Horton Housing Harrogate StayWell

25/09/2025

Harrogate Stay Well's History Group enjoyed a trip out to Ripley Castle. We learned more about the history of the castle, spanning over 700 years. There have been many royal associations with the castle and it was an interesting place to visit. Everyone enjoyed walking around in the sunshine.

22/09/2025

17/09/2025

Journaling for Beginners: How to Start and Stick with It

Journaling is a hobby, a passion, and a helpful habit. It supports creativity, emotional wellbeing, and self-expression. For many people, it's an undiscovered outlet. One that’s just waiting to be explored.
But how do you start journaling? And more importantly, how do you stick to it?
If you're curious but haven't yet taken the leap into keeping a journal, this guide is for you. We’ll cover what journaling is, how to start in a way that feels easy, and how to make it a lasting part of your routine.
What Is Journaling?
Journaling is writing things down. Your thoughts. Your feelings. Your experiences. Quotes, ideas, memories. Anything that lives in your mind and heart. It can be used for self-reflection. For processing emotions. For getting to know yourself better.
Sometimes it’s like a chat with yourself. It can be raw and honest or light and creative. There’s no right or wrong way to do it.
At first, the words might feel stuck. Like a tap that’s hard to turn. But each time you write, the flow gets easier. The more you do it, the more natural it feels. Over time, journaling becomes a calming process. One where your thoughts and creativity spill onto the page.
It might not feel like that on day one. And that’s okay. Like any new habit, it takes time.
What Do I Need to Start Journaling?
Just blank pages and a pen. You can use any notebook. Some are labelled “journals.” Others are just regular notepads or diaries. Choose what feels right.
If you’re not sure where to begin, try a guided journal with prompts. These ask helpful questions to get your thoughts flowing. They're a great option for beginners who want a little structure.
Prefer something more open? A simple lined notebook is perfect for traditional journaling.
If you like visuals and creativity, look into bullet journaling. This style lets you use stickers, washi tape, doodles, or anything that helps you express your day. A dot grid or plain page journal works well for this.
You can also journal digitally. But we believe that taking time away from screens can be grounding. Writing by hand helps you connect with your thoughts in a deeper way.
Try journaling outside, in the park or at the beach. It turns the process into a mindful ritual.
How to Start Journaling
If you're wondering how to start journaling, the key is to keep it simple.
Ask yourself:
• Do I want to be creative?
• Am I trying to process my emotions?
• Do I want structure and guidance?
Pick a style that fits your goal. Then start small. Really small. Even one sentence every few days is enough.
Write about your day, how you're feeling, or what stood out.
You can also use gentle prompts to guide you:
• What’s your mood today?
• How did you sleep?
• What would make tomorrow better?
If you want to get creative, doodle the day of the week, add a sticker, or use colourful pens. Journaling doesn’t have to be serious.
For visual inspiration, Pinterest has loads of ideas and templates for bullet journaling.
There are so many ways to get creative with your journaling. You can even pop a tiny QR code into your pages as a digital touch. Print one and link it to a photo album, video or playlist. It’s a lovely way to connect your handwriting to a digital memory. Bridging old and new in one journal spread.
How to Stick with Journaling
Building a new habit is tough. Research shows it can take between 18 and 254 days for a habit to stick. On average, around 66 days of repetition helps it become part of your routine.
Here are four tips to help you stick to journaling:
1. Keep it close
Carry your journal with you. Pick one that's small and light, with a pen clipped on. If it’s nearby, you’re more likely to use it.
2. Make it visible
Put your journal where you'll see it every day. Try your nightstand, desk, or sofa table. Keep a pen next to it so there’s no friction when you want to write.
3. Pair it with another habit
This is called habit stacking. Link journaling to something you already do, like after brushing your teeth or making tea. For example, if you always put on comfy socks before bed, keep your journal in the sock drawer as a reminder. Write a few lines as soon as those socks go on.
4. Keep it light
Don’t force yourself to write pages every night. That can feel overwhelming. Start small and relaxed. The goal is to enjoy the process.
We hope this helped you understand what journaling is and how to get started. Most of all, we hope it showed you that journaling can be whatever you want it to be.
Whether it’s creative or reflective. Daily or once a week. Messy or minimal.
Your journal is your space.

