Recovery college launch new courses to help recovery and reduce stigma

More free courses to help those with mental and physical health conditions are being launched at Wakefield and 5 Towns recovery college, run by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.  To reduce the stigma attached to issues, the college is offering classes to anyone interested in learning more, including carers and employers.

The college supports adults in their recovery from mental and physical ill-health by recognising and making the most of their strengths and talents. Based at Garden Street, the college has been developed in partnership with people who have experience of health problems, health professionals and local people – ensuring that courses offered support the needs of people in the local community.

A new college prospectus featuring more than 70 courses is being launched.  This includes eight new ones for 2016/17: autism awareness, mental health medication and me, mindfulness, alcohol and substance misuse, budgeting bills and savings, baking basics and two festive craft classes.

There are two launch events for people to find out more about the new classes on offer.  These are on Monday 5 September at Garden Street Centre in Wakefield and on Wednesday 7 September (both 10.30am – 2.30pm) at St Giles’ Church in Pontefract.  Refreshments will be available at both venues.

Lindsey Taylor-Crossley, recovery college coordinator, said: “These events are a great opportunity to meet staff and volunteers who can explain more about what the recovery college does and how we help local people in the community improve their mental and physical wellbeing. We’ll also be showing videos about the college and handing out goody bags.”

Recovery colleges across the country have been shown to be successful in helping people to reduce their use of, or stay out of, mental health services. They have enabled people to go on to engage more within their local community in a bid to maintain their wellbeing.

Many of the volunteers at the Wakefield and 5 Towns recovery college have been previous students who, after having a positive experience, have wished to ‘give something back’ by volunteering to co-produce or co-facilitate a course or workshop.

Lindsey said: “We offer a relaxed and welcoming setting that helps people make real progress on their recovery journey. These free classes are open to all as we aim to create a better understanding of mental and physical health conditions, helping to reduce the stigma that has surrounded mental health.”