We offer a range of free recovery-focused educational courses aimed at people who are living with mental health challenges. Our courses are designed and delivered by people with personal and professional experience, working together in equal partnership.

The courses are designed to be welcoming, informal, friendly and enjoyable. Our courses are delivered by a variety of professionals working from different agencies, working alongside our recovery college staff.

The courses are for those who wish to learn with others to identify and develop strengths, build on confidence and explore opportunities for improving their life. We also aim to build social engagement and community amongst peers, with encouragement and support to move forward at a pace suitable for each person.

Mental illness can affect any of us. In fact, around one in four people will experience mental illness at some point in their lives.

The recovery college takes an educational, rather than a therapeutic approach to equip people through a variety of recovery-focused courses with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills to best manage and get on with their lives.

These skills are relevant to all of us whether we’re service users, carers, or health professionals, so the recovery college welcomes anyone using Waltham Forest community mental health services. 

The courses are run from a number of venues in the borough, and at different times. So we hope to have courses, and at times, that best suit you.

Our prospectus and the course options are designed to enable you to move on in a supportive, structured and progressive way.  Some students choose to stay with us for one course; others plan to develop their learning by attending other courses. You can access these at the right hand side of this page.

We have a range of learning opportunities available that we hope will support you during your time at the college and skills that you can take with you. Our peer trainers will be happy to guide you through your course options, the enrolment process, either face to face or over the telephone. Our contact details can be found below.

Find the courses/workshops that are running this term in the most current Prospectus and complete the online enrolment form by selecting any that you would like to join. For support with enrolment, you can also contact us via the details on the right-hand side of the page.

This code of conduct aims to ensure that everyone who attends the Recovery College has a positive, enriching experience and will want to return.

We ask that everyone attending the Recovery College:

• Behaves in a responsible manner that fosters mutual respect and understanding

• Respects the rights, life choices, beliefs and opinions of others

• Does not behave in any way that may be considered threatening or disruptive or likely to lead to emotional harm to any students or staff

• Does not attend the college under the influence of alcohol, non-prescribed medication/street drugs

• Does 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 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 to find a way forward.