The Aberdeenshire Wellbeing Festival is an annual event which brings together community activity and events to promote wellbeing for all. Supporting Mental Health Awareness Week, the theme during this year’s festival is Loneliness.
The Festival programme will run over the week of 9th to 15th May and will bring together a combination of both indoor (covid compliant), outdoor and virtual events.
Listen to Claire (Health and Wellbeing Officer) and Jackie (Reader Development Librarian) talk about the events taking place in our facilities this week as part of the Aberdeenshire Wellbeing Festival programme: Talking Healthy
9th - 13th May, selected locations, no booking required just drop in past
Live Life Aberdeenshire invite you to 'Coffee and Connect' where you can find out what's on offer in our facilities. Enjoy a tour of the venue and what's more, receive a free class added to your account so you can come back and try something new. Free tea and coffee will be provided (and maybe a cake!) as well as books and magazines as part of the Keep the Heid and Read campaign. You can also take advantage of our free health checks and lifestyle advice.
9th May, Alford Ski Centre, 11am - 12.15pm and 7.45pm - 9pm, 13th May, Huntly Nordic Centre, 13.30pm - 14.30pm
Come along and enjoy a beginner ski session and a coffee.
Book now: You will need to be registered with our sports booking system to book a space for this event. Register and book your space - Sport and Physical Activity Booking
9th May, Westhill Library, 1.30pm - 2.30pm, 13th May, Inverurie Library, 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Come along and enjoy a free low-level beginners class starting in a chair and progressing to standing if preferred (option to stay seated). Health checks also available and refreshments provided.
Book Now: Fit for Life Taster Sessions
9th May, Oldmeldrum Library Meldrum Meg Way, 2pm - 3pm
Come along and meet like minded people to enjoy reading and discussing a book together. Your book will be available from library headquarters in Oldmeldrum from Monday the 4th April.
Event Complete
Westhill Library, 9th May 10.30am - 11.30am, 11th May 6pm - 7pm, 13th May 2pm - 3pm
Empower yourself for a natural way to enjoy healthy and joyful living.
Book Now: Meditation and Yoga
From 9th May, various dates, times and locations
Come and join in our Bookbug session of songs, rhymes and stories for you and your little ones.
Book Now: Bookbug Sessions
10th May, Alford Library 2pm - 3.30pm, 13th May, Cruden Bay Library, 11.30am - 1pm
Craft session for adults of all ages where you can try a simple craft using recycled materials or bring your own craft to work on.
Book Now: Adult Craft Session
10th May, virtual session 7pm - 8pm, 11th May, Peterhead Library 1.45pm - 2.45pm, 12th May, Stonehaven Library 1.45pm - 2.45pm
In partnership with NHS Speech and Language therapists, join us for an introduction to Makaton signing. This event is for parents/carers or anyone interested in learning the basics of Makaton to communicate with children using this method of signing.
Book Now: Makaton Taster Session
Ellon Community Campus 11th May 6pm - 7pm and 7pm - 8pm, 14th May 10am - 11am and 11am - 12noon
Come along and join a small group to practice mindfulness, five finger Qi Gong and meditation to relax and improve wellbeing. Optional use of needles on outer ear as alternative is available.
Book now: You will need to be registered with our sports booking system to book a space for this event. Register and book your space - Sport and Physical Activity Booking
12th May Turriff Library, 10am - 4pm
Please contact CLAN to arrange an appointment in order to take advantage of the therapies offered.
Book Now: Contact CLAN on 01779 847176
13th May Nordic Ski Centre, 1.30pm - 2.30pm
A relaxed session of walking with poles followed by a refreshing cuppa.
Book now: You will need to be registered with our sports booking system to book a space for this event. Register and book your space - Sport and Physical Activity Booking
Evidence suggests there are five steps you can take to improve your mental help and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life. Five steps to mental wellbeing - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Check out the new digital display which has been created especially for the Aberdeenshire Wellbeing festival; we hope you enjoy the titles we selected for you.
Did you know that reading for only six minutes a day can reduce your stress levels by up to 68%! With this in mind, as part of the Wellbeing Festival, we are taking part in the Scottish Library and Information Council’s ‘Keep the Heid and Read’ campaign. The campaign is encouraging people across Scotland to pledge online to read for six minutes on the 11th May. You can pledge as an individual or as a group with friends, family or colleagues. Your pledged six minutes will be added to an online totaliser which will keep a log of the number of minutes pledged by each local authority.
Come on Aberdeenshire, let’s see if we can reach the top of the league table and pledge as many minutes as we can. To get involved, pledge and to be included in a prize draw all you have to do is go to Keep the Heid Website, it only takes a minute. You can also get involved by #keeptheheid and @AberdeeshireLibraries on your social media sharing how you have taken part.
Check out the full listing of events here: Aberdeenshire Wellbeing Festival E-booklet