Recovery learning sites programme

Between March 2007 and February 2010 we will reach out to approximately 2000 young people living in the South East (Southampton), South West (Dorset) and East Midlands (Derby) regions of England by delivering a range of programmes and activities that enable young people to take control of their own recovery.

We will deliver the only residential recovery learning programme for young people experiencing a mental illness in England and will also provide a unique recovery learning resource for sibling carers and friendship networks. A team of national and regional staff will be employed to provide inspirational recovery learning programmes in creative settings, establish mentoring and peer group support opportunities and design web based personal learning tools. 

As a result, we will enable young people to improve their mental, emotional and physical health, feel a sense of real achievement and begin making safe choices and plans for the future involving lifestyle, work and educational goals. 

Outcomes: 

As a result of the Recovery Learning Project, young people aged 14-25 who are affected by mental illness will be able to:

• enjoy and achieve new skills and experiences that boost personal confidence and self esteem
• believe that recovery is possible
• understand the personal effects of living with a mental illness and stay safe
• understand how to improve mental, emotional and physical health
• develop self help techniques to sustain good health and positive living
• make a positive contribution by speaking out and being heard by the people who influence their lives
• understand and manage the effects of mental illness
• design their own recovery plans
• access the support and resources they need to recover
• engage with peer support opportunities
• work with a personal mentor who has similar life experiences
• develop skills and confidence in using a range of self help/condition management techniques
• access good school, college and community- based information and advice on mental health issues

1. Non residential programme for 19-25 year olds who have experienced first episode psychosis

We will design and deliver a modular based, non residential intervention for people aged 19-25 who have experienced a first episode of psychosis.  The group will meet on a regular basis for a time limited period and the sessions will be facilitated by the team of Senior Regional Recovery Officers, supported by co-facilitators and the Young Person’s Programme Manager(s).  All of the six programmes will target young people with a first episode of psychosis but four will additionally target:

• Young offenders will mental health problems
• Young people with mental health problems who have an experience of living in care
• Young people from a black or minority ethnic community experiencing mental illness.

All of the non-residential recovery learning programmes will be delivered on a group work model that has been developed and proven to be successful with our target beneficiaries. The sibling carers and young offenders groups will operate on a solution focused support group basis. All other groups will be delivered as self management support groups, a group work technique that has been designed by service users within Rethink over the past four years. The self management support groups will trial the use of cognitive behavioral therapy personal workbooks and introduce young people to a range of self help techniques.

2. Residential programme for 19–25 year olds who have experienced first episode psychosis

The Recovery Learning Site team will deliver one residential recovery learning programme, per region in each year (six in total). The programme will offer a short term and intensive activities agenda that will introduce young people to new ideas, new experiences and the opportunity to build greater self esteem and peer support. We will recruit young people aged 19-25 on a regional and a national basis.  The residential will be delivered at an appropriate venue that will offer a safe, therapeutic setting with flexible and creative indoor and outdoor group work space.

3. Modular based non residential programme for 14-18 year olds who have experience, or are at risk of developing, mental health difficulties

We will design and deliver a modular based intervention targeting 10 young people between the ages of 14-18 (delivering 3 programmes a year in each region, 180 participants and 18 programmes in total over the 2 year period). The activity will be designed to achieve raised awareness and prevention of mental illness as well as offering an early intervention for young people demonstrating signs of mental illness. Each session will encourage young people to establish peer group support, build trust and confidence in order to explore personal mental health issues. The groups will act as a place to share information, problem solve and build personal support strategies. We will create a positive, interactive environment where young people can try new activities and gain confidence as a result.

4. Engage with schools and colleges

As part of each recovery learning programme we will engage with the schools and colleges where participants are studying. Our aim will be to raise awareness of mental health amongst pupils, teachers and people working within each setting, changing attitudes, tackling stigma and improving access to advice, information and support. By doing so we aim to improve the educational environment for young people experiencing a mental illness and build a successful educational experience. We will share information on a) how to maintain good mental health b) causes of mental health problems c) help available if young people develop mental health problems – in particular promoting the regional recovery learning programmes.  We will do this outside of and in addition to curriculum based teaching through an advice and information pack for teachers and educational support staff. The pack will help identify mental health problems amongst students and signpost young people towards support services.

5. Mentoring support for 14–25 year olds who are affected by mental illness and engaged with one of the RLS programmes

We will design and deliver a mentoring support service within each of the three regions for young people aged 14-25 who are affected by mental illness and engaged with one of the RLS programmes.  We will recruit a team of volunteer mentors (targeting 30 in each region) who will mainly consist of young people with an experience of living with mental illness. The mentoring support model will be based on approaches developed by Rethink and The Prince’s Trust.  We are registered with the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation (MBF) and have ‘Working Towards Approved Provider Status’.  We aim to provide mentoring support to 30 young people within each region per year, 180 in total.

6. Web based personal handbook for 14–25 year olds who have an experience of living with mental illness.  A tool for users / carers / siblings / friends

We will develop a web based personal handbook for young people aged 14-25 who have an experience of living with mental illness.  A dedicated website will be designed as a result that will offer advice, information and support to our target group. Bulletin boards and chat space will encourage peer to peer contact. A personal handbook will be designed as a guide to good mental health as well as techniques for managing the effects of mental illness, developing support structures and signposting help. The handbook will be available free of charge as a download from the website and we will encourage widespread, national take up through the school based health promotion campaigns and our links with agencies working with young people, particularly early intervention networks and services.

7. Leadership training events