Action For Happiness in Brighton


Taking action to increase happiness in Brighton

A new branch of Action For Happiness was born in Brighton on March 22nd 2012; there are now over 400 members.
Action for Happiness is a national organization.  Watch the Video  "Doing Good feels Good". The national website is full of tantalising resources (great dreams: 10 keys to happiness, and a reading list) - have a look! great dream postcards

Action for Happiness is a movement for positive social change. We're bringing together people from all walks of life who want to play a part in creating a happier society for everyone. For fifty years we've aimed relentlessly at higher incomes. But despite being much wealthier, we're no happier than we were five decades ago. At the same time we've seen an increase in wider social issues, including a worrying rise in anxiety and depression in young people. It's time for a positive change in what we mean by progress.


Brighton AfH meetup group here



Future large events:  
Usually at Latest Music bar, Manchester St. BN2 1TF  map; payment by donation (suggested £2).
Tuesday April 30th
Latest Music bar

Event starts at 8pm;   come by 7:45 to get a place.

book here
Embodying the Great Dream – Dancing the 10 Keys to Happiness

Helen Thatcher

This will be a fun, practical session, completely suitable for beginners. There are no 'steps'.

Helen will use the principles of Vital Development to guide us into exploring the 10 Keys to Happiness. Vital Development is an international movement practice that brings vitality, joy, well-being and meaning to those who attend regular classes; it is derived from Biodanza.

Understanding that everything we experience affects us on a cellular level, we induce positive emotions through music, movement and meditation - creating new pathways in the brain. This method gently re-programs our mind and enables us to adopt a positive (happier) approach to life.

Helen is a warm and welcoming facilitator, with over 10 years experience of running groups. She was an active member of a Buddhist residential community for many years engaging in long meditation retreats. However, she found that she experienced a more profound change in her confidence, happiness and acceptance of the challenges of daily life when she began to use dance as a self-development practice.

Tuesday June 4th
Latest Music bar
Workshop - Ten Keys to Happiness
Vanessa King, Action for Happiness 

In this engaging, inter-active session, Vanessa will take you through Action for Happiness’ ’10 Keys to Happier Living‘ which are based on the latest science from psychology, neuroscience and economics. Everyone’s path to happiness is different, but the research suggests these ten things can have a positive impact on our own, and others’, happiness well-being and resilience. The Keys make the research accessible and practical for everyone, and you will come away with ideas for action to put into practice in daily life.  

Vanessa
                King
About Vanessa

Vanessa King is the main positive psychology advisor to Action for Happiness and led the development of the Ten Keys to Happier Living. Her work involves translating the latest research into practical applications for organizations, groups, communities and individuals. Vanessa gained a Masters degree in Positive Psychology under Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania. She is an experienced leadership and organization development consultant and her work is centered on helping individuals get the most out of their work and life and enabling organizations to bring the best out of their people. She is also trained as a facilitator on the University of Pennsylvania Master Resilience program. and is a master practitioner with  the happiness@work survey tool. 

more book a place
Tuesday July 2nd
Latest Music bar
Happiness, The Choice For Us All
Dr Anthony Seldon, educator, writer and thinker, co-founder of Action for Happiness  more
book a place


Activities planned in Brighton and Hove include speakers on happiness from several viewpoints, workshops with practical involvement, and ongoing self-help development groups to explore happiness for individuals.

10k

facebook group . tweet: @BrightonHappy
subscribe to Action for Happiness newsletter by email
 
http://eepurl.com/kYjZ9
Brighton AfH meetup group here


The
'ideas and action' steering group usually meets 7-9pm on the last Monday of each month at Earth & Stars (upstairs), 46 Windsor St BN1 1RJ (North Laines). For next meeting, see here

Books you may find enlightening        ways to Give and Share


For more information or to suggest activities, contact Afhappinessbtn@gmail.com 

Organizations and events in Brighton that may enable you to find more happiness:

Biodanza
Brighton Buddhist Centre
Happy Cell
Non Violent Communication
Philosophy in Pubs
lifesquared
freshairbton
gratitude group (Shoreham)


Past events:

May 31st  2012
Launch of the Brighton Action for Happiness group
Talk by Mark Williamson (director of UK Action for Happiness) followed by discussion.  
sound on RadioFreeBrighton (including fascinating answers to questions after the talk)      
slides   Mark's talk in Australia

June 17th
"Happy" - the movie
The film features people living lives of happiness and gives lots of ideas on how we can all become happier both personally and as communities.  trailer    

July 9th
How to be happy in the 21st century - a Buddhist perspective
Mokshini - Brighton Buddhist Centre  more

Sept 4th
Measuring happiness and why it matters
Juliet Michaelson    New Economics Foundation  nef  slides

Oct 2nd
Some Strategies for Well-being: Lessons from Making Slough Happy
Dr Richard Stevens, Open University  more  slides  handout

November 6th Values, Individual Happiness, Planetary Well-being and the role of our Consumer Culture
Wenceslao Unanue, University of Sussex   slides

Dec 4th Gratitude Event  Anne O'Keife   An evening of developing an attitude of gratitude!
Jan 1st 2013
"Happy" - the movie

Jan 8th
An introduction to Positive Psychology  Bridget Grenville-Cleave  book  about Bridget

Feb 5th Willing to be happy: can willpower and self-control  make you happier?  Dr Andrew Eagle

March 12th
Music and Singing for Happiness    Philip Milburn

April 9th
The neurobiology of happiness - an embodied experience  Dr Harry Witchel


www.actionforhappiness-inbrighton.org.uk

updated April 12th 2013 by Paul Tofts