Courses, Events and Workshops

Moving with the Seasons (Over 55s)

A 44-week mindful movement programme across the year for people in Darwen and Blackburn living with long-term illness who currently do under 30-60 minutes of exercise a week and want gentle support to build towards the NHS guideline of 150 minutes plus per week

Moving with the Seasons blends gentle movement, mindful body awareness and easy breath practices to improve strength, balance, flexibility and mood. Sessions are beginner-friendly and adaptable to all levels of mobility (including chair-based options). Each season follows the rhythms of nature and the energetic focus of  Zen Yoga.

Winter theme (Jan–Mar): cultivating rest and steady energy with a focus on the kidneys & bladder meridian pathways.

How it works

• Format: 60 minutes of guided movement + 30   minutes herbal tea & social time
• Approach: the 3 intertwined aspects of   practice 
  1. Physical alignment
  2. Healthy energy flow
  3. Mindful awareness of the body

Who it’s for:

   Adults 55+ with a long-term condition who are new or returning to activity

Beginners welcome. No floor work required unless you want it; chairs provided.

Winter 2026 dates & venues (11 weeks)

• Blackburn (Mondays, 2:00–3:30 pm)
  5 Jan – 16 Mar 2026 at Shadsworth Hub, Blackburn
• Darwen (Fridays, 11:00 am–12:30 pm)
  9 Jan – 20 Mar 2026 at Springvale Methodist Church, Watery Lane,      Darwen

(We then flow into the Spring season; venues and times stay the same.)

Cost

Voluntary contribution: £1 per week , £11 for the whole winter block.

Accessibility & safety

• Trauma-informed, welcoming of all faiths and backgrounds
• Seated and standing options offered throughout
• You will be asked to complete a health questionnaire before commencing .

Booking (limited places)

Pre-booking is essential. Scan the QR code on the poster or visit www.reconnection2wellness.orgto reserve your place.

Thank you again to Sport England for making this happen.

 Join us for a welcoming start to our seasonal journey of “Thriving with the Seasons” Listen to the local history and explore aligning with the seasons. Find out more about Thriving with the Seasons project in Darwen  https://thrivingwithseasons.com/  Brought to you by www.reconnection2wellness.org 

 1.00–4.00pm- FOR THOSE ON THE GROWING COURSE IN DARWEN ON THURSDAYS

Build Your Own Planter/Raised bed  with Shaun Roberts at Whitton Park Greenhouse Project + Mindful conscious movement & Zen Taiso 

Learn how to build your own planter and take it home ready to use. Finished with Zen Taiso to get mobilised and ready for spring. Nothing needed – just bring yourself.  MUST BOOK AS WE WILL PROVIDE WOOD AND TOOLS

A gentle 8-week Zen & Mindfulness course Expect to see drops in stress levels, improved mood and an increased sense of wellbeing.

Similar to the Jon Kabat Zin MBSR clinics.

The taster session is a chance to try the approach, meet others, and see if you’d like to join the full course.

Growing Thursdays

12 March onwards | 10.30am–12.30pm
Location: Turncroft Allotment / Bud-dees Growing Darwen

Practical, hands-on growing sessions focused on making the most of small spaces (no allotment or big garden needed). We’ll grow skills and confidence together, and we’ll encourage you to learn alongside neighbours and others in the growing community, because this is how we used to live: growing what we can, and supporting each other.

Places are limited so booking essential . 

Just book on one date - you dont need to book each week or email 

This is a guided Spring Forage Walk with Pete Compo (Pendle Plant Craft). We’ll learn to spot and identify seasonal wild plants, talk about safe and respectful foraging, and explore how spring greens can support energy and vitality at this time of year.  After the walk we’ll gather for spring tonic making and herbal teas, with a few simple hints and tips for back garden food growing too. A real community session that blends learning, fresh air, and that “ahhh” feeling you get when you slow down outdoors.  Date: Sunday 22 March 2026 Time: 1.00pm to 4.00pm Meeting point: Whitehall Park Rose Garden, Darwen  What to expect  Guided foraging walk with Pete (Pendle Plant Craft)  Learning how to identify common spring plants and their uses  Safety guidance: what to pick, what to avoid, how to forage ethically  Spring tonic making + herbal teas afterwards  Space to share what you’re growing this year (even if it’s just a few pots)  Who it’s for  All ages welcome  Beginners absolutely welcome (no experience needed)  Donations are welcome to put towards our costs to ensure our organisation sustainability. Please click on paypal link below OR of course we have a donation tin on the day. Thankyou

