Beating the blues on Monday 19th January
Hope For The Community presents Hope Monday, a free webinar for wellbeing.
Feeling down on the third Monday of January? You're not alone - it's known as Blue Monday, the saddest day of the year. But there's hope! Social enterprise, Hope For The Community CIC, presents Hope Monday, a free, expert-led wellbeing webinar on Blue Monday to learn strategies for improving your health and beating the winter blues.
On 19th January from 10AM to 3PM, Hope For The Community CIC is spinning Blue Monday around. Instead of wallowing in the woe, join in a celebration of hope, with guided mindfulness, an introduction to creativity, gratitude, and happy songs. Rooted in the evidence-based strategies included in our Hope Programme self-management courses, Hope Monday is designed to lift your mood on what is alleged to be the least happy day of the year.
The webinar is open to the public and registration is free.
Programme of events*
10.00am - 10:05am
Welcome to Hope Monday: opening the door to HOPE 2026 with Dr Anna Carlson
10.05am - 10.15am
The journey of HOPE: A decade of growth and change with Gabriela Matouskova
10:15am - 11:00 am
Your winter recharge: Energy, immunity, and balance with Dr Tim Robinson - Learn simple, effective ways to support your immune system through nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle. Dr Tim Robinson, our Clinical Safety Officer with 30 years’ GP experience, will also answer a selection of questions submitted in advance. https://www.longcoviddoctor.com.
11:00am - 11:15am
COMFORT BREAK
11.15am - 11:45am
Finding calm within: A guided visual journey with Stephen Pearse - You are invited into a calm, supportive space where you can relax and quiet the mind. Enjoy some moments of peace and tranquillity through this guided practice.
11.45am - 12.15pm
Stretch, breathe, restore: A Yoga reset with Rachel Meller - Join a gentle yoga session that focuses on releasing unnecessary muscular tension, whilst regulating the nervous system and finding more comfortable ways to move the body. A gentle practice suitable for all levels of fitness and mobility. This gentle practice is more concerned with finding ways to maintain presence and to give sensing priority over thinking. The session can be done from a chair.
12:15pm - 1:00pm
LUNCH BREAK
1.00pm - 1.45pm
Express yourself: Creativity to uplift and inspire with Mellissa Monsoon - A well regarded and established artist, Mellissa has produced a great body of beautiful work. Experienced in running workshops and artist residencies, Mellissa will help to develop your creativity and explain how it can build confidence and wellbeing. www.mmonsoon.com.
1.45pm - 2.00pm
COMFORT BREAK
2.00pm - 2.30pm
Movement snacks: Micro-moves for everyday vitality with Dr Emma Mehan & Dr Eline Kieft - Join us for a movement snack, a short session of movement, designed to be easily accessible and encourage even small amounts of gentle movement. These snacks are based on ‘somatic practices’ or activities that bring awareness to your body and mind. They are designed especially for those living with chronic pain, or working with them.
2.30pm - 2.55pm
Moments of stillness: A mindfulness practice, Dr Liz Sparkes - Compassion practice to soothe the mind and body. Nurturing for sleep, reducing anxiety and bringing balance. Dr Liz Sparkes, intuitive Coach, and Reiki Master has been working with individuals and groups for 14 years. Initially providing support as a health psychologist to enable positive changes to health, mindset, support for long term illness and pain.
She also works with NHS, Charities and Trusts supporting individuals and groups in areas including grief and loss, stress and self-compassion. Liz leads live mindfulness practice sessions on our Hope Programme courses. www.drlizsparkes.com.
2.55pm - 3.00pm
Carrying Hope forward: HOPE for 2026 - Explaining what Hope has to offer for 2026! www.h4c.org.uk/courses
*Subject to alteration, updated schedules will be posted on the day if required.
