COURSES are available to help people find new ways of responding to difficult experiences.
Both online and in person activities are offered.
Wokingham Recovery College offers a range of mental health and wellbeing services.
These include a range of courses, workshops and support groups.
They are led by by both mental health professionals and those with lived experience of the issues.
Any adults over 18 years, living or working in the Wokingham Borough, are able to register with the service.
They do not need to have already accessed support for their wellbeing.
There is no requirement to have any diagnosis, nor to have had contact with other mental health support.
The college aims to help people become experts in their own self-care and to enable family, friends and staff to better understand mental health.
Nikita from the college says: “We try to keep our groups small, so that people feel safe and comfortable.
“Each session has a particular focus.
“The facilitator will teach something specific, there will be discussions, and also a chance to hear shared experiences.
“People learn about things that we can all do to help our mental health.
“Often they say that what they find really valuable is hearing from other people with the similar experiences.
“They begin to realise, ‘oh, it’s not just me’ “.
Courses are grouped into four main categories:
Wellbeing, which supports better understanding of mental health and skills for self-management.
It includes a support group for those who hear voices, and a support group for carers of those with mental health needs.
Life Skills, which promotes confidence in tackling everyday life issues.
Creativity, which provides opportunity to explore creative expression through various mediums.
And Next Steps, which supports people wishing to move away from services, and into employment.
Classes for October include:
Understanding emotions – Thursday, October 6 and 13, 1.30pm to 3pm
Managing anxiety – online – Tuesday, October 11, 18 and 25, 1.30pm to 3pm
What employment support is available to me? – Friday, October 21, 10am to 11.30am
Improving self esteem – online – Friday, October 28, 10am to 11.30am
Four seasons arts and crafts – every Monday, 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Courses take place in the Wokingham Recovery College, on the first floor of the Old Forge, 45-47 Peach Street.
The college is a safe space where students can be themselves, free from judgement.
For a full list of courses, to enrol, and to find out more visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk/health/
There is a form to fill out on the website, which can either be completed online, or printed out and sent by post to:
Wokingham Recovery College, 1st Floor, The Old Forge, 45-47 Peach Street, Wokingham RG40 1X
Anyone needing help to complete the registration form should call: 0118 989 0707
