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NHS staff have been given free access to a number of wellbeing apps to support with their mental health and wellbeing. Click each link below for more information, including how to access support and when this free offer expires.

The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.

Bright Sky is a free to download, confidential mobile app providing support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.

The WorkLife Central programme consists of a curated collection of expertise, information and inspiration available through video, live event and written format, covering five principal topic areas - Careers, Families, Inclusion, Wellbeing and Workplace.

Headspace is a science-backed app in mindfulness and meditation, providing unique tools and resources to help reduce stress, build resilience, and aid better sleep.

Unmind is a mental health platform that empowers staff to proactively improve their mental wellbeing.

Zero Suicide Alliance provides you with a range of free online learning sessions that provide you with a better understanding of the signs to look out for and the skills required to approach someone who is struggling, whether that be through social isolation or suicidal thoughts.

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NHS staff have been given free access to a number of wellbeing apps to support with their mental health and wellbeing. Click each link below for more information, including how to access support and when this free offer expires.

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It can be easy to rush through life without stopping to notice much.
Paying more attention to the present moment - to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you - can improve your mental wellbeing.

Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. You can take steps to develop it in your own life.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness involves paying attention to what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment.

It's easy to stop noticing the world around us. It's also easy to lose touch with the way our bodies are feeling and to end up living "in our heads" - caught up in our thoughts without stopping to notice how those thoughts are driving our emotions and behaviour.

An important part of mindfulness is reconnecting with our bodies and the sensations they experience. This means paying attention to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the present moment. That might be something as simple as the feel of a banister as we walk upstairs.

Another important part of mindfulness is an awareness of our thoughts and feelings as they happen moment to moment.

How mindfulness helps mental wellbeing

Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better.

When we become more aware of the present moment, we begin to experience afresh things that we have been taking for granted.

Mindfulness also allows us to become more aware of the stream of thoughts and feelings that we experience, and to see how we can become entangled in that stream in ways that are not helpful.

This lets us stand back from our thoughts and start to see their patterns. Gradually, we can train ourselves to notice when our thoughts are taking over and realise that thoughts are simply "mental events" that do not have to control us.

Mindfulness can help us deal with issues more productively. We can ask: "Is trying to solve this by brooding about it helpful, or am I just getting caught up in my thoughts?"

Awareness of this kind may also help us notice signs of stress or anxiety earlier and deal with them better.

Mindfulness-based therapies are recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a way to treat less severe depression.

NICE also recommends that employers make mindfulness available to all employees, to support mental wellbeing at work.

How to be more mindful

Reminding yourself to take notice of your thoughts, feelings, body sensations and the world around you is the first step to mindfulness.

Notice the everyday

As we go about our daily lives, we can notice the sensations of things, the food we eat, the air moving past the body as we walk.

Keep it regular

It can be helpful to pick a regular time, such as a morning journey to work or a walk at lunchtime, during which you decide to be aware of the sensations created by the world around you.

Try something new

Trying new things, such as sitting in a different seat in meetings or going somewhere new for lunch, can also help you notice the world in a new way.

Watch your thoughts

Some people find it very difficult to practise mindfulness. As soon as they stop what they're doing, lots of thoughts and worries crowd in.

It might be useful to remember that mindfulness isn't about making these thoughts go away, but rather about seeing them as mental events that come and go. This can be very hard at first, but with gentle persistence it is possible.

Some people find that it is easier to cope with an over-busy mind if they are doing gentle yoga or walking.

Name thoughts and feelings

To develop an awareness of thoughts and feelings, some people find it helpful to silently name them: "Here's the thought that I might fail that exam" or: "This is anxiety".

Free yourself from the past and future

You can practise mindfulness anywhere, but it can be especially helpful to take a mindful approach if you realise that, for several minutes, you have been trapped in reliving past problems or pre-living future worries.

Different mindfulness practices

As well as practising mindfulness in daily life, it can be helpful to set aside time for a more formal mindfulness practice.

Mindfulness meditation involves sitting silently and paying attention to thoughts, sounds, the sensations of breathing or parts of the body, bringing your attention back whenever the mind starts to wander.

Yoga and tai-chi can also help with developing awareness of your breathing.

Is mindfulness helpful for everyone?

Studies show that mindfulness can help with stress, anxiety and depression. More research is needed to show whether it helps with other mental health conditions.

Many people find mindfulness helpful, but it's not right for everyone. Some people find that it does not help them, or that it can make them feel worse.

More tips for wellbeing

There are other steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing. Learn more about the 5 steps to mental wellbeing.

You can also get your free Mind Plan on the Every Mind Matters website for personalised mental wellbeing tips and advice to your email inbox.

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Awareness of ourselves and the world around us - sometimes called mindfulness - can improve our mental wellbeing.

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New website coming soon - click here for a preview of what it is going to look like

Welcome to the North Yorkshire Pension Fund website

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a statutory scheme for local authority employees, operated under regulations issued by the Central Government Department, Communities and Local Government. The Scheme is administered on a local basis and the County Council is responsible for the Scheme within the geographical areas of North Yorkshire and the City of York.

In addition to employees working in local government, a number of other public, education and voluntary sector employees are also members of the LGPS. Private contractors engaged in local authority work are also able to participate in the scheme. A list of North Yorkshire Pension Fund employers can be found here.

