How to find us. Prospectus April July 2013 Summer Term. Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. CNWL recoverycollege

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1 How to find us Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Great Portland Street A4201 Albany St Albany St Osnaburgh St Robert St Robert St Osnaburgh St Laxton Pl Euston Rd Stanhope St Longford St William Rd CNWL Recovery College Triton Square A501 Euston Rd Fitzroy St Hampstead Road Warren Street Warren St St James Gardens University College Hospital H Whitfield Pl Euston Tottenham Ct Rd Starcross St N Gower St Cardington St Cobourg St Euston Buildings Euston Square Grafton Way London Euston Rail Gower Pl Euston Euston Eversholt St Euston Rd Endsleigh Gardens University College London Taviton St CNWL Recovery College, 2nd Floor, Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL Tel: The college hub is located within a short walking distance of the following underground stations: Warren Street (Victoria and Northern Lines) Euston Square, Great Portland Street (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines) Euston mainline and underground station The following bus routes are located near the CNWL Recovery College: 10, 18, 24, 27, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205, 390. Courses are run in local CNWL Recovery College venues and detailed information of these will be sent to you when you attend a course at these locations. Map links to all CNWL Recovery College venues are available on our website. Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL. Tel: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust March 2013 Visit our website ww.cnwl.nhs.uk Prospectus April July 2013 Summer Term CNWL recoverycollege

2 Contents CNWL recoverycollege Become an expert in your own recovery with courses/workshops on: specific mental health conditions supporting people into employment developing knowledge and skills rebuilding your life Welcome 5 About the CNWL Recovery College 6 Student access to CNWL Recovery College 7 Understanding mental health difficulties and treatment 8-11 Understanding a diagnosis of depression Understanding a diagnosis of psychosis Understanding a diagnosis of personality disorder Understanding dementia Understanding your medication Understanding self-harm Rebuilding your life Introduction to recovery Recovery and social inclusion CNWL Recovery College taster sessions for supporters (family, friends and carers) You and your wellbeing - a dozen ways to make it better Go smoke-free the stress-less way Telling your story Planning for life beyond services Taking back control health and wellbeing plans Journey to self-discovery: Making my life better Health and wellbeing for carers Telling your caring story Introduction to managing stress Introduction to mindfulness Living with change To tell or not to tell what to say to your employer A good night s sleep Managing holidays and anniversaries Spirituality and wellbeing Developing knowledge and skills Employment: recovery in action Making it work at work Assertiveness skills The ward round how can we get the best out of it? Introduction to problem solving Better thinking about money Personalisation in mental health It s your move managing a social housing tenancy Getting involved 26 How to organise and chair meetings Recovery and user expertise Train the trainers New courses and workshops 27 Access to venues and facilities 28 Frequently asked questions Student Charter 31 Code of Conduct 32 Registration form How to find us

3 I felt supported by the trainers and by CNWL, the peer workers had such passion, I could feel it! Welcome to the CNWL Recovery College... a joint learning environment for people who use Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) services, their supporters and CNWL staff. We are really pleased to offer you our new prospectus. We have developed a diverse curriculum of recovery courses and workshops and hope you will find something that interests you. Recovery describes your personal journey with mental health difficulties and the steps you take to rebuild and live a meaningful and satisfying life. The college follows an adult education model and aims to deliver a responsive, peer-led education and training curriculum of recovery focused workshops and courses. We aim to promote opportunities for the recovery and social inclusion of people with experience of mental illness. At the college the courses are designed to re-skill and assist students to grow in the way they want to. We want students to have a say in what works for them, to have a voice, to be heard, to have choices and to have more control in their recovery journey. All of our workshops and courses are co-developed and co-delivered by people with lived experience of mental illness and mental health practitioners. Courses and workshops are open to people with lived experience and staff from all services and departments across the Trust in order for us to learn from each other. Participants are treated as equals and play a role alongside staff running and leading courses at the college. We deliver courses in the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Brent, Hillingdon, Harrow, Westminster and Camden. In the event that you are unable to attend a course or workshop for which you have registered we would really appreciate it if you would contact the admissions office and let us know, giving as much notice as possible. By doing so, you will enable us to offer your place to somebody else. People with mental illness can come together without stigma and learn Free courses are available to: CNWL service users Supporters family, friends and carers Members of staff 4 5

