Welland
Welland is our wellbeing project in Elland, including an annual community festival as well as year-round activities. Welland provides opportunities for Elland’s community to come together, be creative, and express themselves. We enable local people to explore and try new things that not only benefit their individual wellbeing but also strengthen community spirit.
This year’s theme is ‘Positive Futures’.
We are delighted to announce that, thanks to funding from Calderdale Council and local sponsors Suma Wholefoods, we have been able to adapt our activities for 2020 and have some brilliant new offerings – check them out below!
‘Curiously Creative’ Virtual Schools’ Workshops
Supporting the resilience and wellbeing of children in Elland through dance and creativity.
Created specifically in response to the pandemic, we want to support teachers and schools in providing opportunities for their pupils to connect back with each other, express themselves, and learn in a way that is fun and inspiring.
Each virtual sessions is created specifically for a key stage, and there’s sessions for early years all the way up to key stage 4!
Join our brilliant dance artists, Matt and Jess, to support children with their learning and wellbeing, including:
- Empathy
- Resilience
- Communication and team work
- Processing experiences
- Self expression
- Fun and joy!
SESSIONS ARE FREE FOR ALL SCHOOLS IN ELLAND & CALDERDALE
Well and Happy Boxes
A little box of happiness delivered straight to the homes of vulnerable adults in Elland.
Created specifically for people who have limited or no access to digital/online support, and/or those who are vulnerable in and around Elland, our boxes consist of beautiful and creative products and resources that promote, joy, connection, and creativity.
We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response and all 50 boxes have now been allocated!
We’re working on providing more through the Move The Calderdale Way Challenge – sponsor our team here.
Online dance & wellbeing sessions
Weekly classes have been running throughout lockdown and continue into the Autumn.
Choose from contemporary dance, fun for people over 55, or enjoy audio relaxation sessions.
Check them all out here.
More to come soon!
Welland’s Story
Welland was started in 2018 by Sam and Susan, in response to conversations with local residents and small business owners in the community – many commented on a lack of opportunities available in the town, and the need for new, positive activity that helps to strengthen community spirit and improve wellbeing.
So, in June 2018 we piloted a one day festival, bringing together local wellbeing practitioners, artists, and organisations to provide a range of new activities the community could get involved in for free!
It was a huge success, and so in 2019 we extended the main event to a full weekend, and also ran a series of individual opportunities, including community walks, a workplace wellbeing networking event, and a series of ‘spark meetings‘ where the community could give us their ideas.
We received lots of positive feedback from local people, and many of them were keen to access activities on a regular basis, so Welland now consists of a variety of offerings at different points each year.
About Elland
Elland is a Yorkshire market town with a fascinating heritage – it celebrated it’s 700th birthday in 2017!
Elland was recorded as Elant in the Domesday Book. The town’s name is derived from the Old English meaning ‘land by the water, river or land partly or wholly surrounded by water’ (wikipedia).
Excitingly, there’s lots of development planned for Elland over the next decade, including a new train station, a community hub, and redevelopment of the town centre.
You can find out more about Elland on Visit Calderdale.
Move Well, Live Well 2019
Welland 2019 saw a vibrant mix of workshops, activities, and performances for people of all ages to get moving, and explore ways to live happier, more connected lives.
An incredible 1178 people participated in our activities and we collaborated with 54 practitioners, artists, and organisations.
We also coincided with Global Wellness Day and took part in Children’s Art Week, enabling us to bring new, diverse, and exciting opportunities to our community.
Huge thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund, Calderdale Council, and the amazing local businesses and organisations who helped fund Welland 2019.
2018 – Welland Begins!
The very first Welland!
Our one-day pilot event where we brought together practitioners, support services, and artists in and around Elland to explore what wellness means for our community.
