"You will come away with a sense of purpose"

Welcome to the Recovery College: -

Previous theoretical definitions of the concept of recovery have never fully explained what it is, partly because our own recovery journey is unique and personal to us.

Central to all mental health recovery and wellbeing taught courses run by South West London and St George’s Mental health NHS trust is that they acknowledge the notion of practical recovery; this ‘sits’ amongst the broader concepts of ‘Hope’, ‘Control’ and ‘Opportunity’ which are core to the trust’s recovery courses.

By focusing on the practical aspects of recovery, the recovery college offers individuals the opportunity to tryout some of the practical tools from each course. The long term aim is for individuals to build a portfolio of practical self-managing tools which they can then adapt to best fit their own personal circumstances.

The ‘tools’ allow,

• “Individuals to do the things they want to do and live the lives they want. ” Being in a ‘hope inspiring environment’ such as a classroom, can be the first step to regaining meaning about oneself. In other words what it means to be ‘me’.

In this way,

• Individuals can then better manage their personal environment and begin to take back control by making choices about the help they need, to do the things they want.

Which may potentially lead to

Opportunities for the individual to contribute towards their local communities and wider society.

Which is why nearly all of the recovery college courses are designed:

• To help you make sense of what has happened.

• For you to have the opportunity to learn more about yourself.

• For you to work towards a meaningful life – ‘Recovery IS possible for everyone. ’

The recovery college seeks to support individual’s mental health and wellbeing where, for instance, an individual may be prevented from carrying out daily routines it may be able to offer through the courses practical advice and support.

In your journey towards recovery you will take many ‘achievable’ steps in pursuing your goals. Indeed, you may face existing and new ‘challenges’, but there will always be opportunities to reassess your progress; unlearn old habits and learn new ways to cope with lived experiences.

Throughout your ‘practical journey’ towards recovery you will always, depending on your chosen course, be guided by:

• Two tutors - a mental health professional/practitioner and an accredited and qualified peer trainer.

• Health professionals/practitioners will have particular skills relevant to mental health conditions; and peer trainers, through their own real life experiences, will have ‘managed’ a mental health condition.

• Course materials, incidentally are written both by peer trainers and health professionals/practitioners, allow tutors to deliver a structured programme that can readily be adapted to meet an ‘informal’ class/group setting.

• Sessions usually last 3 hours with a break in between. You are positively encouraged to complete the session, as this can lead to positive outcomes for both the individual and the group/class as a whole.

Introductory sessions will see tutors outline some ground rules to which the class/group will need to adopt. It is important these rules are agreed by the class/group because course outcomes may have a bearing on them:

• Confidentiality to the group is very important; as a general rule what is said in the classroom stays in the classroom Remember, you are in control; you should not feel that you have to share personal information if you don’t want to.

• When participating in group discussions tutors are there to facilitate not to judge; there are no wrong questions; there are no silly questions; all questions are valid.

• Respect for others’ individual rights; gender and ethnic backgrounds. Your language should be tempered; there may be times where you ‘agree to disagree; ’ where differences of opinion exist, you are asked to respect the other individual’s point of view.

Since November, 2018 I have participated on 8 recovery mental health and wellbeing courses. These recovery courses have enabled me to see real benefits in my attitude and behaviour towards my mental wellbeing which before I seemed reluctant either to think or do anything about. I am very happy to sign up to more recovery health and wellbeing courses provided by the recovery college and funded by South West London and St George’s Mental health NHS trust.

The Recovery college has, in my opinion, a inclusive and varied programme of mental health and wellbeing courses; if the individual is sincere in their approach and attitude towards mental wellbeing, these courses can help raise one’s mood leading to an improvement in an individual’s expectations from life.

I would recommend doing the courses because: -

• There is an opportunity to meet and focus with similar people who express similar feelings and thoughts to yourselves. This is your chance to ‘shine. ’

• It can mean sharing coping strategies that individuals find useful, so they can develop there own.

• It can empower you; the classes/groups make you feel that you are not alone or on your own.

• These classes/groups can be places where you can meet people who have many of the aspirations and hopes you may wish to cultivate and nuture such as doing ordinary things that people do when they have a good life – being kind to yourself.

• And, the courses are fun to do. The more you involve yourself with the course the more you will come away with a sense of purpose, and a sense of achievement.