4 About the CNWL Recovery College Student access to the CNWL Recovery College The CNWL Recovery College is the third college of it s kind to be developed in the UK and other national NHS Trusts are interested in developing similar colleges. The CNWL Recovery College is organised using a hub and spoke model. The college hub comprises the core CNWL Recovery College team, admissions office and training facilities and is located on the second floor of CNWL s Trust headquarters at Stephenson House. Learning and development activities, delivered on behalf of the CNWL Recovery College in Hillingdon, Harrow, Brent, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea are collectively referred to as CNWL Recovery College spokes. Feedback from students is essential to us; the college is here to serve you. We welcome your comments through completing individual course evaluations and face-to-face feedback. At the end of every term we have commissioned an independent body to evaluate the previous term through user led focus groups where students are invited back to share their experiences of attending the college. This information is presented anonymously and we are committed to learning from it to ensure the college offers a service which is informed and shaped by our students. Courses and workshops can fill up fast so please take a look at the wide range of activities on offer, complete the registration form at the back of the prospectus and send it to us as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can download an electronic registration form from our website and send it to us by . Student eligibility criteria Courses are available for: Individuals who currently or have previously used services delivered by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) Supporters of service users (family, friends and carers) CNWL staff (this includes Local Authority staff, working within CNWL integrated services) Individuals aged 16 and over (we are hoping to provide access for younger students in the future) GPs who deliver services within the Trust s catchment area Carer support workers from the voluntary sector Courses are not currently open to: Students on clinical placements within the Trust (e.g. nursing, occupational therapy, social work, medical, psychology etc.) Staff who are not employed by CNWL Members of the general public. Bespoke courses for partner and external organisations Courses are open to students who do not use CNWL services or are not employed by the Trust but will incur a charge. Please contact us for more information. Any queries should be referred to Syena Skinner CNWL Recovery College Manager: syena.skinner@nhs.net Please note current courses are provided free of charge. In the future, courses may be open to students who do not use CNWL services or are not employed by the Trust and will incur a charge. Helps to understand a bit more. Reinforces my knowledge of illness/diagnosis. 6 7

5 Understanding mental health difficulties and treatment Understanding mental health difficulties and treatment Understanding a diagnosis of depression Understanding a diagnosis of psychosis Understanding a diagnosis of personality disorder NEW Understanding dementia Depression goes beyond feelings of sadness or unhappiness, as these feelings don t just go away. Students will have the chance to learn about depression and how it can affect thoughts, feelings, behaviour and day-to-day living. This course will explore how depression affects men and women, those younger and older, the different types of depression and how it is diagnosed. If you have been diagnosed with depression you might be left feeling upset, confused or even shocked. Alternatively you may feel a sense of relief, that you now know what you are facing, or perhaps you stand somewhere in between. This workshop offers a space to discuss your experiences and learn from others too. Attending the college has given me a sense of purpose, fresh air, meeting people, talking, listening... Student The experience of psychosis, such as hearing voices or experiencing delusions, are surprisingly common, and can lead to a diagnosis such as schizophrenia. For those diagnosed with psychosis, it can be a frightening and life changing event. There are lots of popular myths about what psychosis is and how it affects individuals, which makes coming to terms with this diagnosis even harder. This introductory workshop aims to give an awareness of issues relating to the process of diagnosis, possible treatment options and ways to promote self-help and recovery. We will explore personal experiences of psychosis, discuss and identify some of the useful ways people have found to manage their own experiences, in order that they can get on freely with their lives. Personality disorders are common, long-lasting mental health conditions that affect how people view and manage their emotions and relate to other people. This workshop discusses: What is meant by personality disorder in general and the impact of having that diagnosis How personality disorders may influence other aspects of a person s mental and physical health Specific treatments for personality disorders as well as how people can help themselves to regain some control in their lives. Dementia is the term used to describe a group of experiences including memory loss, confusion, mood changes and difficulty with day-to-day tasks. There are many causes of dementia, with Alzheimer s being the most common. Understanding the common difficulties can help us to manage the challenges, which will also be related to someone s personality and personal history. This introductory workshop will look at: The different forms of dementia (including myths and stereotypes) and ways of managing symptoms The emotional and physical impact on someone and their world Helpful ways of communicating and making a connection with someone with dementia. I have learnt about communicating in a more positive and less labelling way. As a carer I feel this is really important. Student 8 9

