Courses: Lived experience and professional insights
What makes our courses different?
Our courses are designed and delivered in partnership between people who have lived experience of mental health difficulties and those with professional experience, for example an occupational therapist, nutritionist, employment coordinator or psychiatrist. It’s known as co-production and we feel it helps to offer the best insight and experience possible. Our courses are open to adults experiencing mental health difficulties and the family and professionals who support them.
For individuals experiencing mental health difficulties
Personal growth and change is a natural part of life. But sometimes we don’t know what we need to do in our lives to move forward, especially around mental health difficulties and recovery. Through sharing lived experience and education, we give people the strength and skills to manage their own recovery, and achieve their goals.
For carers, families and friends
Want to understand more? We offer education and insight if you’re supporting a family member or friend with mental health difficulties. You’ll get greater understanding of mental health conditions and experiences and learn how you can look after yourself while supporting your loved one.
For professionals who support people with mental health difficulties
Are you a professional who supports others to manage their mental health? Jersey Recovery College courses teach evidence-based practical skills, tools and knowledge designed and delivered using co-production between people with lived experience and subject matter professionals. Our courses are a valuable source of CPD. In UK recovery colleges, as many as one-third of all students are professionals supporting those with mental health difficulties.
Courses
To register for a course, click on 'register interest' under the course and follow the steps until registration is completed. Our current prospectus is here.
We also have an easy-read/ accessible prospectus with plain English and less images, here.
Creativity for Wellbeing
Being creative is proven to have beneficial effects on your wellbeing but many people feel inhibited by their own drawing abilities and are reluctant to explore something that they think they won’t be good at.
This course aims to break down those barriers by teaching you fun and easy techniques that use colour, shape and texture to create artwork that enables you to express yourself, learn how to turn creative disasters into triumphs and above all, to enjoy the process without self-judgement or the need for a particular outcome. Absolutely no drawing skills are necessary for this course.
18:00 - 20:00
via our booking systemMindfulness: an introductory session (for carers)
Mindfulness has been shown to have a significant impact on wellbeing, providing individuals with tools to manage during times of duress. This short introductory course is designed to encourage those who care for others to consider the impact on their own mental health, to take some time to prioritise their own wellbeing, and to learn techniques to enable them to build mindfulness into their daily life.
This session is one of four being run for carers. Individuals are encouraged to attend as many or few as they wish ideally building these around attendance to the mindfulness session which is the bedrock for other classes.
18:00 - 20:00
Understanding and Managing Anxiety (2.5hrs)
Everyone has feelings of anxiety at times, but when anxiety takes over it can be unhelpful, and even debilitating. This course will develop an understanding of what anxiety is, how it impacts your life, and what you can do about it. We will explore this topic through group discussion, individual activities, and by applying practical techniques.
17:30 - 20:00
Self-compassion: an introductory session (for carers)
We often show compassion for others - but what about ourselves? Self-compassion can be challenging when placed in a role of responsibility or caring for others. This short introductory course is designed to encourage those who care for others to consider the impact on their own mental health, to take some time to prioritise their own wellbeing, and to learn techniques to enable them to build self-compassion into their daily life.
This session is one of four being run for carers. Individuals are encouraged to attend as many or few as they wish ideally building these around attendance to the mindfulness session which is the bedrock for other classes.
18:00 - 20:00
Somatic Movement: an introductory session
JRC Summer School - short course
Want to know more about somatic movement? Come along to this one-off session to learn more.
Somatic Movements 'rewire the brain' to restore painless, efficient, functional movement to the body. They are a means to release chronic tension in muscles caused by habitual movement and compensatory patterns.
Somatic movements are simple and are therefore accessible to everyone and may help those who are experiencing chronic pain, impacting both mind and body.
Disclaimer:
The information and statements made are intended for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for diagnosis and/or treatment of any health condition or disease. Nor is it intended to replace services of treatment of any physicians or healthcare professionals.
10:00 - 12:00
Understanding and Managing Fear and Stress - Lite
Stress affects most people at some point in their lives. This course covers the major factors why we believe we are undergoing stress, the effects on our body, mind and daily lives and ways to manage and interrupt the stress response.
This is a 'lite' version of our usual three hour course.
10:00 - 12:00
Resilience and Wellbeing - Lite
This course is designed to enable students to effectively apply strategies to improve their resilience and wellbeing. Through individual and group activities we will explore the two terms, and shine a light on ways of improving both. This is a 'lite' version of our usual three-hour course.
10:00 - 12:00
Yoga: an introductory session (for carers)
Practicing yoga has been shown to be beneficial to both mind and body. This short introductory course is designed to encourage those who care for others to consider the impact on their own mental health, to take some time to prioritise their own wellbeing, and to learn techniques to enable them to build yoga into their daily life.
This session is one of four being run for carers. Individuals are encouraged to attend as many or few as they wish ideally building these around attendance to the mindfulness session which is the bedrock for other classes.
18:00 - 20:00
What Makes a Good Life? (3hrs)
Positive psychology is the science of what makes life worth living. It focuses on how to increase positivity, rather than just decreasing negativity, as well as focusing on what’s strong, rather than what’s wrong.
In this course, students will have opportunities to develop their knowledge of positive psychology and how to apply concepts to building a good life. We will develop our understanding of our personal strengths, the benefits of gratitude, the key features of a good life, helping others and more. We will explore these topics together through a variety of activities and discussions over two sessions.
Some of the benefits of practicing positive psychology are experiencing more positive emotion, better relationships, more empathy, better sleep and greater self-esteem. Practicing positive psychology also makes you less likely to suffer from depression, addiction and burnout, and be better at dealing with difficult situations.
09:30 - 12:30
Walking Meditation (1.5 hrs)
Walking meditation is the ancient practice of meditation in motion. Walking can still the mind and help practitioners to focus. This course will introduce the concepts and techniques to successfully meditate while moving, allowing students to develop a new tool for their own wellbeing that they can introduce into everyday life.
The walking will be gentle and indoors. This will be a supportive and accessible class, and no prior experience is necessary.
09:30 - 11:00
Wood Whittling For Wellbeing
The process of wood whittling can help us to relax and clear the mind. Trying something new can give a sense of achievement. In this session we will each hand make a little gift to take home with you, no prior experience necessary – join us!
18:00 - 20:00
Self-care: an introductory session (for carers)
Self-care can feel low priority when caring for others but 'you can't pour from an empty cup.' This short introductory course is designed to encourage those who care for others to consider the impact on their own mental health, to take some time to prioritise their own wellbeing, and to learn techniques to enable them to develop a self-care routine.
This session is one of four being run for carers. Individuals are encouraged to attend as many or few as they wish ideally building these around attendance to the mindfulness session which is the bedrock for other classes.
18:00 - 20:00
