Wakefield’s community health NHS Trust holds event to develop a ‘recovery college’

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is inviting local people in Wakefield to a special event to get involved in the development of a new ‘recovery college’. The event will take place on Wednesday 30 April 2014 at Lightwaves, Lower York Street, Wakefield.

The Trust provides a range of community, mental health and learning disability services to the people of Wakefield – as well as services in Barnsley, Calderdale and Kirklees. The College will launch later in 2014 and will offer free educational courses to support people in their recovery from physical and mental health problems.

People who use the Trust’s local health services, their family and carers, Trust staff and people from other health and social care providers in the Wakefield district are invited to contribute to the event.

The event will cover what a recovery college is, what courses the recovery college could run, who might plan and deliver different courses, and where and when courses will take place.

Wakefield Recovery College is just one of several recovery colleges that will be opened by the Trust – joining others in the country. The college could provide a variety of courses ranging from understanding health conditions and educational topics alongside creative, spiritual and sporting opportunities.

Each course will be planned and run in partnership by people with experience of health problems and health professionals.

Darryl Thompson, a Trust clinician who is leading the development of the college in Wakefield said: “The development of a recovery college in Wakefield is an exciting and new way to enhance people’s recovery from health problems and for us to work in partnership with our communities.  Our approach to recovery underpins everything we do as a health service provider and it echoes the mission of our organisation; enabling people to reach their potential and live well in their community.

“It’s really important that we work with local people who have experience of health problems to develop the college, rather than us, as professionals, just assuming what is needed and missing out on what others can contribute.   I’d like to encourage anyone interested to book a place so they can come along, find out more and work with us to make this happen.”

To book a place on the event, email wakerecoverycollege@swyt.nhs.uk or call 01924 327680.