New Recovery College launches in Leeds

A new college designed to involve a wide range of different people with mental health needs from across Leeds launched in September.

The Leeds Recovery College offers a prospectus of educational and training courses focused on being mentally healthy, staying well and helping people to develop the knowledge and strength to overcome life’s challenges.

With an estimated 105,000 people in the city suffering from mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, the college aims to reach people in a community setting and supports a self-care approach, as set out in the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Courses aren’t therapy and they do not replace a clinical or therapeutic intervention, but Recovery College Development Manger Simon Burton states,

“Recovery colleges enable people to learn about what is important to them and their own self-care. They enable people to reflect on their skills and talents and they enable people to develop the knowledge and support they need for their health, life and work.”

Former teacher and now WRAP Course Facilitator Julie Booth, talks about her own experiences of attending Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) and now as a course facilitator with the Recovery College, she is passing on what she has learned to others.

Bringing together this lived experience and professional knowledge has helped the college ensure that the courses are full of useful and relevant information and handy tips, which will hopefully make a difference and help people in their life, work or study. Courses are free to attend and open to all adults with personal experience.  The College also welcomes carers, supporters and professionals too.

You can find out more on the Recovery College website and download a copy of the prospectus to see the range of courses available.