Community Links Engagement and Recovery Service (CLEAR)

See here or watch the video below to find out what’s available from CLEAR and partner organisations in Kirklees.

About the service

Community Links Engagement and Recovery (CLEAR) is a group-based recovery-focused health and wellbeing service for individuals with mental health needs including dementia. We provide a range of social, leisure and skills-based activities which aim to develop confidence, motivation and self-reliance. These groups are also a chance to meet others, socialise and make friends.

The service is open to anyone over 18 who lives within the Kirklees area who feels they may benefit from groups offering wellbeing support. Support is delivered via group activities and self-help courses, with 1:1 meetings every 12 weeks with a keyworker to support progress.

We are also able offer specific support to ex-service personnel and have carried out research into the barriers to this group accessing mental health services. We are working alongside several military organisations to provide support to this client group around mental health and wellbeing.

As well as a regular timetable of groups, courses and drop-ins, CLEAR runs many trips, special events and days out to help you build your confidence, social skills and physical health. In the past we’ve been on walks in the countryside, trips to theme parks and put on Christmas parties.

We are open seven days a week including evenings and weekends.

Monday – Friday 9am – 8pm
Saturday and Sunday – 10am – 5pm

Referrals

We accept referrals from other professionals, or via self-referrals.

Download a CLEAR referral form and email to clear.dewsbury@commlinks.co.uk or clear.huddersfield@commlinks.co.uk or telephone 01924 465054 or 01484 519097.

Groups

We run a wide range of groups and activities for our service users during the week and at weekends in Huddersfield and Dewsbury. Visit our CLEAR groups page for more information.

Community engagement

As well as groups and courses we run activities in the community.

Men’s Talk

Facilitated by Community Engagement and Development Worker Stuart Hawkes and supported by previous participants, Men’s Talk is a performance and advocacy project for men who have experienced mental health issues. Men’s Talk uses applied theatre techniques to build participants’ confidence, develop their skills, surface and shape material and create platforms where their voices can be heard.

Workshops are held each Tuesday at:
Brigantia, 5th Floor, Empire House Wakefield Old Road, Dewsbury, WF12 8DJ

If you are interested in taking part, would like more information or would like to book a performance or a place on the workshop programme, either call Stuart on 07391 868752 or email stuart.hawkes@commlinks.co.uk

Keep up to date with Men’s Talk’s recent projects by following the Facebook page

Brain In Hand

Brain in Hand is an App, and website which can help you access strategies 24/7 to get through the day.  There is also human support for when you are struggling, which is accessed via a traffic light alert system. Brain in Hand can be used to identify and implement strategies for overcoming barriers and setting practical goals including;

• Ability to start, attend or remain in work or education
• Improved independence during travel
• Ability to regulate emotions, manage anxiety or mood

It allows you to;

• Identify situations you find difficult and plan coping strategies in advance on the Brain in Hand website
• Access pre-planned solutions via the Brain in Hand app wherever and whenever to keep your day on track
• Record the situations you find difficult and the solutions you use
• Use the Traffic Lights, to monitor progress and manage anxiety
• Highlight a specific difficulty or request help when you need it

Brain in Hand Kirklees is for people who are impacted by anxiety or other mental health conditions, or are neurodivergent or have problems remembering things in the moment.  To fit the criteria you must also be over the age of 18, live in Kirklees, have a smart phone and have basic computer skills.

To find out more, or make a referral please email BraininHandKirklees@commlinks.co.uk

You can read the Brain in Hand Annual Report 22/23, here.

The CLEAR service is funded by Kirklees Council, North Kirklees CCG and Greater Huddersfield CCG.

CLEAR holds the Kirklees Volunteering Quality Award.

To celebrate World Mental Health Day 2021, the Working Together Better partnership services in Kirklees came together to host a community lantern parade.

Listen to an interview on Al Mubarak Radio with David, the CLEAR Anti-Stigma Project Manager. David is working with groups in Kirklees to reduce stigma around mental health.