6 Understanding mental health difficulties and treatment Understanding your medication Understanding self-harm Spotlight: Understanding your medication For some people medication might be a shortterm strategy to help get through a difficult time, for others it could be a longer term decision that enables someone to live their life to the full with a mental health condition. If you have been prescribed medication by your doctor or you are thinking about this as an option for yourself, then it might feel like a confusing time. It could also feel this way, because there are so many different drugs to treat mental health conditions. This workshop guides you through some of the most commonly asked questions, such as; What is the drug designed to do? How does it work? How effective is it? How long does it take to work? What are the side effects? We will talk you through the different medications available, alongside exploring strategies that have been helpful for some people when wanting to combat unpleasant side effects. Whether you are taking medication yourself or know someone who is and want to support them, this workshop will provide you with a step-by-step guide, leaving you with a much greater understanding. It has given me hope and direction Life can, at times, be hard to cope with, especially if you have experienced traumatic events. Sometimes, it feels that the only way to feel better or express how you feel is to hurt yourself in some way. What starts as a private act, can become a habit, which can get out of control and can also be very embarrassing to talk about. As with many embarrassing things, the reality is that many more people self-harm than you think. Because it is something that many people find difficult to understand, there are lots of myths about self-harm and it can be seen as a taboo subject that is uncomfortable to admit and address. Often self-harm and suicide are seen as being related and therefore those seeking help are reluctant to do so. The aim of the workshop is to explore the facts and realities of self-harm, how it is treated and most importantly, ways in which people manage it or support someone they care about. Medication comes in a variety of forms, including tablets, liquids, injections, inhalers and ointments. Quite often it is easy to feel confused because there are so many different medicines, with new medicines being introduced all the time. Some medicines may be known by several different names; the trade name, the generic name, or the chemical group name. For some people medication can be taken for a short length of time and for others a lifelong experience. With this in mind, the choices of medication open to people takes on even greater significance. How can you make an informed choice that is right for you? If you support someone who takes medication, you need information too. Some medication does work better for some people than for others and it can take a while before the best medication, or the best dosage of that medication, can be found for the person that you are caring for. Many people feel that they would like to have more information about their proposed medication before they start it. Questions they may have include: What is the medication for? How does it work? How effective is it? How often will I have to take it? How long will I have to take it? If I am taking any other medication, will it be all right to take them together? Will I still be able to drive? What are the side effects, and what should I do if I get them? Do I have to take it at any particular time of day? When I want to stop taking it, am I likely to have any problems with withdrawal? The workshop is co-facilitated by a pharmacist and a peer trainer, who will guide you through some of the most commonly, asked questions. This workshop will introduce you to sources of information about different medications. It will also explore strategies that could be helpful for those who want to combat unpleasant side effects and also considers how everyone can optimise their health, and wellbeing whilst taking medication. The workshop is suitable for people using services, their supporters (family, friends and carers) and CNWL staff

7 Rebuilding your life Rebuilding your life Introduction to recovery Recovery and social inclusion CNWL Recovery College taster sessions for supporters (family, friends and carers) You and your wellbeing a dozen ways to make it better One-day workshop If you are new at the CNWL Recovery College or wanting a fresh look at recovery this may be a good starting point. Many people find being diagnosed with mental health difficulties devastating. Too often people feel that their life is over that they will never be able to fulfil their dreams and ambitions or lead a satisfying and valued life. But it does not have to be this way. Whether a person is young or older, whether they have only recently been diagnosed or whether they have had a diagnosis for some time, and no matter how serious the person s difficulties, recovery is possible. It is possible for people to rebuild a meaningful, valued and satisfying life. This introductory workshop explores the impact of mental health difficulties on people s lives, what helps people to grow within and beyond what has happened and rebuild their lives. It s OK to be me... Student Four-week course One-day workshop each week Recovery is about changing the experience of people who have experience of mental health issues. It is a framework for understanding mental health as experienced by those with lived experience. It challenges current beliefs about madness in society and has significant implications for service delivery and development. This course is intended to build upon your existing experience, insights and knowledge of recovery and social inclusion. It will comprise a mix of presentations and exercises so that you have an opportunity to apply new principles and will enable participants to develop the approach, skills and values of recovery focused practice for people with mental health issues. My perception of how I carry out my work i.e. approach towards the people I work with has improved. Student A programme of two-hour taster sessions that can be attended individually or as a series. This is a great opportunity to meet others with similar experiences and share knowledge within a learning environment. Workshops are available in the evening and during the day. The workshops focus on the following topics: Workshop 1 Thinking about the major mental health concepts and treatment approaches Workshop 2 Introduction to recovery Workshop 3 Carers journeys: telling your own story Workshop 4 Knowing your way around the mental health system: mental health services and the Care Programme Approach Workshop 5 Knowing your way around the mental health system: dealing with crisis Workshop 6 Coping with the challenges of caring Workshop 7 Coping with the challenges of addictions. One-day workshop You will hear about, and discuss, a dozen key areas, which have a powerful impact on human physical and mental health. You will also have the opportunity to carry out a wellbeing check on yourself and produce a personal action plan to help you make improvements to enhance your wellbeing. We will also include suggestions about resources, which can support you to achieve this. Come prepared to consider information on a range of physical and mental health issues, and identify how this may relate to your personal life-style and wellbeing. This course is relevant for everyone - there is always potential for change! Please ensure that you book a place in advance if you wish to attend

