Recovery Colleges offer educational courses about mental health and recovery which are designed to increase knowledge and skills and promote self-management. They empower service users to become experts in their own wellbeing and recovery and to get on with life despite mental health challenges.
It was truly a momentous occasion, though unfortunately the rain put paid to the plans for an outdoor barbecue. Instead a mouth-watering, gourmet standard meal was prepared indoors by the hospital’s catering team. This was followed by traditional vintage dairy farm ice-cream, produced locally by ‘Treats on a Tricycle’; much to the glee and enjoyment of everyone present.
Straight after, the graduates and guests were treated to a West End Theatre styled production of the Wizard of Oz, performed flawlessly by the Recovery College Drama class. The impeccable acting had the audience in stitches throughout, with some laughing until they cried with a standing ovation at the end.
Then came the presentation of the AQA certificates which the graduates had attained over the course of the year. In addition to this, peer leads that co-produced and co-delivered classes, sessions, or workshops received certificates of facilitation. This was to acknowledge their hard work and contribution to the success of Godden Green’s Recovery College initiative, in its first year of inception.
To close the ceremony Dr Karim (Consultant) and Danmore Padare (Hospital Manager) thanked all of the organisers, parents and carers and above all; the service users, who had shown enthusiasm in getting the most out of the classes as well as making the Recovery College part of their recovery journey.