The free stress-busting days coming to Redruth and Falmouth

Breathing. Mindset. Cold. Movement.

A Cornish organisation has spent years teaching those four things in NHS-linked settings, community groups and the Royal Navy. Now it wants to put them in front of anyone who fancies giving them a go. And it won’t cost a penny.

The H.A.L.O. Project SW CIC, a community interest company founded in Cornwall, has been awarded £20,000 by The National Lottery Community Fund to launch its new Community Health & Resilience Programme.

The money will pay for a series of free, full-day HALO Fundamentals experiences in Helston, Redruth, Falmouth and Truro over the next 12 months. The aim is to reach somewhere between 120 and 180 people and remove the cost barrier that stops many from accessing practical health and wellbeing education.

What happens on a HALO day

HALO’s approach combines evidence-informed techniques around breathing, mindset, controlled cold exposure and movement. The idea is to help people understand their own bodies better, respond to stress and build physical and mental resilience.

Each monthly session will look at the science behind stress and recovery, teach practical techniques, and give people simple habits they can carry into everyday life.

No previous experience is needed. Sessions are being designed to suit a wide range of abilities, subject to appropriate health screening.

Two hotels on board

HALO has confirmed its first two community partners, both of which will host sessions in their towns.

The Penventon Park Hotel is the official Redruth Community Partner. Darren Kaslow, its General Manager, said: “We want Penventon to be a place the people of Redruth feel is theirs. Partnering with HALO means local residents can try something new, completely free, and take away practical tools for everyday life. We’re proud to support it and can’t wait to welcome everyone in.”

St Michaels Resort is the official Falmouth Community Partner. Lauren Swinchatt, the resort’s Health Club Manager, said they were “incredibly proud” to take on the role.

“Our community is everything, and now this community we love will have access to the knowledge and expertise that the team at HALO provide,” she said.

“For athletes, for anyone who experiences stress, for anyone struggling with their mental health, breathwork is a powerful tool to have in your arsenal and now, our local people will have access to these resources free of charge through curated workshops and experiences.”

HALO is also working on community delivery partnerships in Helston and Truro.

“Regardless of their circumstances”

Jamie Thomson, Co-Founder of The HALO Project, said the award was a huge opportunity to make the programme “accessible to people across Cornwall, regardless of their circumstances.”

“Through our work with individuals, communities and performance-focused organisations, we’ve seen just how powerful it can be when people begin to understand their own physiology and learn practical ways to manage stress, build confidence and improve their wellbeing,” he said.

“What excites us most is that we’re taking techniques and principles that can support people operating in demanding, high-pressure environments and making them available to everyday people, completely free of charge.”

He thanked both hotels for “stepping forward as community partners”, adding: “Our ambition is simple: to help more people feel healthier, more resilient and better equipped to deal with life’s challenges.”

HALO will gather feedback and use wellbeing questionnaires along the way to measure the impact on stress management, confidence, everyday wellbeing and social connection.

How to get a place

Places will be free, subject to availability and health screening. Confirmed dates, venues and booking details are still to be announced.

In the meantime, individuals, community groups, local organisations and referral partners who want to know more can email [email protected] or visit the HALO Project website.

The Helston and Truro venues have yet to be named.