Recovery College expands mental health and wellbeing livestreaming at libraries
Livestreaming of mental health and wellbeing courses is being extended among Suffolk libraries to give more people the chance to access help and support.
The library service is again working with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s (NSFT) Recovery College to offer a chance for people to attend courses online but within a group setting after a successful pilot at Ipswich Library at the end of last year.
Recovery College provides free educational workshops and courses for anyone over the age of 16 in Norfolk and Suffolk. The courses are designed to support people to invest in their own wellbeing, find empowerment on their mental health journey and become experts in their own recovery.
Recovery College partnerships development lead Dan Brown said feedback from the first session had been positive. “Those who came along said they liked the opportunity of sharing with each other and valued it and said it was easier to pay attention in a group of people. They also liked the central location.”
The next series of webinars starts on 30 January and will run until the beginning of March. Library staff will be on hand to support those who come along.
Dan said: “The aim of these webinars is to empower people to take control of their own lives and become experts in their own recovery. Inviting people to come along and experience the webinars together in a library gives them a chance to meet other people and discuss the themes covered if they wish.”
Jane Cox, Suffolk Libraries Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Recovery College and to be able to offer the opportunity for more people to be able to take part from our libraries.”
Deputy CEO and Chief Patient Experience Officer Cath Byford welcomed the expansion of the livestreaming as a way of making Recovery College courses more inclusive. She said: “These sessions mean more people can access the courses and also benefit from peer support, which can really help on their recovery journey.”
The sessions are as follows:
First Steps to Overcoming Shame – Thursday 30 January 4-6pm, Ipswich County Library’s Chaucer Room on the second floor of the library.
Introduction to Understanding Autism – Thursday 6 February 2-4.30pm, Ipswich County Library’s Chaucer Room on the second floor of the library.
Welcome to the Recovery College – Tuesday 18 February, 3-4pm. This webinar will be broadcast from meeting rooms in Woodbridge and Bury St Edmunds libraries.
Understanding and Managing ADHD and Q&A – Tuesday 4 March, 2-4pm, Woodbridge Library.
Booking is not essential but will give people access to the full benefits available from the Recovery College. Find out more about the courses and how to sign up.