News & Updates

Prescribing Happiness!

Published On : 9th February, 2020

Go on Get Happy with our 8 week course called Prescribing Happiness!

How the course works: 

  • You will attend 1:1 weekly sessions of 45 minutes with Wellbeing Facilitator Jen
  • Sessions will be held at our Wellness Clinic in a private consultation room on the 1st floor
  • At each session, you will complete a worksheet of different exercises
  • You’ll receive a “Prescribing Happiness” wellbeing diary to complete three days a week for the duration of the course
  • The Diary and Worksheets are yours to keep
  • We’ll measure your Wellbeing and Happiness on weeks 1, 6 and 8

What is covered in the sessions?

Week 1:        Character Strengths: Exploring your Strengths

Week 2:        Positive Emotions: Gratitude and Hope

Week 3:        Engagement: Living Mindfully in the Present Moment

Week 4:        Relationships: Importance of Social Relationships

Week 5:        Meaning: Finding your Passion and Values

Week 6:        Accomplishment: Planning for the Future

Week 7:        No Session

Week 8:        Follow Up: Check In

Further Information

  • We’ll invite you to attend a ‘Follow-Up’ interview to give your feedback on how you found the course
  • All your data will be protected, and personal information will be kept anonymous
  • The course has been designed based on ‘PERMA’ a Wellbeing Model

 

This course is part of a PhD project working in association with The Health Dispensary Pharmacy and Wellness Clinic, Cardiff Metropolitan University and is supported by The European Social Funds (ESF) as part of a Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS 2).
To see if you meet the eligibility criteria please get in contact with our Wellbeing Facilitator Jen on 01639630000 or email jeward@cardiffmet.ac.uk

Health News & Insights

Health News & Insights

Explore the latest updates, insights and practical advice from The Health Dispensary. Our blog shares pharmacist-led perspectives on treatments, new medications and everyday health topics — helping you make informed decisions about your care, online or in person.

quinoa
,

Is Quinoa Good for Weight Loss? Why It’s One of My Favourite Foods for GLP-1 Patients

By Ali Sparkes 29th July, 2026

Real food for healthy weight loss Is Quinoa Good for GLP-1 Weight Loss? Quinoa for GLP-1 weight loss can be a useful addition to smaller, balanced meals. It provides plant protein, fibre and useful nutrients, making it a practical choice when medicines such as Wegovy® or Mounjaro® have reduced your appetite. My simple pharmacy lunch: …

Pharmacist listening attentively to a patient during a compassionate healthcare consultation focused on whole-person care.
,

The Healing Power of Feeling Heard

By Ali Sparkes 28th July, 2026

Feeling heard in healthcare can be profoundly reassuring. Sometimes one of the most therapeutic moments is not receiving a prescription, a scan or a treatment plan — but realising that somebody has genuinely listened. Modern healthcare is extraordinarily skilled at diagnosing disease, interpreting blood tests, measuring risk and treating symptoms. These things matter enormously. Lives …

Football stress and nervous system response during a tense World Cup match
,

The Nervous System on Match Day: Why Football Can Feel So Emotional

By Ali Sparkes 19th July, 2026

As the World Cup reaches its final, we explore football stress and why watching a match can raise your heart rate, stir your emotions, test your nerves and leave you feeling oddly exhausted — even if you never leave the sofa. Today, Sunday 19 July 2026, the FIFA World Cup reaches its final. After weeks …

Positive psychology wellbeing intervention developed in a community pharmacy

Prescribing Happiness? The Research Project That Started Inside Our Pharmacy

By Ali Sparkes 2nd July, 2026

Prescribing Happiness began as a positive psychology wellbeing intervention developed for a community pharmacy setting. It explored whether evidence-based wellbeing activities could sit alongside traditional pharmacy care and help people flourish, rather than simply manage illness. Long before phrases such as whole health, social prescribing and preventative healthcare became part of everyday conversation, we kept …

Tennis health benefits including fitness, social connection and healthy ageing
,,

Why Tennis Might Be the Best Sport for Healthy Ageing

By Ali Sparkes 29th June, 2026

Tennis health benefits extend far beyond fitness. Research suggests that tennis may be one of the best sports for healthy ageing, combining cardiovascular exercise, mental stimulation, social connection and enjoyment in a single activity. While many people associate tennis with Wimbledon, strawberries and cream, and the occasional outburst directed at an umpire, the science behind …

↑