THE Dalai Lama has given his blessing to a new course being run in the Borders which promises to make people happier and the world a better place.

The eight-week course is designed by the Action for Happiness organisation - a UK based movement with over 100,000 members which takes action for a happier world.

Entitled Exploring What Matters, the weekly courses will be offered in Peebles and Innerleithen in the New Year.

It is a secular project based on science rather than faith and is open to people of all backgrounds.

The course is backed by the Dalai Lama, who 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 found that it leaves people both happier and more pro-social, with participants reporting increases in levels of life satisfaction, mental wellbeing, compassion and social trust.

Many say the course is life-changing.

In Exploring What Matters, local groups meet for eight weeks, with each session exploring a big question.

They start with "What really matters in life?" and then "What really makes us happy?".

These are followed by sessions on dealing with adversity, having good relationships, caring for others, and creating happier workplaces and communities.

They end with "How can we create a happier world?”

The first eight week course is being run in Peebles on a voluntary basis by Suzi Gibson and Laura Swan in Space108, Greenside every Thursday starting on January 9.

Suzi said: “I’m very excited to be running this course because happier individuals make for a happier community and I am passionate about bringing people together to discuss what matters. I can’t think of a better use of my time than helping myself and others be happier.”

The Innerleithen-based course is being run by Lois Hindley and Cath Shepheard and takes place at Innerleithen Church of Scotland every Wednesday starting on January 15.

And what’s even better is the cost of happiness is free, but the organisers do ask for a small donation to cover costs.

If you would like to search for happiness contact Laura Swan at hello@lauraswan.com