History of Recovery College

Recovery Colleges began in the 1990s in America as Recovery Education Centres and are now found in over 20 countries worldwide. The first Recovery College in England opened in London in 2009, and today, there are more than 80 across the UK. What started small has now grown into a vast network offering a wide range of courses.

They come in many forms—some run by the NHS, others by third-sector organisations, and some are independent. While they may be funded differently, they all share the goal of being community-focused. Who can sign up for courses depends on the college, with some open to the whole community and others specifically for those in secondary mental health services.

Recovery Colleges follow an Adult Education model, which is different from a clinical or therapy approach. They focus on personal recovery, acknowledging that symptoms may not always disappear but encouraging a meaningful life despite challenges.

Recovery Colleges are based on the Adult Education model, which differs from a clinical approach or therapy. The recovery approach recognises that symptoms may not always go away and focuses on living a meaningful life despite the challenges that people may experience.

Our Recovery College was founded in October 2013 with just a small team offering a handful of courses. Today, it offers a growing annual prospectus with 40+ courses, continuously evolving to meet the needs of students.