No More January Blues is back

Last year we had such a ball at the No More January Blues event. It spread over a weekend and attracted more than a hundred people, from little kids to grannies, who joined the fun activities we had planned. The focus was on wellbeing and self-care, sharing the Take 5 steps. At the Duncairn we believe the arts are to play a fundamental role in keeping us sane and happy, especially in a year like the one we just had. Of course, we would not allow 2021 to go by without our dose of No More January Blues!

This year everything is different. Organisers Debbie Young and Justine Brown share a few thoughts with us about their No More January Blues plans for 2021

We just love our No More January Blues weekenders, but sadly no chance of delivering it 2021! However, we're not ones to be held back!! The team were delighted to be given the opportunity to partner with the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust and our good friend and colleague Justine Brown, to put a bit of a spin on it this year. We got creative and came up with the Northern Lights Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing Online Event – hopefully shinning a little bit of light over north Belfast with some fun daily tasks.      

During this time of global uncertainty, shifting social connections and working conditions, it is more important than ever that we nurture an approach to life and work that embodies a sense of kindness and compassion for others and ourselves. One of the greatest challenges facing humanity is how to stimulate compassionate ways of connecting, relating, thinking and taking care of each other for the benefit of all.

The Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing has five key messages, Connect, Give, Keep Learning, Take Notice and Be Active - these are the five ways that can help boost our wellbeing. Each of these actions or way to wellbeing makes a positive difference to how we feel. A person may find that just one of these things in particular will be beneficial. Just being aware of these messages and incorporating one or more into daily life can make a difference to how we feel...improving our emotional health and wellbeing.  

In the week beginning 22nd Feb, we will be putting out daily Facebook broadcasts; little mini videos that will touch on the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing messages. We want our community to take 5 minutes to have a think about the 'theme of the day', to put it into practice, take a photo of whatever they've decided to do and post/comment on our Facebook page. The added bonus is the chance to win a prize of £150 cash!! We have 5 prizes to give away which is amazing, but our real wish is that people will see how easy it is to factor these feel good themes into their day, every day...adding a little light, particularly during this difficult time.

Justine & Debbie

In short, save the date and connect to the Duncairn Facebook page the week starting on the 22nd of February. Take a part in the challenges, share, comment, and good luck winning that cash!