15/09/2025

How Do You Engage in Self-Care?
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to engage in self-care. You can read about self-care strategies, join self-care groups, or work with mental health professional. No matter what you choose, the goal is to figure out which self-care strategies work best for you, learn how to use these strategies, and use them in your regular routine so you can boost your well-being not only today but forever.
Here are some ways to get started with your self-care.
1. Make sleep part of your self-care routine.
Sleep can have a huge effect on how you feel both emotionally and physically. Not getting enough can even cause major health issues. But stress and other distractions can wreak havoc on our sleep.
What do you do to make sleep part of a self-care routine? Start by thinking about your nightly routine. Are you eating or drinking immediately before bed? If so, it's especially important to stay away from caffeine and sugar, which tend to keep you awake.
Reducing stress is also key. If you have work-related stress, think about the best ways to calm yourself after a hard day or relax more while on the job. You might talk to your employer about lessening your workload.
Next, make sure your bedroom is the best possible place for you to get good REM sleep. It should be free of distractions (such as a television, laptop, mobile phone etc.). And make sure you have room-darkening curtains to keep the sun from waking you up too early in the mornings.
2. Take care of yourself by taking care of your gut.
Your gut health can have a significant impact on your health, well-being, and feelings of vitality. The types of foods you eat crucially impact the bacteria that live in your stomach, resulting in a cascade of either positive or negative outcomes.
3. Exercise daily as part of your self-care routine.
We all know exercise is good for us, but do we really know how good it is? Daily exercise can help you both physically and mentally, boosting your mood and reducing stress and anxiety, not to mention helping you shed extra weight.
Of course, it might be hard to go to the gym every day, so try to find other exercises that you enjoy, such as walking, tennis, or yoga, which may be able to do more easily. The most important thing is to create a routine that works for you.
4. Eat right for self-care.
The food we eat has the potential to either keep us healthy or contribute to weight gain or diseases such as diabetes, but it can also keep our minds working and alert. Eating the right foods can help prevent short-term memory loss and inflammation, both of which can have long-term effects on the brain and, in turn, the rest of the body. Some of the most amazing self-care foods include fatty fish, blueberries, nuts, green leafy veggies, and brassicas, like broccoli.
5. Say no to others and say yes to your self-care.
Learning to say no is really hard; many of us feel obligated to say yes when someone asks for our time or energy. However, if you’re already stressed or overworked, saying yes to loved ones or coworkers can lead to burnout, anxiety, and irritability. It may take a little practice, but once you learn how to politely say no, you'll start to feel more self-confident, and you'll have more time for your self-care.

09/09/2025

SELF CARE SEPTEMBER
Self-Care September is a month-long event dedicated to promoting self-care activities that improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In today’s fast-paced world, taking time for self-care is essential to keeping a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Self-Care September encourages you to take part in in activities that nurture your health, such as mindfulness, regular exercise, setting boundaries, and prioritising rest.
Shift your focus from demands from others to personal wellness, remind yourself that self-care is not selfish but a necessary part of a fulfilling life. By doing self-care routines, you can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and enhance their overall quality of life. Self-Care September also serves as a reminder to check in with oneself and make conscious decisions that support long-term health.
Throughout the month, the focus is on building regular self-care habits that can be carried forward. From digital detoxes to creative outlets like journaling or art, Self-Care September is about finding what works best for you and making self-care a priority every day.

08/09/2025

WORKSHOPS AND GROUPS NEWS
The new virtual Games/Quiz Group started on Tuesday 2nd September. This is a great way for people to join in and have some social contact without leaving home. Please log on and have some fun.
The Knaresborough Games Group met on Tuesday 2nd September. The group welcomed six new people. They enjoyed a quiz and other fun games were played on the day.

The History Group outing to Ripley Castle is on Tuesday 9th September. There will be a short overview of the history of the castle, leading to discussion afterwards. The outing will include free entry into the gardens and a free hot or cold drink during the visit. There will also be crisps and biscuits for everyone, courtesy of Harrogate Stay Well. The Group will meet at 11.30am in Community House Reception. The visit is expected to last approximately 2 hours. Everyone will be brought back to Community House after 2pm approx. People can either travel in staff cars or meet at the Ripley Castle carpark.

The Creative Writing and Drawing Group is meeting this Thursday 11th September from 2.20pm to 3.20pm. Please come along as this is a great way to meet people and have better emotional wellbeing.

The Photography Group meets on Tuesday 9th September from 10.15am to 11.15am. You don’t need a camera to join the group as all photos are taken on phones. It’s a good way to make friends and share ideas.

Helen is aiming to start the Emotional Resilience 3-week Workshop on Tuesday 16th September from 1.30pm to 2.40pm.
Everyone is welcome just get in touch to let us know you are interested.

If you are interested in any of the Harrogate Staywell groups and Workshops or would like to know more about our service, contact: Harrogatestaywell@hortonhousing.co.uk.

26/08/2025

Harrogate Staywell Group News


The History Group met last Thursday. We watched a video on Middleham Castle and talked about its history. It was an interesting discussion .

The Games Group, Knaresborough met on Tuesday 19th August. Everyone enjoyed playing Bingo and other quiz games.

The Happiness Workshop finished this week and participants received their certificates of completion. Check out the photos we posted to mark the occasion!


DON’T FORGET
There will be no groups running 25th – 29th August due to staff holidays

The first virtual Games Quiz Group starts on Tuesday 2nd September from 1.30pm to 2.30pm helping people who find it difficult come into Community House, to engage from home.

The History Group will be going on an outing to Ripley Castle on Tuesday 9th September. There will be a short overview of the history of the castle, leading to discussion afterwards. The outing will include free entry into the gardens and a free hot or cold drink during the visit. There will also be crisps and biscuits for all participants, courtesy of Harrogate Stay Well. The Group will meet at 11.30am in Community House Reception. The visit is expected to last approximately 2 hours. All participants will be brought back to Community House after 2pm approx. Participants going on the trip can either travel in staff cars or meet at the Ripley Castle carpark. Let us know asap if you are interested in this outing.

