A COURSE with the backing of the Dalai Lama himself is coming to Malmesbury to make it a happier and more caring place.

Exploring What Matters is an eight-week course that aims to improve people’s life satisfaction, mental wellbeing and compassion.

The course has been developed by Action for Happiness, a secular UK-based movement with around 60,000 members.

Speaking about the course, the Dalai Lana said: “As patron of Action for Happiness I am delighted to see the work being done by members of this movement to create a happier and more caring society.

“I wholeheartedly support the Exploring What Matters course and hope that many thousands of people will benefit from it and be inspired to take their own action to help create a happier world.”

Analysis of the course has suggested it leaves its participants happier and more pro-social, with many describing it as “life-changing”.

It promises to be “a challenge to the promotion of materialism and individual success which is predominant in Western culture”.

Jasmine Hodge-Lake came to the course having suffered for over a decade with chronic pain which left her unable to work. She said: “I wouldn't be where I am now without Action for Happiness and that course.

“I found there were things I could do that would make a big difference and started to feel hopeful about the future.

“I still have bad days and life certainly isn't perfect; but it has really helped me so much. Now I'm trying to be the change that I want to see.”

Howard Davies, who is leading the course in Malmesbury, said: “I’m very excited to be running this course because I know how much people can benefit from these proven approaches to happier living.”

Co-founder of Action for Happiness, Professor Lord Richard Layard, said: “A good society is one where as many people as possible are able to live happy, fulfilling lives.

“We hope to see this course happening in thousands of local communities to help like-minded people support each other in taking practical actions which are not only good for their own wellbeing but also contribute to the happiness of others around them too.”

Director of Action for Happiness, Dr Mark Williamson said: “In the modern world we are bombarded with false messages about what makes for a happy life.

“The Exploring What Matters course helps people discover for themselves that real success has much less to do with what we earn or consume - and much more to do with our inner attitudes, our relationships with others and our contribution to society.”

The course will take place at Malmesbury Town Hall every Monday for eight weeks, starting on February 22, 2016.

To find out more, email Howard at howardkdavies@gmail.com