Latest Updates

Can't find what you are looking for? Please tell us to help improve our service.

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New website coming soon - click here for a preview of what it is going to look like The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a statutory scheme for local authority employees, operated under regulations issued by the Central Government Department, Communities and Local Government.

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The Wilderness, Skipton. 561 likes. If you like nature, then you will like visiting the Wilderness. Wilderness Beck meanders through the trees on its way to join the River Aire, with a footbridge and...

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Some of the best open countryside anywhere on England's canal network. A walk following the lock-free summit of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, with Gargrave's lock 31 the last lock for 17 miles. This is idyllic England.

Countryside near Gargrave, Leeds & Liverpool Canal

The north of England has some of the most heavily locked canals in Britain, but boats get a break from locks here, and walkers share their peaceful pace. This lock-free stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal blows you off your feet. The easy towpath meets people on bikes and with well-waxed walking boots following the challenges of other long-distance trails - the Pennine Way and the end-to-end Sustrans Route 68. Wave and let them pass because on this canal, you won't want to rush.

Start: Gargrave OS Grid ref: SD934545

Finish: Skipton Basin OS Grid ref: SD988516

Distance: Five miles

Food and drink: Plenty of choice in Gargrave and Skipton (canalside in the Basin)

Parking: Car parks in Gargrave village

Train: Nearest train stations: Gargrave & Skipton

Route map

The walk: step by step
Download walk details
Start the walk at Higherland Lock (no.32) in Gargrave where bridge 170 leads the famous Pennine Way across the canal. Gargrave pulls out all the stops with canal locks, cute cottages, tearooms, pubs and a church. Dalesman Café Tearooms in the village is often packed with pilgrim cyclists on the challenging Pennine Cycleway (NCN 68). Follow the towpath east towards lock 31.

Note the '½' milepost near bridge 172 - the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Company marked every ¼, ½, ¾ and mile along the canal. Many of the mileposts were restored or replaced as part of the canal's 200th anniversary in 2016.

The canal curves to the right then under the main A65 just beyond lock no.30, the last of Gargrave's locks, and the last on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal for almost 17 miles until Bingley.

Despite the road's intrusion, this is a popular mooring spot as the views open up ahead. Continue along the grassy towpath, past fields bordered by drystone walls, with hills peeking in front and behind.

There's a farm building just by Highgate Swing Bridge (no.173), and the landscape around you is glorious as the canal curves sharply to the left and back to the right. Again it swirls as it approaches Thorlby Swing Bridge (no.174). There are moorings here and a stile by the towpath gate.

Just past the A59 road bridge, boats moor on the opposite bank, and the towpath becomes more tree-lined.

The main road shadows the canal to another swing bridge, no.175, before the canal bends round under the A629.

The wide grassy towpath now brings you more quietly into Skipton past another two swing bridges, a small aqueduct and Victoria Mill - a former corn then paper mill, now converted into flats.

The slabbed towpath leads past the mill to Skipton Basin, busy with people, boats and places to eat. Skipton's heritage reels back as far as the 7th century when Saxon farmers called it 'Sheep Town'. Perched on the edge of the National Park, this busy characterful town is known as 'Gateway to the Dales' and the canal runs straight through its centre. Boat trips from Skipton Basin follow the Springs Branch beneath 900-year-old Skipton Castle, one of England's best preserved medieval castles.

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Gargrave to Skipton walk | Canal & River Trust

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Some of the best open countryside anywhere on England's canal network. A walk following the lock-free summit of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, with Gargrave's lock 31 the last lock for 17 miles. This is idyllic England.

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Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is well worth a visit at any season of the year.

Visitors can explore every corner of this impressive history-rich castle, which withstood a three-year siege during the Civil War. View the Banqueting Hall, the Kitchen, the Bedchamber and Privy. Climb from the depths of the Dungeon to the top storey of the Watch Tower.

Imagine what life was like when Skipton Castle provided protection and security from invaders. Relax in the picnic area or in the new tea room or visit the shop for more information.

Even now more historic finds are being discovered. Recently an ancient well was uncovered, helping to explain how the castle garrison survived the siege of 1643-5.

Every visitor to the Castle is given a comprehensive Tour Sheet (available in 10 languages) with 40 drawings and descriptions of interesting features.

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Skipton Castle, Superbly Preserved Medieval Castle, Yorkshire

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Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is well worth a visit at any season of the year. Visitors can explore every corner of this impressive history-rich castle, which withstood a three-year siege during the Civil War.

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North Yorkshire County Council recognise there is more to pay than just salary and we offer access to a wide range of competitive benefits.

This site provides you with access to a host of voluntary benefits including discounts on goods and services such as your day to day shopping, days out, travel, electrical goods, leisure activities as well as links to salary sacrifice schemes.

We hope you will make the most of the schemes available to help your money go further.
To access your employee benefits you must register on Vivup. If you are not already registered, simply click the link below. Otherwise, login to start browsing.

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North Yorkshire County Council recognise there is more to pay than just salary and we offer access to a wide range of competitive benefits. This site provides you with access to a host of voluntary benefits including discounts on goods and services such as your day to day shopping, days out, travel, electrical goods, leisure activities as well as links to salary sacrifice schemes.

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Free digital mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK