17 November, 2025
Some glorious autumn colours on show this week with Steven Blinston sharing great pictures from the Kirklees Mental Health Lantern Parade, and a recent personal walk in Yorkshire, while I spotted a lovely view (below) on a rare clear day of late between Bristol & Bath.
And we asked what ‘comfort’ means to you and some of the responses are included below – keep them coming!
Watch this space, too, for details coming shortly of the ‘January Challenge’; 31 days of quick creative prompts designed to spark confidence, conversation and connection. Each creative prompt is designed by brilliant 2026 ambassadors to set your mind on an adventure and brighten up the coldest, darkest month of the year. Details coming soon!
Whatever your preferred way of creative expression, we love to hear from you – and if you want to send us something that doesn’t quite fit the current ‘comfort’ theme, send it anyway, we always love to see the different creative sparks from throughout the Waythrough community.
David Mitchell – Re Create
Lantern Parade in Crow Nest Park in Dewsbury, World Mental Health Day, 9th October 2025
On a dry but slightly chilly Autumn evening in Crow Nest Park in Dewsbury, the Working Together Better Partnership and external providers gathered to Celebrate World Mental Health Day with the annual Lantern parade.
As dusk fell and the shadows lengthened, the public and staff lit up their lanterns that had been made by people we support and staff members in workshops the previous weeks, accompanied by professional puppeteers with the most amazing lit-up creations of creatures.
A lovely young girl accompanied by her father got to take home the rather gorgeous teddy bear after correctly guessing his name from a list.
We spent most of the time engaging with the public and explaining about the importance of wellbeing and the services that Waythrough offer. People were very engaged with the topic of mental health, and some very open and honest conversations were had.
The event was supported by Waythrough Kirklees Employment Service team, Service Manager Steve Blinston, Employment Adviser Ziona Last, Peer Support and Volunteer Coordinator Karl Jackson-Lander and amazing Peer Champion/Volunteer Hailey Roebuck.
Fabulous pictures by Steven Blinston, taken in the grounds of the famous Shibden Hall in West Yorkshire
And previously…..
30 October, 2025
I don’t know about you but growing up in the 1980s, Hallow’een was never a really big deal, not the way it seems to be now. I remember telling a few ghost stories and doing a bit of trick or treating, but I never recall seeing adults dressing up in Hallow’een costumes or the shops being full of themed items for weeks on end! I guess everything gets bigger when there’s money to be made.
In Mexico and other Latin American countries, ‘The Day of the Dead’ is commemorated around the same time, but there are significant differences between this and Hallow’een. It’s less about fear and horror, and more about celebrating those who have passed. We were delighted to receive a ‘calaverita’ (featured below) written by Aisha, a community researcher with Waythrough, based around this festival. “This is tradition in Mexican culture around the Day of the Dead; we write this style of “poem” to celebrate people that have passed but also mock death a little. Hope you like it, this one is about Durham!”
Also this week, I was made instantly hungry opening the Re Create inbox and finding two delicious-looking cakes, judged to be the best in a ‘mystery cake bake’ at Holder House in Oxfordshire. More from Holder House below, too, including some fabulous & very honest writing & poetry by Wilf; and also from REACH – Dorset.
We asked what ‘comfort’ means to you and some of the responses are included below – keep them coming!
Whatever your preferred way of creative expression, we love to hear from you – and if you want to send us something that doesn’t quite fit the current ‘comfort’ theme, send it anyway, we always love to see the different creative sparks from throughout the Waythrough community.
David Mitchell – Re Create
“We wanted to show off how Holder House is run by matching managers. Do any other places in Waythrough have such stylish bosses we wonder?” – Well, Tess Dunkley has posed the question – over to you, Waythrough services!!
16 October, 2025
Such a succinct and important message in this evocative video by REACH-Dorset’s talented Community Development Coordinator Karl, made for Recovery Month. A reminder that there is no universal schedule for healing, nor should we compare our progress to others; it is a personal and non-linear journey.
We asked what ‘comfort’ means to you and some of the responses are included below – keep them coming! Also this week, some fabulous contributions from our Kirklees service, from REACH-Dorset’s ‘Recovery Through Art’ group, and an environmental art activity at Together – Devon.
Whatever your preferred way of creative expression, we love to hear from you – and if you want to send us something that doesn’t quite fit the current ‘comfort’ theme, send it anyway, we always love to see the different creative sparks from throughout the Waythrough community.
David Mitchell – Re Create
My Dogs Elvis and Cash
Comfort is Elvis curling close at night,
his steady breath, his eyes so bright.
It’s Cash’s grin, that goofy face,
the way his tail turns gloom to grace.
It’s muddy paws upon the floor,
a wagging welcome at the door.
It’s laughter when they race and play,
and peace when they both choose to stay.
Elvis knows just when I ache,
he leans in softly, no mistake.
Cash will nudge and make me smile,
as if to say, “Sit down a while.”
Comfort lives in moments small
the quiet heartbeats, after all.
It’s in their fur, their faith, their trust,
a love that never gathers dust.
When life feels heavy, cold, or grey,
they’re the warmth that lights my day.
No words are needed, no grand display,
just Elvis and Cash — my heart’s own way.
So, if you ask what comfort means to me,
it’s them — my boys, my family.
Through every storm, through joy and pain,
they bring me home again and again.
Tara Bennett, Team Manager, Waythrough Hampshire
First published in ‘Your Voice in Kirklees’, made up of contributions by people throughout Kirklees who use our service or who have lived experience of mental ill health.
Recovery Through Art group, Weymouth
The German artist Joseph Beuys once said: “Everybody is an artist” – meaning that each person has a multitude of pathways for their artistic or creative expression.
A volunteer and peer-led art group at Reach – Dorset has been running for over 10 years. Anyone can join to express their creative side or just come along for a chat. In Autumn 2024 the idea was born that the group wanted to display their art creations in the community, which was supported and organised by the Community Development team.
Using artistic expression as a vehicle on the pathway to recovery allows people to visualise what cannot be expressed in words, and their thoughts and feelings to calm down and relax whilst being engrossed in creative and artistic activities. The simple act of creating something is almost transformative in itself. The service users often would not describe themselves as artists, but say: “I’m not good at art.” However, when they look at the product of their creativity, they feel proud, a sense of achievement, and uplifted by the positive experience. The Reach Art group allows people to connect and share their lived experiences as well as supporting each other and learning new skills or techniques.
16 September, 2025
We love receiving poetry – and we’re really pleased to be able to feature a selection this month by Mehdi Golriz Khatami, from the Life Experience Council.
Check out, too, some fabulous artwork (right) from the Reach Dorset peer-led art group’s ‘Recovery Through Art’ exhibition and charity auction which is happening this month! Plenty more of their work can be found on Reach Dorset’s page under our ‘Galleries’ tab.
Keep sending us your creative sparks – whether group activities or individual works, we greatly enjoy featuring it on our pages and building our Waythrough creative community.
David Mitchell – Re Create