If you are interested in any groups, workshops or want to know more about the Harrogate Staywell contact: harrogatestaywell@horton.housing.co.uk

21/08/2025

Harrogate Stay Well's Improving Happiness Workshop was completed by two participants this week. They both enjoyed exploring and discussing ways to improve happiness. They also looked at creative and reflective ways of improving happiness. Both received Certificates of Achievement. A big well done for putting in this work :)

18/08/2025

EXCITING NEWS!

New virtual Groups starting up in September. The first one will be a virtual Games Quiz Group on Tuesday 2nd September from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. This Group will help people who find it difficult come into Community House, to join in from home.

The History Group will be going on an outing to Ripley Castle on Tuesday 9th September. There will be a short overview of the history of the castle and discussion afterwards. The outing will include free entry into the gardens and a free hot or cold drink during the visit. There will also be crisps and biscuits for all participants, courtesy of Harrogate Stay Well. The Group will meet at 11.30am in Community House Reception. The visit is expected to last approximately 2 hours. Everyone will be brought back to Community House after 2pm approx. Participants going on the trip can either travel in staff cars or meet at the Ripley Castle carpark. All participants need to confirm their place as soon as possible.

Workshop and Group News

The History Group meets on this Thursday 21st August from 10.15am to 11.15am.

The Creative Drawing and Writing Group meets on Thursday 21st August from 1.15pm to 2.15pm.

The Games Group, Knaresborough, runs on Tuesday 19th August from 11am to 12 noon.

If you are interested in any groups or workshops or would like to find out more about the Harrogate Staywell Scheme contact.
Harrogatestaywell@hortonhousing.co.uk

30/07/2025

“The Big Listen”
Samaritans encourage people in crisis to get in touch because often just having a conversation and feeling heard and listened to can alleviate some distress, even if nothing is resolved. Better still, talking about what’s bothering you can give you a new perspective on your situation or help you to see things differently.
Talking to the Samaritans or someone you know and trust can be the first step in the right direction to start taking action and feeling better.
So how common are mental health difficulties?
One in four will experience a mental health difficulty each year in England. More than 1 in 20 people will make a su***de attempt at one point in their lives. And many more will contemplate su***de.
If in crisis, knowing that organisations like Samaritans are waiting for your call can prevent people from acting on suicidal plans and pick up the phone to seek support instead.
With these figures in mind, the chances are that you or someone you know has been affected by su***de either directly or indirectly. Therefore, it has never been more important to know how to help yourself and how to help others.
Have you been feeling distressed recently?
Maybe you have been in crisis before or wondered if you should talk to someone and how you can take the next step. Keeping the theme of “The Big Listen” in mind, seeking support for your mental health in the form of talking therapy could help.
Psychological therapies have a robust evidence base to suggest clinical effectiveness; this means most people who receive evidence-based treatments report reduction in their symptoms and increased ability to function in their lives. There are many kinds of talking therapies but only those with a strong evidence base such as cognitive behavioural therapy are available through your GP.Taking the first step can be daunting, so if you’re unsure, view it as a nothing-to-lose approach.
Are you feeling OK, but you’re worried about someone else?
Census-wide carried out a recent study in early 2023 which revealed that only 50% of UK adults said they would feel confident approaching someone they didn’t know if they had concerns about them in public, despite there being no evidence to suggest that asking someone if they are OK will make them feel worse.
Maybe you’ve noticed explicit or more subtle changes in a friend or family member recently. We’re all used to asking, “How are you?”, but asking, “How has your mood been recently?” can encourage the person to talk about what’s bothering them.
So how can I take the next steps?
Whether this article has been relevant for you or for someone on your mind, you’ll find the contacts of useful services below.
Start by talking to a trusted friend, family member or health professional. Having the numbers to hand could be a life saver.
Contact Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123 – if you prefer to text, you can start a conversation by texting SHOUT to 85258.
”

28/07/2025

The Photography Group met on Tuesday 22nd July. Participants decided to accept the challenge of taking 10 photographs in 10 minutes. They chose their best 3 photos to change and edit. They wrote about each photo, explaining why they had taken it and why they liked it. One participant wrote about the photo below “The picture is a happy photo, showing signs of wildlife, as there is a bush in the middle of the sign. I added an effect of sharpness so you could see the detail and colours of the bush come through in the picture.”


The Knaresborough Games Group meets next Tuesday 29th July from 11am to 12 noon.

The Games Group, Harrogate, meets on Tuesday 29th July next from 2pm to 3pm.

The Improving Happiness Workshop is starting on Tuesday 5th August from 1.30pm to 2.40pm. The course will run over 2 weeks. This workshop helps participants to improve their happiness and change their outlook, by finding new ways to improve daily lifestyle.

If you are interested in any groups, activities or would like to find out more about Harrogate Staywell contact; Harrogatestaywell@hortonhousing.co.uk