8 Rebuilding your life Go smoke-free the stress-less way Ten-week course each week (Includes 4 weeks foundation course and 6 weeks quit support) This course aims to support you to quit smoking and improve your mental and physical health and wellbeing at the same time. Yes, it really is possible to be free of cigarettes and all the stress, expense and ill health that comes with them. We will guide you to prepare yourself to quit, support you through the early weeks after you quit and help you stay on track. Without a doubt, quitting smoking can seem an impossible challenge if you have come to rely on smoking to help you cope with your problems. However, with thorough preparation it can be much easier than you think and as a successful quitter you will feel better than you have done in a long, long time! All we ask is that you come to the course genuinely wanting to quit and are prepared to participate as fully as you can in the process, working with us and fellow quitters in the group. You don t have to have the know-how or the confidence at this stage that s what the course aims to help you with. Telling your story Eight-week course each week Courses are open to people who currently or previously have used CNWL mental health services. The experience of having mental health difficulties can be devastating. It can mean being faced with lots of strong emotions and feelings and often, a loss of direction in life. The process of telling your story is a way of making sense of what has happened allows you to gain a better sense of who we are. It can help to put things into perspective and find a way through feelings of hopelessness but most of all it can help to heal. This course uses many mediums, including art, writing and collage for participants to explore expressing their experiences and emotions. Participants do not have to be artists or good at writing to attend the course as it is about finding a way to accept, express and celebrate. Participants will be encouraged to produce their recovery story in a medium of their choice to be presented in the final session (optional). Spotlight: Go smoke-free the stress-less way Dare to believe you can be free.. of nicotine!! Why not sign up for our Go smoke-free the stress-less way course at the CNWL Recovery College. Don t believe you can do it? Well, at first, our latest quitters who attended the 10 week smoking cessation course at the CNWL Recovery College didn t believe it either. But now, they re feeling happier, calmer, healthier, breathing more easily and enjoying exercise more. They have more money to spend on things that really make them feel good. Each of our quitters are rightly proud of themselves and what they ve achieved by becoming a non-smoker. How about you? We believe that you can do it too! What happens on the course? The first part of the course works on helping you to improve your self esteem, emotional and physical wellbeing in a range of ways before you quit, so you re well prepared. You will be supported to set a quit date in the middle of the course. The trainers will be on hand to provide ongoing support during the first few weeks after you quit until you ve well and truly nailed it! How long is the course The course includes four weeks foundation and six week quit support. Is the course for me? All we ask is that you come to the course genuinely wanting to quit and are prepared to participate as fully as you can in the process, working with us and fellow quitters in the group. You don t have to have the know-how or the confidence at this stage that s what the course aims to help you with. Who can attend As with all the CNWL Recovery College courses this one is open to people who use services, their supporters (family, friends and carers) and CNWL staff. Go smoke free train the trainer If you are interested in training to deliver this course please contact the admissions office for more information

9 Rebuilding your life NEW Planning for life beyond services Taking back control health and wellbeing plans Coming Soon Journey to self discovery: Making my life better Six-week course Two-and-a-half-hour workshop each week Being discharged from services is a positive step forward in your recovery but can be a challenging or unsettling experience. This six week course aims to support students to make sense of the experience and to develop skills to manage the transition as smoothly as possible. We will consider what helps people to manage the process of discharge. We will provide an opportunity for students to develop their own individual plan for discharge and beyond. This course is also for supporters (family, friends and carers) and staff who wish to learn about how to support people to plan for a life beyond services. It was quite unique to be amongst so many service users who have crossed into recovery, I ve never experienced that before. Student WEEK 1 - Moving on We will be exploring what discharge from services means to us. This will include hearing personal accounts of the experience of discharge from different perspectives. WEEK 2 - What s my story? We will focus on the idea of discharge as a process rather than an event. We will look at where students have come from, where they are now and where they want to be. WEEK 3 - What do I need now? We will focus on finding things that make life meaningful: people, places and activities. WEEK 4 - Where now? We will look at practical problem solving and sign-post students to sources of help and information, including issues such as housing and finances. WEEK 5 - How can I look after myself? We will consider ways in which we can look after ourselves during life s ups and downs. WEEK 6 - So what s my plan? We will be creating our own individual discharge plans, including information on other CNWL Recovery College courses that will build on what students have learnt so far. Six-week course each week It often feels as if mental health difficulties are completely beyond your control. It can be tempting to think that you must leave the professionals to sort out your difficulties for you. Mental health workers have developed some treatments and therapies that can be helpful and provide some support. However, we believe each person with mental health difficulties can become the real expert in their own self care. Finding treatment that works best for you is important but it is only part of the story. By understanding the pattern of your own difficulties it is possible to find things you can do yourself, to keep well. The purpose of this course is to help participants to identify the things that help manage the ups and downs, so that your difficulties do not interfere with your life as much and you can do the things you want to do. For me it is about staying in touch and learning about my own recovery. The group experience is invaluable. Student This is a new course designed in collaboration with CNWL s Learning Disabilities Service and people who use these services. The course is designed to help students explore ways to make their life better and achieve their goals. The pilot course will be delivered from March 2013 and is only available for people with learning disabilities and their supporters. For more information please contact Sam Pisano at the CNWL Learning Disabilities Service: tel: sam.pisano2@nhs.net Health and wellbeing plan booklet 16 17

