"How the Recovery College helped turn my life around."

My first thought reflecting on the care I experienced at The Recovery College was the teams encouragement towards a healthy freedom of expression; thoughts I had found restricting were given the opportunity to be shared and explored in an environment that felt communal and safe. When I googled ‘freedom of expression’ it was defined as ‘reinforcing all other human rights, allowing society to develop and progress.’ That ‘The ability to express our opinion and speak freely is essential to bring about change in society’, this fits well with my personal experience of The College’s approach towards care- by revolutionising traditional thought and stigma it facilitates a strength based ability. This is further supported by the appropriate principals and ethics that should surround mental health in securing a safe environment. I realised how in practice this can be valuable not only to the individual, but also enabling a better understanding from and to others. Everyone appears valued at the Recovery College, everyone learns from experience and everyone has a responsibility of care.

The responsibility one has as a student there is one of respect, for yourself, fellow students and those that are providing the service, this works well in instilling self autonomy and boundaries and it doesn’t come at the expense of your own freedom of choice. Attendance is monitored but exceptional circumstances permissible. A scale of 1-10 is given on sharing personal experiences in the class, 2 being considered safe to share and the option to pass at any point on feeding back. From the toe dipping sessions such as building self- esteem or self confidence to the more immersive sessions on co-producing a course or ratification all are interactive, progressive and balanced with careful thought towards content and structure.

Many of the things that had affected my mental health had developed from being in positions that didn’t fully align with my own personal value system that resulted in an internal friction. Mid way through my first term I was so inspired by what I was experiencing at The College and changes within that I decided to explore healthcare academically with a view to a possible career change. Helen who runs the college generously gave up an hour of her time which proved invaluable to me. On a white board she illustrated in a manageable, digestible illustration the different occupational facets that make up the healthcare system in the UK and areas that may suit me best. This led to my enrolling with The Open University to study for a Higher Diploma in Adult Health and Social Care in conjunction with my time at The College and volunteering as an advocate. 

The Recovery College literally enabled me to turn my life around. I moved to Nottingham from the South due to ill health and needing support. In a few weeks time I graduate and I have recently secured a job as a Peer Support Worker. I’m now in a position to be reunited with my daughters and put literally ‘everything’ I have learnt to good use. On the front of their prospectus can be found the words, hope, control and opportunity. Every box ticked, thank you Recovery College for helping me to access that.