"I wish I could still benefit from the services"

The Recovery College: 2 wonderful things that helped change my life and turn it around from long term mental illness:

1. Mindfulness: I did the introductory course with Angelika at the Recovery College/ Springfield Hospital 4 years ago. She was such a wonderful teacher, I could feel the benefits straight away. My anxiety disappeared! And I wanted to do more so I joined various other courses over the years and more recently the excellent forums organised by the RC which are just perfect to refresh the basic knowledge progress and encourage you to keep practicing. Because truly mindfulness changes your life for the better. I am so glad the RC gave me the opportunity to try it out in a safe and warm environment; I felt supported and empowered.

2. Helping me to get back to work: thanks to the various courses offered by my RC, I gained the confidence to think about working again, the skills to apply for jobs and especially the self esteem that needed to be restored. It’s amazing that in quite a short time (compared to the length of my illness 18 years) 2 years, I achieved discharge from the Trust and I am now in a permanent part time job which I love and enabled me to come off benefits and regain control of my life. It’s been an amazing story really and I hope it’s an inspiration and encouragement for other patients.

All I can say is get involved with the RC, a lot of good will come out of it and you can fully trust the staff and trainers. You feel safe and supported and understood. 

3. At present, you can only join the RC if you are a current patient or have been discharged less than a year ago. I think this is nonsense. Please allow funding to give this service to mentally ill patients who are not necessarily using the SWLSTG trust but primary care patients because they need the help as much if not more. In my case, although I am discharged from the Trust, I still need medication and therapy and a lot of help. And I wish I could still benefit from the RC services!