1. health and fitness

Central and North West London
How to find us
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CNWL Recovery College, 2nd Floor, Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL Tel: 020 3214 5686
The college hub is located within a
short walking distance of the following
underground stations:
The following bus routes are located near
the CNWL Recovery College:
• Warren Street (Victoria and Northern Lines)
• E uston Square, Great Portland Street (Circle,
Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines)
• Euston mainline and underground station
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.
10, 18, 24, 27, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205, 390.
Map links to all CNWL Recovery College venues are
available on our website.
www.cnwl.nhs.uk/recoverycollege
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust,
Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL.
Tel: 020 3214 5700 www.cnwl.nhs.uk
©
Central and North West
London NHS Foundation Trust
December 2012
Visit our website
ww.cnwl.nhs.uk
Prospectus
Jan - March 2013
Spring Term
CNWL recoverycollege
Contents
5
Welcome
About the CNWL Recovery College 6
CNWL recoverycollege
Student access to CNWL
Recovery College Understanding mental health
difficulties and treatment
7
8-11
• Understanding a diagnosis of depression
• Understanding a diagnosis of psychosis
• Understanding a diagnosis
of personality disorder
• Understanding your medication
• Understanding self-harm
Rebuilding your life 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
2
12-22
• 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
• 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 – issues
around discussing personal information
• 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
• 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
• How to organise and chair meetings
Getting involved • Recovery and user expertise
• Train the trainers
Access to venues and facilities
Frequently asked questions
23-25
26
27
28-29
Student Charter
30
Code of Conduct
31
Registration form
How to find us
33-34
36
3
“
Welcome
to the CNWL Recovery College…
The training has helped me to get
in tune with my feelings and stop
dwelling on the past and worrying
about the future.
...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.
“
I am always learning and
never cease to be inspired by
the expertise that students
bring to the course.
4
”
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.
Free courses are available to:
CNWL service users
Supporters
family, friends
and carers
Members of staff
5
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.
Student eligibility criteria
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.
6
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 email.
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:
Bespoke courses for partner
and external organisations
The CNWL Recovery College is keen to consider
providing bespoke recovery focused learning and
development opportunities for staff within partner
and external organisations. A charge would be
made for these workshops/courses.
Any queries should be referred to
Syena Skinner – CNWL Recovery College
Manager: [email protected]
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.
• 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
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”
7
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
Half-day workshop
Half-day workshop
Half-day workshop
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.
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.
Personality disorders are common, long-lasting
mental health conditions that affect how people
view and manage their emotions and relate to
other people.
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.
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.
I have learnt about communicating
in a more positive and less
labelling way. As a carer I feel this
is really important.
Student
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.
Practical advice given to
apply in daily living.
Student
8
9
Understanding mental health difficulties and treatment
Spotlight:
Understanding your medication
Understanding self-harm
Half-day workshop
Half-day workshop
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.
Life can, at times, be hard to cope with, especially
if you have experienced traumatic events.
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.
“
10
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.
Understanding Self-harm
Self-harm is surrounded by stigma and
misunderstanding; it can take many
different forms and as an individual act
is hard to define.
Self-harm can affect people of all ages and there is
no such thing as a typical self-harmer. It is often
a way of coping with painful and difficult feelings
and distress, but each person’s relationship with
self-harm will be different. It is worth remembering
that most people behave self-destructively at
times, even if they don’t realise it, smoking, eating
and drinking too much can all help people to
numb or distract themselves from their thoughts
and feelings.
This introductory workshop is for those that selfharm, mental health practitioners and anyone
else who would like to understand more. The
workshop is also for people who support or care
about someone that self-harms. Finding that a
person you care about is harming themselves can
bring about a huge range of thoughts and feelings
including, helplessness, fear, distress, worry,
and anger.
The workshop aims to explore the facts and
realities, current models of treatment and
strategies for working with self-harm.
Given m
e tips on
how to view
my recov
ery proc
ess.
”
A new model, soon to be published, is
based on research carried out into individual
experiences of self-harm. When asked ‘What
does self-harm mean to you?‘, one participant in
the research stated:
“It makes me feel better …I don’t want to die …
I just want to feel better.”
The model focuses on exploration and
identification of the function of self-harm, as
well as basing strategies and techniques on the
function that self-harm has for the individual. It
allows for an exploration of alternatives to selfharm. It is important not to assume what is going
on for the person until you have heard them
describe things in their own words.
Recovery is possible, there are choices and it
is possible to move forward. Understanding
the function of self-harm is the first step to
recovery. The workshop will also explore useful
organisations, resources, support options and
training. You are not alone.
11
Rebuilding your life
Rebuilding your life
Introduction to recovery
Recovery and social inclusion
One-day workshop
Four-week course
One-day workshop each week
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.
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.
It has helped me to refocus, think
and become aware of the
importance of recovery.
Discussions and role plays enabled
me to gain a very useful insight
into mine and my client’s recovery
in different issues relating to
mental health.
Student
Student
CNWL Recovery College
taster sessions for supporters
(family, friends and carers)
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
You and your wellbeing – a
dozen ways to make it better
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!