10 Rebuilding your life Health and wellbeing for carers Telling your caring story Spotlight: Carers courses Six-week course Two-hour workshop each week Supporting someone you care about, who is facing mental health challenges, can easily take over your whole life. It is tempting to think only of their needs and ignore your own. This is not good for you and not good for the person you love and care about. Your health and wellbeing are important. On this course we look at drawing up a plan so that you can look after yourself while supporting someone you love and care about. It makes some suggestions for things you might want to think about but there is no set formula. Different people choose to develop their plans in different ways. The sessions focus on the following: Your health and wellbeing maintenance plan Your health and wellbeing first-aid kit A plan for managing difficulties that arise and things that get to you A plan for how you can look after yourself when you are not feeling 100% A plan for what to do when everything is getting too much for you. Six-week course Two-and-a-half-hour workshop each week Supporting someone on their recovery journey can bring strong emotions, major life changes and significant challenges to our expectations of life. Telling our story can help us to make sense of what has happened and to regain a sense of who we are. The course will use different media including art, writing, collage and poetry to help students to explore experiences and emotions. Being good at art or writing is not important we are aiming to express ourselves. Students will be encouraged to produce a story in a medium of their choice to be shared in the final session (optional). Why are there courses for carers/supporters? The CNWL Recovery College is for everyone. We have, however, created some courses and workshops for a particular group of people who may be facing similar challenges. Sometimes in mental health services there has been less emphasis on supporting carers. People who are supporting a loved one on their recovery journey also face a recovery journey of their own, as they seek to make sense of what has happened. We can only care for others if we also look after ourselves. Health and wellbeing for carers focuses on thinking in detail about your own wellbeing: the ways in which you can care for yourself and plan for the future in all aspects of your life. Telling your caring story gives carers the chance to think about the challenges they have faced in supporting someone through mental health difficulties. Carers too are likely to have experienced profound emotions, huge upheavals and painful adjustments in their lives. This course aims to support you to explore the experiences, feelings and ideas involved in your own stories. Are these the only courses for carers to go on? Carers are welcome on all of our courses. By seeking different perspectives and learning together we can all move forward in understanding recovery challenges. Coming here has given me hope that things could be different for my son. In addition to these courses we offer a programme of two-hour taster sessions for supporters. Sessions can be attended individually or as a series

11 Rebuilding your life Rebuilding your life Introduction to managing stress Introduction to mindfulness Living with change the only constant in life is change To tell or not to tell what to say to your employer My mind is paralysed, I m going to faint, I can t think straight, my body aches from tension, I can t get worrying thoughts out of my head Things can change. This introductory workshop examines the causes of stress and anxiety, gives you practical activities and methods that may help you to alleviate them. Useful tips, good advice and help to make me more aware of my own thought process and the state of stress/anxiety itself. Student Six-week course each week Life is challenging and messy and when we are facing our own personal struggles, we might experience our minds being filled with worrying thoughts or critical thinking. There are times when we might try and tackle these thoughts, but then we are still left feeling unhappy or perhaps anxious. Mindfulness gives you the chance to step out of the loop and see things differently. Students will learn that mindfulness is about purposeful, non-judgemental, moment-to-moment awareness of our experience. It s a way of having complete focus on the here and now, to our thoughts, feelings and physical sensations. Our thoughts do not necessarily reflect the complete truth, but it can often feel this way. Becoming mindful allows you the space to stand back from your thinking. One-day workshop Modern life moves at a rapid pace and we are increasingly expected to roll with it. Whether these events are daunting and unexpected or pleasant and welcome, for many of us the challenge of adjusting to these changes can take its toll. While we cannot stand in the way of change, we can choose how we respond to its demands. This introductory workshop explores some of the common responses to change and looks at strategies that we can implement to support us in taking future changes in our stride. This workshop explores issues around discussing personal information including mental health problems, addictions and dealing with stigma in relation to employment. Once diagnosed with a mental health problem it can be difficult to decide who, what and how to tell employers and colleagues. Often the fear of what other people may think or react can put people off pursuing their goals. Stigma can affect relationships at work, family, friends and people in the community. The aim of this workshop is to help people to explore these issues and help participants work out a way forward. There is no right answer, the choice is yours. Mindfulness practice, meditation, breath work, self-compassion and self-acceptance, will be strong themes within the course. I now don t feel ashamed about my mental illness 20 21

