Recovery College - Belfast HSC Trust Area

Recovery College offers a range of free courses that are available for anyone with an interest in mental health and wellbeing including: service users, family members and staff. Creating and delivering courses together using the combined expertise of mental health professionals and peer trainers with real life experience, breaks down traditional barriers and allows people to learn together to inspire hope, opportunity and control in an individual’s personal recovery journey. We follow three key principles: HOPE – continuing presence of hope that it is possible to pursue one’s goals and ambitions. CONTROL – the need to maintain a sense of control over one’s life and one’s symptoms. OPPORTUNITY – the importance of having the opportunity to build a life beyond illness. What is Recovery? The word ‘recovery’ can have different meanings to each individual. “Recovery is about discovering or re-discovering a sense of personal identity, separate from illness or disability.” (Shepherd., Boardman, J.& Slade, M. 2008) At the Recovery College students have the opportunity to discover who they are, learn skills and tools to promote recovery, find out what they can be, and realise the unique contribution they have to offer. They can see how others have found a way forward and that they can have more control over their life. Who is it for? Our courses provide the opportunity to learn together to help increase understanding of each other’s journey in promoting recovery for: Service users Family members Carers Trust workers Members of the community and voluntary sectors Everyone is known as a 'student'. Courses we offer Our courses cover four main areas: Living and learning about me: Addictions, What is trauma?, Living with Psychosis, Exploring attitudes to mental health. Building skills, resilience and me: Getting a good night’s sleep, Be active for wellbeing, Mindfulness, Compassion fatigue, Developing friendships and social networks. The ‘know how’ series: Self-directed support, Understanding psychological therapies. Giving and getting involved: Value of volunteering, Finding and keeping a job, Co-Facilitators course for Peer Trainers. All courses are free to attend. How to apply To attend a course you must enroll with the Recovery College by downloading and filling in an Enrolment form (see website link above) Prospectus and Enrolment Form attached at Useful Documents