Health Matters: Actress opens oasis of calm

The new garden has been designed to provide female service users with a calm, peaceful and relaxing environment during their time at the facility. The garden will also help to aid recovery.

A competition was held to name the garden and the winning entry, "Lavender Court", was suggested by a service user at the centre.

A garden party is being held to officially open Lavender Court.

Verity commented: "It is great to see that hospital units such as the Becklin Centre will have such a fun yet relaxing facility available to female service users.

"I am really looking forward to seeing the garden and meeting some of the people who have worked hard to make this possible."

The Becklin Centre provides community and inpatient mental health services for adults between the ages of 18-65.

Record breaking Pilates class

To celebrate the opening of its new home at Chantry House in Kirkstall, the Leeds Pilates Place is encouraging everyone in the local community to attend an open day on September 11 and help set a new world record.

The challenge of the open day is to achieve the largest class of intergenerational Pilates, meaning the most people of all ages participating at one time.

In between record breaking, all members of the Leeds community are welcome to join in a day of fun and pampering, with free Pilates taster sessions to suit everyone, free refreshments and children's activities throughout the day and a rewarding massage to finish with.

For further information, including a timetable of classes at the Leeds Pilates Place and other venues across Leeds, visit www.leedspilatesplace.co.uk or email info@leedspilates place.co.uk

Saddle up for charity challenge

Next month the NSPCC is encouraging people in West Yorkshire get on their bikes and raise money for its Child's Voice Appeal as thousands take up the challenge of organising their own Big Bike Ride.

The NSPCC's 2010 Big Bike Ride is a cycling challenge to raise crucial funds for the charity's Child's Voice Appeal to help end cruelty to children.

To register for your organisers' pack, or for more information about the NSPCC's Big Bike Ride go to www.bigbikeride.co.uk.