Leeds Recovery College

Our current courses are online and home learning only (but it’s just for a little while). We’re looking forward to launching our new prospectus and re-introducing physical face-to-face courses in 2021, but in the meantime we’ve adapted some of our favourite courses, which you can take part in, at home.

We believe that good mental health is important to everyone and that we can all play a part in improving our own mental health and contributing to that of others.

We offer free educational courses that focus on keeping us mentally and physically well. These courses have been co-designed and co-facilitated by people who have experienced their own mental health challenges, working alongside health professionals and education providers to share their knowledge and advice. The aim of these courses is to help you learn more about mental health, work out what keeps yourself and others well, and find ways to enjoy life more.

Our courses are attended by a range of people including those who experience mental health challenges, staff and carers who are looking to improve their knowledge, and people from across the city who would like to better look after their own wellbeing.

Find a course

We’re looking forward to launching our new prospectus and re-introducing physical face-to-face courses in 2021, but in the meantime we’ve adapted some of our favourite courses, which you can take part in, online.

Download our current prospectus.

Our courses are free to attend and you do not need a referral to take part. Courses are open to any adults who live, work or study in Leeds and would like to learn more about mental wellbeing. Our courses are currently online or distance learning only, and will be updating this website with new dates when face-to-face courses are re-introduced.

To book on a course, you will be asked to complete a Recovery College enrolment form and email it to leedsrecoverycollege.lypft@nhs.net. We can also send you the enrolment form through the post, or if you call us on 0113 855 5127 we can complete the enrolment form with you over the phone.

If you would prefer a printed copy of the prospectus please email leedsrecoverycollege.lypft@nhs.net for details.

How to enrol

You are not referred to the Recovery College and you do not need a referral to join a workshop; you can enrol yourself onto any of the courses that are of interest to you by following the steps below.

Have a look at the workshop and course descriptions in the prospectus and decide which sessions you would like to attend. We do not offer every course each term, so you will need to check the dates in our course timetable.

Our courses are currently online or distance learning only, and will be updating this website with new dates when physical face-to-face courses are re-introduced.

To book on a course, you will be asked to complete a course enrolment form and email it to leedsrecoverycollege.lypft@nhs.net. Alternatively we can post this form out to you or we can complete the enrolment form with you over the phone if you call us at 0113 855 5127.

You will receive confirmation of your booking before the course starts. This will include an email link to your course’s online digital classroom, where you will find introductory videos, pre-course materials and useful links which you can use before the course starts. If you are new to the Leeds Recovery College, you will be invited to take a look at our Introduction to Recovery College digital classroom, where you can access pre-recorded example sessions, watch facilitators and students sharing their experiences of online learning, and download our new Introduction to Recovery learn at home packs.

Code of conduct

When enrolling, we ask that you read our student charter and agree to our code of conduct which describes what you can expect from us, and what we expect from you before attending a session.

If you are a member of Trust staff

We have one enrolment form for all students. If you are a member of Trust staff who would like to attend a course as part of your professional development, please confirm this with your manager prior to completing the enrolment form.

Attending the Recovery College

Attending for yourself

If you would like to learn more about your health and mental wellbeing, there may be a course for you. It doesn’t matter if you have a diagnosis or not, or if you attend other services for your mental health.

You do not need to be referred to the Recovery College or to join a course, you can enrol yourself onto any of the courses that interest you. You also don’t have to disclose any information about your personal or professional life, life history or mental health challenges.

Attending a course to improve your own knowledge and better support someone else

We welcome carers, family, friends and health care professionals too and everyone that attends a course is treated equally as a student.

Here’s some feedback from some of our Co-facilitators on their experiences at the Recovery College:

“Having been involved with Recovery College as a student, and later as a facilitator, I believe passionately in the ethos of shared learning through lived experience and testimony. The format is not teacher-driven but people working together to move forward to improve their mental health in a supportive and trusting environment. I feel this is where the power of the college comes from and what makes the learning so effective.” Julie, Leeds Recovery College Co-facilitator.

“Leeds Recovery College online proved that feeling supported and connected is what really matters- wherever that takes place” Helen, Leeds Recovery College Co-facilitator.

Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP)

Wellness Recovery Action Planning or WRAP is a structured course that will help you to consider what is important for your health and your wellbeing and develop practical strategies for regaining and sustaining your wellness.

It was developed in 1997 by a group of people in the USA, particularly Mary Ellen Copeland who had personal experience of mental health, to help manage some of the mental health experiences that the group shared. WRAP is now used worldwide by people who are dealing with all kinds of health and life challenges.

To find out more about WRAP and how it can help you, watch this short video.

WRAP does not necessarily replace other treatments, however it is evidence based and has greatly improved the recovery and long term health of many people.

Courses on WRAP are regularly run by the Leeds Recovery College. These courses encourage focussing on individual strengths instead of perceived faults or failures and benefit people with all different health needs.

We also encourage people who have developed their own plans to share their learning by co-facilitating and supporting future WRAP courses.

For more information on WRAP visit: https://copelandcenter.com

Other sources of help

The Mindwell website is a single ‘go to’ place for information about mental health in Leeds funded locally by the NHS. There is also some helpful information about coronavirus and managing your mental health.

The website can give you quick and easy access to:

clear, accurate information about services in Leeds including support you can access without a referral
information about a range of common mental health problems such as anxiety, stress and low moods
self-help tools and techniques including downloadable resources, videos and animations.

MindMate is a Leeds-based website for younger people, their families and the professionals who support them. It covers emotional wellbeing and mental health issues and offers information about where support is available.

If you, a friend or a member of your family is struggling

An online and downloadable resource is avaiable from Mindwell which will help guide people in crisis through the different kinds of support available including help from the NHS, third sector support and telephone helplines.

The Leeds Crisis Card lists lots of useful support groups in the Leeds area that provide help with a range of issues.