• 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
Please ensure that you book a place in
advance if you wish to attend.
12
135
Rebuilding your life
Spotlight:
Go smoke-free
NEW
the stress-less way
Telling your story
Ten-week course
Half-day workshop each week
Eight-week course
Half-day workshop 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.
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).
Why tell our stories?
Storytelling is a very old tradition.
Human beings are story-telling
creatures: we know ourselves and our
possibilities through the stories we tell of
our lives. We connect with other people by
sharing our stories and we can be inspired by
seeing what others who have been in a similar
position have achieved.
What happens on the course?
Our story is as long as our life and we will
have many different versions over the years.
Experiencing mental health difficulties can be a
huge and complex challenge from which we can
only begin to recover when we start to make sense
of what has happened. During the course we use
journaling as an everyday way of paying attention
to our thoughts, feelings and memories. Through
weekly exercises we gradually and gently explore
experiences, memories and feelings, building
towards a story that can be shared if you wish.
We also look at other people’s published recovery
stories for inspiration.
This course offers the chance to share experiences
with others who may have faced similar
challenges. It is a chance to acknowledge what
has happened, for your resilience to be witnessed,
to celebrate your survival, to have a space to
dream about the future.
14
Do I need to be good at writing
or drawing?
We use a variety of different ways of expressing
ourselves. The aim is self-expression, discovery
and rediscovery rather than judging our writing or
drawing skills.
Is this course the same as
group therapy?
No. The course aims to offer a supportive group
experience but we are not offering any particular
interpretation or advice, just the interest and
respect of fellow human beings. You choose what
to share and how you wish to portray your story.
15
Spotlight: Taking back control
Rebuilding your life
– health and wellbeing plans
This six-week course, (two hours per week), gives you the
opportunity to develop your own health and wellbeing plan.
The ‘health and wellbeing plan’ is an aid for
learning about yourself and emphasises that you
are the expert regarding your own mental health
and wellbeing. It is based on the premise that there
are no limits to recovery. Recovery is about getting
your life back, rebuilding a meaningful satisfying
and contributing life that is unique to you. Taking
Back Control; the plan provides a framework,
which can be used to help you gain more control
over your life and the way that you feel. It enables
you to draw upon past experiences to know what
helps you and what doesn’t. It recognises your own
resources, strengths and assets.
Weeks three and four: Triggers and early
warning signs; none of us feel 100% all of the time.
Triggers are things that happen to us, that are
likely to set off a chain reaction of uncomfortable
or unhelpful behaviours and feelings, for example
the anniversary of a loss. Early warning signs are
subtle signs of changes in our thoughts, feelings
or behaviour – which indicate that we may need
to take action to avoid worsening of your condition
or situation. In weeks three and four the aim is to
be able to start to recognise and explore what your
own triggers and early warning signs are and what
action that you can take to minimise their impact
The ‘health and wellbeing plan’ is developed by
you and you choose who assists and supports
you whether they are family, friends or healthcare
professionals as you work on your own plan. It is
not the same as a care plan, which is the treatment
and support you will receive from services. The
‘health and wellbeing plan’ is how you will control
your own life and who you will need to support
you in this. The plan has a broad applicability
with a focus on staying well and it can be used by,
anyone, anytime and for any of life’s challenges.
Week five: There may be times when things get
worse despite your best efforts; so many people
have found it helpful to plan in advance for the
possibility of a crisis. The ‘health and wellbeing
plan’ enables you to think about whom you would
like support from and what you might need people
to do. Week five provides the opportunity to think
about what support is beneficial and what is
less helpful.
The six-week course will follow the
structure below:
Week one: There will be an introduction to
the ‘health and wellbeing plan’, including its
development and current research on its use.
We will also explore wellbeing ‘tools’ for keeping
yourself well; for example, getting enough sleep.
Week two: What makes you, you? This week
we will think about what you are like when you
are well. What gives your life meaning and value?
What is important to you?
16
Week six: In order to live a meaningful and
satisfying life it is important that we pursue our
aspirations, dreams and ambitions. Recovery is
about getting your life back, pursuing your dreams
and ambitions and doing the things you value. This
week will give you the opportunity to think about
your own dreams and aspirations and what are the
first steps you can take in achieving them.
aking back control –
T
health and wellbeing plans
Six-week course
Half-day workshop 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.
Journey to self
Coming
discovery: Making
Soon
my life better
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: 07867 982658
e-mail: [email protected]
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
Health and wellbeing
plan booklet
17
Rebuilding your life
Spotlight:
Health
and wellbeing
NEW
for carers
Telling
your
NEW
caring story
Six-week course
Two-hour workshop each week
Six-week course
Two-and-a-half-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.
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).
Carers’ courses
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.
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.
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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.
“
Very inspiring and
thought provoking.
”
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Rebuilding your life
Rebuilding your life
Introduction to
managing stress
Introduction to
mindfulness
iving with change – the only
L
constant in life is change…
Half-day workshop
Six-week course
Half-day workshop each week
One-day workshop
“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
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.