12 Rebuilding your life A good night s sleep Developing knowledge and skills or multi-session course Do you have difficulty getting off to sleep at night? Wake up early in the morning? Spend the night tossing and turning? How much sleep do we need? Are there different types of sleep? The common causes of sleep problems and ways of overcoming sleeping difficulties will also be explored. The aim of this workshop is to help you improve your understanding of sleep and ways of dealing with sleep problems. Attending the college has given me a sense of purpose, fresh air, meeting people, talking, listening! Student Managing holidays and anniversaries Birthdays, Christmas, religious holidays and anniversaries can be difficult times of the year. They can bring up all sorts of difficult emotions especially when you are not feeling at your best. This workshop is designed to take the stress out of them and help give you some tips and ideas on how to best to manage and get through them. Spirituality and wellbeing One-day workshop Exploring spirituality with people who use mental health services conversations that connect. Conversations about spirituality are increasingly being seen as integral to the wellbeing of a person, however spiritual issues are often ignored. Spirituality often becomes more important in times of distress as it can help to give people a new sense of meaning, hope and peace of mind. This workshop will enable students to explore spirituality and to continue or start a journey with spirituality. Employment: recovery in action Five-week course One-day workshop each week This course is particularly useful for people interested in finding paid work, or caring for someone who is interested in paid work and CNWL staff who would like to learn more about how to support others to access paid employment. Employment is often identified by people who have experienced mental health problems and/ or addictions as representing a key part of their recovery journey. A return to employment, or even starting work for the first time in life, can provide an opportunity to pursue personally valued ambitions in a tangible way. People often describe a positive snowball effect of paid work on mental wellbeing due to its ability to create new relationships, build skills, provide financial rewards and give an enhanced sense of meaning to life. Unfortunately some also experience challenges in accessing paid work opportunities, due to factors like real and anticipated stigma, the complex benefits system, lack of up-to-date work experience and practical job seeking skills. This course explores topics such as, vocational goal setting, job seeking, application and interview skills (co-run by CNWL s Human Resources Department). Students will learn how best to manage the transition into work, manage their personal information in the workplace, benefits and find out about local employment support they Making it work at work Five-week course each week Starting a new job, going to a new place or starting a new course can be a stressful experience. Knowing how to start a conversation and build new friendships can at times be daunting. Dealing with people who annoy you can be challenging. This course is aimed at anyone who would like to gain further skills in communicating with others. This course is open to anyone that wants to learn more about how to deal with different social situations. This is a five-week course which will cover the following areas: Meeting new people strategies to starting a conversation How to deal with conflict How to assert yourself in tricky situations Getting to know people better...how to sell yourself, maintain friendships and develop social networks. Presenting yourself in the workplace how to get the best out of work and manage relationships with colleagues or supervisors. can access