  Spring into the Kitchen Springvale Church, Darwen with Beccy Jones -Beccy Jones Health Solutions   Spring into the Kitchen is a friendly, hands-on cook-up session all about simple spring food and building confidence in the kitchen, without anything fancy or intimidating.    We’ll be cooking together, learning a few seasonal basics, and sharing ideas you can actually take home and use. Think practical skills, good chat, and that lovely feeling of eating something you’ve made with your own hands.    This session is delivered with Beccy Jones (Beccy Jones Health Solutions), who’s brilliant at making healthy food feel doable, grounding, and enjoyable.  Date: Saturday 11 April 2026 Time: 1.00pm to 3.30pm Location: Springvale Church, Watery Lane, Darwen  What to expect A relaxed, welcoming cook-up (you do not need to be “good at cooking”)  Simple seasonal learning focused on spring ingredients  Confidence-boosting tips you can repeat at home  A warm, community vibe, no pressure, no judgement  Time to eat together and connect  Who it’s for Anyone who wants to feel more confident in the kitchen  People who want fresh inspiration for spring meals  If you’re part of the Thriving with the Seasons community, this is a gorgeous add-on, but you can also come as a stand-alone event  Donations are kindly received to help us with keeping our organisation sustainable. Please click on the paypal button below or we have a donation tin on the day. Thankyou 

 Bumble Bee Safari Walk is a slow, gentle wander through Whitehall Park where we’ll actively look for bumblebees, identify different species, and notice the flowers they’re visiting.  This is not a hike and it’s not a lecture. It’s a calm, curious afternoon outdoors, perfect if you love nature, want to learn a little more about pollinators, or simply fancy slowing down and paying attention to what’s alive around you.  Date: Sunday 17 May 2026 Time: 1.00pm to 4.00pm Meeting point: Rose Garden, Whitehall Park, Darwen  What we’ll do  Learn how to spot bumblebees safely and respectfully  Practice simple identification (no prior knowledge needed)  Notice what’s in bloom and which plants bumbles are drawn to  Enjoy a mindful, nature-based walk with plenty of pauses  Who it’s for  All abilities and all ages (children welcome with a responsible adult)  Anyone interested in bumblebees, wildflowers, gardening, biodiversity, or gentle wellbeing outdoors  Beginners especially welcome  What to bring  Weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes  A drink, and a snack if you’d like  Optional: phone/camera for photos (no need for specialist kit)  Important notes  This is an outdoor event, so it will go ahead in light rain. If conditions are unsafe (high winds/heavy rain), we’ll share an update as early as possible.  Booking is essential. Donations are kindly received to help us with keeping our organisation sustainable. Please click on the paypal button below or we have a donation tin on the day. Thankyou More info: thrivingwithseasons.com 

Meet the Bees is a rare chance to get up close to a working rooftop apiary with Roof Top Bees at Cherrytree Community Library, Blackburn.  You’ll be suited up and supported to safely handle the bees in their apiary, while learning what’s really going on inside a hive. We’ll explore the honey and beeswax process, why bees matter so much for biodiversity and food, and what we can do (even in small ways) to support them.  It’s practical, fascinating, and a little bit magic.  Date: Thursday 18 June 2026 Time: 6.00pm to 7.30pm Location: Roof Top Bees, Cherrytree Community Library, Blackburn  What to expect  A guided visit to a rooftop apiary with an experienced beekeeper  Getting suited up and learning how to move calmly and confidently around bees  Insight into hive life, pollination, honey and beeswax  Plenty of time for questions  Who it’s for  Curious beginners (no experience needed)  Nature lovers, gardeners, food growers, and anyone wanting a deeper connection with pollinators  Adults and older teens (children only if you’re confident they can stay calm and follow instructions)  Important info  Limited places. Booking is essential.  Please arrive on time so we can begin the safety briefing together.  Wear covered shoes and comfortable clothing (details about protective gear will be shared after booking).  If you have a known allergy to bee stings, please do not book unless you’ve discussed it with us first.  To book: dawn@reconnection2wellness.org  More info: thrivingwithseasons.com Brought to you by reconnection2wellness.org in partnership with Roof Top Bees  Donations are kindly received to help us with keeping our organisation sustainable. Please click on the paypal button below or we have a donation tin on the day. Thankyou