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In celebration of World Mental Health Day 2021, some of the Working Together Better partnership services in Kirklees partnered with Handmade Parade to host a community Lantern Parade event.

The event was held on 6 October at Crow’s Nest Park in Dewsbury and was well attended by people of all ages and backgrounds from both within the community and service users.

Stalls were set up to provide information and promote the diverse range of wellbeing services at the event, which included S2R, The Women’s Centre, Active for Life, Touchstone; Healthwatch Kirklees, Carer’s Count, Hoot, and CLEAR service.

Alongside the information stalls, a stall was set up specifically for those who wished to have their face painted with glitter, and free sweets were given out to children.

During the parade, participants carried their lanterns and walked in a loop through the park while instruments were playing in the background. The lanterns varied in design and size, ranging from a giant moon, owl, and stars, to smaller triangular shaped lanterns with unique patterns and designs on them, many of which were created by service users.

The even was hailed a success by participants, who commented feedback such as :

“The Lantern Parade was an Amazing event!”

“What a good cause”

“It was amazing, met some lovely people”

“This is what it is all about"

Bethany Craven, Assistant Support Worker at CLEAR said:

"For me, the highlight of the event wasn’t just the lanterns, which were both exquisite, and comforting as they lit up the sky throughout the parade; but also seeing how much people appeared to be enjoying themselves, and the fact that so many people came together in celebration of such an important cause: mental health awareness."

A special thanks to Lindsay Grimes and Hannah Cochrane from CLEAR service, the Working Together Better partnership services, and Handmade Parade for organizing this event, and to all those who participated.

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