“The Recovery College has helped me in so many ways. It has given me that feeling that I am not alone in my mental health journey.” These are the thoughts of past student now Peer Trainer Katherine Fletcher as the South Eastern Trust’s Recovery College prepares to celebrate 10 years in helping those manage their mental health and wellbeing.
With a core focus on recovery, the College also offers courses which are designed to increase knowledge, skills and promote self-management.
A student in 2016, Katherine explained how taking part in a number of the College’s courses and hearing from like-minded students felt very empowering and uplifting, “especially when you are on that mental health journey to recovery.”
Katherine described how the, “Recovery College has given me so many strategies that I can learn from and it’s those strategies that have helped benefit my wellbeing.” “The main strategy for me has been positive self-talk. It is really important to me that I check in with myself and talk positively to myself in a way that is compassionate. When you are on this journey, there are times when you can feel really negative and that things aren’t positive,” said Katherine.
Katherine spoke movingly on how becoming a Peer Trainer at the College enabled her to, “give back.” “To become a Trainer has been one of the most rewarding experiences, not only for my mental health journey but of my life. The role has given me the opportunity to help others, to work with the students so that they can see their strengths and that ultimately recovery can be a reality as well.”
On its tenth year, Katherine described the students as the “heartbeat of the College.” “Celebrating ten years is a commitment of the students and especially the staff who work so hard to be part of the student’s recovery as well. Here’s to the next ten years of supporting the students on their mental health recovery.”
Senior Mental Health Manager Fiona Dagg explained how the College, started out with “just 11 people at the one course.” “Our numbers at the College have increased year on year and as we prepare to celebrate our tenth we have had well over 10,000 people attend a course at the College or virtually.”
Fiona stresses that the College’s doors are very much open to all and you do not need a referral from your GP. “The Recovery College is open to people who want to access our services, our courses and to family members, friends and carers who are supporting a person on their mental health recovery journey.
Fiona continued: “When I started back in 2012 the first thing I was asked to do was to establish a Recovery College as part of my role. I didn’t really know at the time what that was going to be or what it was going to look like. Here we are ten years on and to see the difference the College has made to those who have accessed it is incredible. The College changes lives – it transforms people’s recovery journey. I have seen how people have made friends, friends for life, have been able to get jobs and essentially have that sense of control over their lives. To be part of that is just phenomenal and I’m just so, so proud of everyone who has been involved – I can’t wait to see what is next!”
To find out more about the Recovery College or to register as a student telephone 028 9041 3872 or visit recovery.college@setrust.hscni.net