Spring Edition 2024
The Recovery College Newsletter
Welcome and Thank you
WelcometoourSpring2024editionnewsletter.
TheRecoveryCollegewouldliketowelcomeournewstudentsandwouldliketo praiseeverystudentforalltheircontinuedeffortsandperseverance,traveling theirroadofRecovery.
Contents:
Page 1: Staff updates
Page 2: Student Voice
Page 3: Mental Health Event & Recovery College Social
Page 4 & 5: Signposting
Page 6 & 7: Coping strategies
We would like to congratulate Rosie Simpson on her new role as a Band 6 Senior Peer Trainer, here at the Recovery College.
Rosie has been with the us for 3 years and is a pure joy to have as part of the team. Offering so much hope, kindness and laughter to students and to everyone within the team.
Also we have been so fortunate to welcome Tracy Da Santos, who is now leading the Recovery College Her title is Head of Nursing Professions&QualityCommunity.
Tracy is such an advocate for the college and is ever so passionate about recovery focused education and a truly lovely person to be around
Everyone at The Recovery College are all so delighted to welcome her asafantasticadditiontoourteam.
Wewouldalsoliketothankyouforyourpatiencewithregards tooursmallteamthatwehavepresentlyandhowthishas impactedthecoursesthatwehavebeenabletooffer However,excitingtimesareaheadofusasjobadvertshave beenposted Someofthesepostshavenowclosedand interviewsfortheseroleswillbeheldimminently.
Our latest Student Voice meeting was held on 16th January and featured below are some ideas from students recommending websites and a book suggestion. The next Student Voice meeting will be held on Tuesday 16th April 13:30-15:30 online.
One recommendation is R;pple Suicide Prevention. This was set up by Alice Hendy to ensure more help and support is given to anyone searching for harmful content online.
A book suggestion is The Stolen Focus by Stolen by Johann Hari. It explores the ways in which technology is changing the way we think, work, and interact, and offers practical advice on how to reclaim our attention and focus in a world of distractions.
The Lighthouse is an informal, non-judgemental, out-of-hours mental health service for anyone over the age of 18 who requires short-term support with their mental health. Offering a safe space for those in mental health crisis to get support. The team is made up of people who have lived experience of mental health challenges and using services, people who hold a professional registration, and people who fall across both categories. Alternatively you can drop-in to either venue between the hours of 4:30pm and 10:30pm. Please note, face to face support ends at 11:00pm. If you are unable to drop in and do not have internet access, you can text Lighthouse to 07789390812. The service runs from 4.30pm to 11.30pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
On 8th March, Steve Lowis, Vicky May and Tracy Da Santos were invited by Re: Minds, to run a stall at a mental health event. This event took place in Shirley, Southampton to raise awareness for people aged between 16-25.
The Recovery College only accepts referrals from people over the age of 18 yrs old, yet it was wonderful to have been invited. This was a fantastic opportunity to speak with carers too, in regards to them recognising that their own mental health is just as important as those they are caring for.
There were speakers on certain topics and 19 other stalls, all related to supporting 16-25 year olds with their mental health and their carers. It was well attended and a great turnout. The team loved engaging in the community and informing everyone about the college and its benefits.
The Recovery College Social.
On 26th march, the college held a social online. The theme was based on the Crème Egg. We discussed recipes, how do you eat yours and so much more.
This was well attended and helped students to socialise more with other students on a fun seasonal related theme.
Our next Recovery College Social will be on:
Thursday 13th June 13:30 - 15:30
So if you’re interested, maybe pop along to our Student Voice meeting where we discuss the theme for the next social. Keep an eye out for the invitation closer to the time.
Next Student Voice Meeting:
Tuesday 16th April 13.30 - 15.30
Online
Don’t forget to check out The Recovery College’s on our website, the Online Resources Board, (Padlet) using the link below:
https://www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-list-ofservices/recovery/mental-health-recovery-wellbeingresources#mentalhealthrecoveryandwellbeingresources
To the right is the most recent addition to our Padlet also known as our Online Resources Board: The Tree of Life Café.
The café is a warm and friendly space to meet new people and have a go at crafting, if you wish. Enjoy a cuppa in a welcoming and safe environment.
Hub of hope:
The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It is provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place for the first time. Type in your location and displayed will be everything from anxiety, urgent 24/7 crisis support to therapy.
https://hubofhope.co.uk/services
If you want to hear some inspiring and resilient recovery story telling, then why not pop along to the Touch network. Free entry and refreshments are available too.
“We share and celebrate everyday stories of resilience. By doing so, we prevent struggles with mental wellbeing beginning, or getting worse.
Who knows, maybe one day it could be you inspiring others by sharing your recovery story
https://touch.network/
Michelle T, a student at The Recovery College has shared an art class run locally to her, she has been attending recently. This is called Prescription Art. Michelle has said the following about this weeks class:
“Yesterday we played with ink and colour. It's a safe space where we can create what ever we want. This is one of the things that I produced on only the second session simply from playing about with colour.”
Prescription Art Test Valley is an Art for Wellbeing, social prescribing project focusing on building confidence, friendships and providing an outlet for previously unexplored creative instincts. Art classes run for six weeks and take place Tuesday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm at Dr Peter Centre, Baden Powell Way, Romsey.
If this is of interest to you, speak to the Social Prescriber, Wellness Practitioner or GP at your doctors surgery about a referral. If the Test Valley is not your area, they may be able to refer you to something similar that is available in your local community.
Check out the link below for more information: www.prescriptionarttestvalley.org.
The Stress bucket:
It is normal to feel stress at times, yet too much can hinder your health and wellbeing. Causing problems with worry, anxiety, depression, sleep, eating patterns, ability to relax etc. Below we will describe how to use your stress bucket as a visual tool, effectively. Recognising that everyone has different size buckets.
Above the bucket are all of the stressful things pouring in, to cause you stress. Ranging from financial worries, relationship issues, workload, health etc.
On the side of the bucket, you will notice that there are taps. These represent the things that can help you release the stress in your bucket. Some examples of helpful taps are participating in a Recovery College course, socialising, listening to your favourite music, dancing, time with pets, crafting, meditating, taking time to relax, journaling, walking in nature. These are things that help you manage your stress. Maybe talk with a friend or loved one to see what would be helpful taps for you to apply to your bucket.
Also be aware of the unhelpful taps that relieve the stress in an unhelpful way, causing brief relief that can lead to additional stress pouring into your bucket.
To learn more about understanding stress and how to manage it, look out for our Introduction to Stress in Mental Health course, here at The Recovery College.
We would like to introduce you to Action for Happiness. A registered charity and a movement of people taking action to create a happier and kinder world, together. Their vision and mission statement is detailed below and they have a wealth of apps and evidence based skills to try. One is the daily actions (see calendar below) By downloading the app you can explore so much more too, including joining or helping to set up a group in your area..
Our vision is a happier world, where everyone can thrive.
Our Mission
The mission of Action for Happiness is to help people create a happier world, with a culture that prioritises happiness and kindness.
We do this by helping people get together regularly (face-to-face where possible) to learn evidence-based skills for happier living, feel a sense of belonging and commit to personal action to create more happiness, both for themselves and others.
We have no religious, political or commercial affiliations and welcome people of all faiths (or none) and all parts of society. Members of the movement make a simple pledge: to try to create more happiness in the world.
https://actionforhappiness.org/
The Recovery College team, wish you all a very Happy Easter and look forward to seeing you after the Easter break.