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.
o tell or not to tell: Issues
T
around discussing personal
information including mental
health problems, addictions
and dealing with stigma
Half-day workshop
Once diagnosed with a mental health problem
it can be difficult to decide who to tell, what to tell
them, how, when and what to say. Often the fear
of what other people may think or react can put
people off pursuing their goals. Stigma can affect
relationships at work, with 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.
20
“
ul, f
t
c
a
t
very
s
l
i
e
r
e
f
e
n
i
e
a
r
The t stands how w nd.
er
spo
he und s how to re
ow
and kn
”
21
Developing
knowledge and skills
Rebuilding your life
A good night’s sleep
Half-day workshop
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.
It’s been especially valuable to me
and my partner for many reasons but
mainly because of interacting with
people who have experiences that
I can relate to!
Student
anaging holidays and
M
anniversaries
Half-day workshop
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.
22
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
NEW Making it work
at work
Five-week course
One-day workshop each week
Five-week course
Half-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.
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.
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
can access.
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.
23
Developing knowledge and skills
Developing knowledge and skills
The ‘ward round’ – how can we
all get the best out of it?
An introduction
to problem solving
Personalisation in mental health
– getting a life not a service
Two-hour introductory workshop
Half-day workshop
Half-day workshop
The ward round is an important meeting between
the service user and the team working with them.
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 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.
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.
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
Half-day workshop 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 workshop is designed to give you all the
information you need to help make your home a
happy and safe one.
Student
Six-week course
Half-day workshop each week
“You don’t get into money problems
because of money; you don’t sort out
money problems with money”
How to organise
and chair meetings
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.
Half-day workshop
This course is equivalent to Entry Level and
Level 1 for Effective Money Management of the
Open College Network (OCN).
This course is delivered in conjunction with
Credit Action.
24
I identified a gap in my personal
knowledge which this course has
started to help fill.
NEW It’s your move –
managing a social
housing tenancy
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.
This is invaluable for people wanting to get involved
in organising service user involvement, or for staff
wanting to improve their management skills.
25
Getting Involved
Access to venues and facilities
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.
Recovery
and
NEW
user expertise
Train the trainers
One-day workshop
Two-day training 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.
Disabled access
Most of the venues we use for courses/workshops
are accessible, and have disabled toilet facilities.
(with a two-week break between days)
Religion
Would you like to become a trainer at the
CNWL Recovery College?
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.
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.
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.
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.
26
Training room
27
Frequently asked questions…
How do I find a course?
How much do courses cost?
All courses are advertised in the prospectus
and can be downloaded from our website
www.cnwl.nhs.uk/recoverycollege
Current courses are provided free of charge to
eligible students.
Alternatively you can give us a call on
020 3214 5686 or e-mail us on
[email protected]
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 email.
How do I check if there are still
places on my chosen course?
You can contact the admissions office at the
CNWL Recovery College.
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.
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 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.
I start to feel improved kindness with myself and to be
calm and to think about the future…It’s really improved me,
by changing my view about myself. The course has been life
saving, it’s an excellent course.
• Getting involved.
Is it possible to visit and
look around?
Can carers attend with the
person that they are supporting?
Yes, we run an open day and an open evening
once a month where we are available to answer
queries and help with registration.
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.
28
Are the courses available
in other languages?
”
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.
29
Student Charter
Code of Conduct
Before you become a student at the CNWL Recovery College…
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.
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.
We have tried to keep these
expectations as brief as possible.
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.
rovide a safe and healthy study environment.
•p
• 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.
30
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.
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.
“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
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.
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Central and North West London
“
NHS Foundation Trust
CNWL Recovery College
Registration form
People’s experiences of distress
are so wide and varied. We are
all teaching and learning from
each other.
”
Cnwl staff please register through the online training
booking system.
Course registration form for up to three bookings
Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS
Course/
workshop 1
DATE:
Course/
workshop 2
DATE:
Course/
workshop 3
DATE:
Name*
Forenames:
Surname:
Date of birth*
DD/MM/YYYY
Address*
Post code*
Email*
Please print clearly
Telephone*
Mobile
Do you have any disability related requirements?
*Please ensure you have completed these sections.
32
I feel m
uch mor
e confid
ent.
”
Supporter
User of service
&
“
Please circle what contact you have with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust:
Please specify:
Family
Friend
Carer
33
33
Central and North West London
NHS Foundation Trust
Registration form
Course registration form. Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS
Do you have any medical information we should know about?
Medical
Emergency
contact details
(please state)
Who should we contact in the event of an emergency?
Full Name:
Contact telephone number:
Do you have any specific learning needs we should know about?
Learning
(please state)
Team/service you access
Name:
Practice address:
GP DETAILS
Postcode:
Contact telephone number:
Name:
Team:
Care Co-ordinator/
Lead Professional
Email:
Please return this form to
[email protected] or by post to:
Admissions / registration,
CNWL Recovery College, Stephenson House,
75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL
34
Confirmation of your place will be made
by post or email. If you have any questions
please get in touch.
We will keep your personal registration details
secure and anything you share with us will be
treated as confidential.
Thank you for your interest
&
Contact telephone number: