Southern Health Foundation Trust Recovery College

Who are we?

We are a College, based within the adult mental health services of the Trust, and are part of a national chain of Recovery Colleges, aiming to help increase awareness and understanding of recovery and self-management whilst challenging stigma related to mental health. We offer educational courses about mental health recovery and self-management to complement existing services.

Whats our ethos?

Our ethos is based on co-production so all courses are co-developed, co-delivered and co-attended by people who have lived experience of mental health related issues, friends and family of those who use mental health services and those in a professional caring role.

What do we mean by recovery?

When we use the term recovery we mean that “a person with mental illness can recover even though the illness is not ‘cured’. Recovery is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life – even with the limitations caused by illness. Recovery involves the development of new meaning and purpose in one’s life as one grows beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness.” (Anthony, 1993)

Mental illness can affect us all. In fact, around one in four people will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives. So due to this, our courses are relevant to all, whether you are a service user, friend, family member and/or health professional. When you attend our courses, we do not differentiate or label people – you are all ‘students’. The Recovery College welcomes all.