13 Developing knowledge and skills Developing knowledge and skills NEW Assertiveness skills The ward round how can we all get the best out of it? An introduction to decision-making Personalisation in mental health getting a life not a service Four-week course Two-hour workshop each week Assertiveness is a way of communicating that allows us to express our point of view and state our needs while respecting the needs of others. We can all find it hard to say what we really mean or say no to certain things and if we are struggling with health problems or other stresses it can be more difficult. In these workshops students will have the chance to explore and learn: What assertiveness is and assess how we behave in different situations The different ways in which we communicate and what assertive behaviour looks like Tools and techniques of assertive behaviour including saying no and giving and receiving feedback There will be the opportunity for students to identify situations from their own lives where they would like to be more assertive and plan and practise these in class. Two-hour introductory workshop The ward round is an important meeting between the service user and the team working with them. Service users can find this meeting intimidating, with as many as six to eight people present, possibly some of whom the service user has never met before. Many service users remember the ward round as an experience which was both fear provoking and humiliating and found it difficult to have a voice within them. This workshop explores the purpose of ward rounds and offers suggestions and strategies to increase confidence to get the best out of it. From negotiation skills to suggested questions to ask, this short practical session provides opportunities to learn or develop skills and practice them in a small group. Sometimes problems can seem overwhelming when we are not feeling at our best. It easy to ignore them in the hope they will go away, repeating old patterns of behaviour, or just giving up. This introductory workshop will help give you some new ideas, tips and examples of different ways of approaching and solving your problems. Better thinking about money Six-week course each week You don t get into money problems because of money; you don t sort out money problems with money This course provides information about everyday money management. It explores spending behaviours and attitudes towards money, topics addressing essential budgeting skills, how to increase your income, necessary basics on family finance, saving and borrowing, as well as tools to tackle and manage debt. This workshop introduces personalisation and examines the implications for those using and working in mental health services. It challenges students to think about services in a different way, that traditional service-led approaches have often meant that people have not received the right help at the right time and have been unable to shape the kind of support they need. I identified a gap in my personal knowledge which this course has started to help fill. Student It s your move managing a social housing tenancy Six-week course each week Renting and moving into a Council or housing association property can be a daunting and stressful experience. Having to deal with the responsibilities of sorting out utilities, bills, rent and entitlements can seem like a huge undertaking and can feel overwhelming. This course is equivalent to Entry Level and Level 1 for Effective Money Management of the Open College Network (OCN). This workshop is designed to give you all the information you need to help make your home a happy and safe one. This course is delivered in conjunction with Credit Action

14 Getting Involved Coming Soon How to organise and chair meetings New courses and workshops It can be quite daunting to be responsible for organising and structuring a meeting. This workshop aims to help give people the confidence to actively participate in running a meeting and to understand the processes that are required to chair them. Train the trainers Two-day training workshop (with a two-week break between days) Would you like to become a trainer at the CNWL Recovery College? This workshop aims to teach individuals how to effectively deliver courses as a co-facilitator at the CNWL Recovery College. The course incorporates learning theories and expertise on presenting skills. There is an expectation that students will deliver their own micro-teaching session on day two of the workshop. Due to popular demand, a selection process will be undertaken to allocate places. In order to apply for this course, students need to have completed the Telling my story course and Introduction to recovery workshop. This is invaluable for people wanting to get involved in organising service user involvement, or for staff wanting to improve their management skills. Recovery and user expertise One-day workshop This introductory course will provide a back to basics opportunity for service users, their supporters (family, friends, carers) and CNWL staff to address the question, What do we mean by user involvement? and how can this be more effective. The course has been designed in partnership with the User Focus Monitoring Team (UFM). UFM are a team of service users who monitor and evaluate local mental health services. The course will help students explore how they can work in partnership with others to improve their own individual care and treatment through having more meaningful conversations with carers and staff members. It will also examine how all students can become involved in using their expertise at a strategic level within CNWL. Thinking about mental health and addictions Not just a token! Genuine co-production Using lived experience in meetings and forums Gathering recovery stories Food for thought Introduction to understanding voices Managing anger Mental health awareness Individual budgets a creative approach Recovery and the Care Programme Approach Citizenship and voting rights Communicating for recovery I felt very safe. Staff are very professional

15 Access to venues and facilities Frequently asked questions We aim to provide an accessible and inclusive learning environment for all students at the CNWL Recovery College. Please let us know in advance of attending your courses, whether you have additional needs and we will do our best to support you. Disabled access Most of the venues we use for courses/workshops are accessible, and have disabled toilet facilities. Religion Where possible we will provide a prayer room located in, or near, the training venues. This may vary at certain sites but when identified every effort will be made to ensure a private and quiet space is available. Hearing loop All training rooms have hearing loops at Stephenson House. For other training venues please contact the admissions office to discuss your requirements. Translation We can provide a British Sign Language interpreter should you require this. We can also provide interpreters for those who require the courses to be translated into their first language. Additional support The CNWL Recovery College welcomes students with additional needs. When completing the registration form please let us know your specific requirements. This will enable us to provide additional support to enhance your learning experience. Please do not hesitate to contact the CNWL Recovery College admissions office if you would like to discuss access and any additional requirements for any of our training venues. Training room How do I find a course? All courses are advertised in the prospectus and can be downloaded from our website Alternatively you can give us a call on or us on recoverycollege.cnwl@nhs.net and we can send one out to you. How do I register for a course? If you use CNWL services, or are a supporter (family, friend or carer), please complete the registration form at the back of the prospectus or download it from our website. CNWL staff should register in the same way as they would for any other internal course, through the Trust s online booking system. What do I do if I need further information about a course? We are always happy to talk to you regarding any information that you may need, either by phone or . How do I check if there are still places on my chosen course? You can contact the admissions office at the CNWL Recovery College. How much do courses cost? Current courses are provided free of charge to eligible students. In the future charges may apply to some courses for students who do not use CNWL services or who are not employed by the Trust. When is the CNWL Recovery College open? The opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 4.30pm. Courses run throughout the day and there are also some evening courses. What are the types of courses you offer at the College? Courses will be offered in the following areas: Understanding the experience of mental health problems and their treatments Making sense and meaning out of personal experiences, including thoughts, perceptions and unexplained distress Rebuilding your life with a mental health condition Getting involved. Can carers attend with the person that they are supporting? Yes, all courses can accommodate this. We ask that anyone accompanying a student will take an active part in the course. Any supporters who wish to accompany students are required to book onto the course in the same way as all participants

