Recovery Colleges; how effective are they?

Purpose- Recovery Colleges are education-based mental health resources, utilising practitioner and lived experience expertise, promoting skills to enhance student independence. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of engagement with a Recovery College in Northern England on student wellbeing. Design/methodology/approach - Feedback questionnaires were analysed from 89 students attending the Recovery College. Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMBS) and Empower Flower (a measure of personal resources) data for 56 students were compared pre- and post-attendance at courses. Findings - The SWEMBS and Empower Flower indicated improvements in wellbeing and personal resources pre- to post-attendance at Recovery College courses. Satisfaction with the service was high. Students saw the service as unique, accepting and enabling. Students noted they developed a sense of hope, confidence and aspirations. They related this to practical changes, e.g. increasing work-related activity and decreasing service use. Research limitations/implications - This research suggests that there is a need for further evaluation of the unique contribution that Recovery Colleges can make to mental wellbeing, and the mechanisms involved in promoting the process of recovery. Practical implications - The Recovery College may be a cost-effective way to provide a supportive recovery-orientated environment which promotes students' ability to build self-confidence and skills, enabling them to connect with others and progress towards independence and valued goals. This complements more traditional mental health services. Originality/value - This paper reports on an area of mental health development where there is very limited research, adding valuable data to the literature.