16 Student Charter Are the courses available in other languages? All the courses can be translated into another language upon request through the use of interpreters. Can I access courses elsewhere? Yes, you may attend the course and location of your choice where places are available. The college operates a hub and spoke system. We deliver courses across five boroughs where CNWL delivers services within, Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington and Chelsea (north and south) and Westminster. Is it possible to visit and look around? Yes, we run an open day and an open evening once a month where we are available to answer queries and help with registration. Is there access to computers? Not at the moment. We are looking to establish a resource facility which would encompass IT and paper resources in the future. Are there parking facilities? No, but there are public car parks and meter parking in the surrounding areas that may charge. This is the responsibility of the vehicle owner. Do you supply refreshments? We provide tea and coffee during breaks where possible. This may vary from site to site due to different facilities being available. We are happy for you to bring your own food/lunch. A seated area is available for students to use. It was quite unique to be amongst so many service users who have crossed into recovery, I ve never experienced that before. If I have specific requirements such as large print is that possible? We do everything we can to meet your needs. As long as you let us know in advance of attending your course, we will do all we can to support your requirements. Before you become a student at the CNWL Recovery College You can expect us to: deal with your enquiries in an efficient, professional and friendly manner provide information, guidance and advice on courses and programmes of study. We expect you to: give us the relevant information that we need to register you. Throughout your time at the CNWL Recovery College You can expect us to: provide you with a warm and professional welcome at all times provide a course handbook explaining what your course will offer ensure courses are of a high quality and promote hope, opportunity and control offer advice and guidance on learning and study skills, and the use of learning resources provide support, which will help you monitor and review your progress if you want to devise well planned timetables that, where possible, will take your needs into consideration discuss your specific needs if you tell us about a disability or learning difficulty discuss your next steps upon completion of your course, such as enrolling on another course, if you wish to do so provide a safe and healthy study environment provide an environment free from discrimination respect your personal beliefs, life choices, religious and cultural practices and traditions give you the opportunity to express your views of the college and its services without fear of recrimination. We expect you to: attend courses punctually, if you are running late or no longer able to attend please contact us make the most of your student experience and your course be considerate of all students, college staff and others working on a college site by observing the CNWL Recovery College Code of Conduct comply with the college s policies and procedures respect the individual rights of all members of the college ask us for any clarification if you are not sure about anything

17 Code of Conduct The aim of the code is to ensure that everyone who attends the CNWL Recovery College has a positive, enriching experience and will want to return. CNWL Recovery College Registration form Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Cnwl staff please register through the Learning and Development Zone, the online booking system. We have tried to keep these expectations as brief as possible. Everyone attending the college should: behave in a responsible manner that fosters mutual respect and understanding between all members of the college respect the rights, life choices, beliefs and opinion of others and promote freedom of speech not behave in any way that may be considered threatening or disruptive, or be likely to lead to physical or emotional harm to any students or staff refrain from the use of alcohol or unprescribed medication when attending the college not behave in any way that prevents or disrupts learning or other activities within the college locations not use violent disorderly or offensive behaviour or language. We all have a responsibility to ensure that this code is respected and adhered to. Please approach a member of the college staff if you have any concerns. If we feel that you have breached this Code of Conduct, we will discuss this with you and try and find a way forward. Thank you. Recovery in mental health is not about waiting for the storm to be over. It is about learning to dance in the rain. We all need to learn some new dancing steps Peer Recovery Trainer Course registration form for up to three bookings Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS Course/ workshop 1 Course/ workshop 2 Course/ workshop 3 Name* Forenames: Surname: Date of birth* Address* Post code* * Please print clearly DD/MM/YYYY Telephone* Mobile DATE: DATE: DATE: *Please ensure you have completed these sections. here that has helped me I felt kindness and compassion Please circle what contact you have with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust: Supporter User of service Please specify: Family Friend Carer &