I came to recovery in mind as a student about 3 years ago in a frustrated and despairing state. I had previously engaged fully with statutory services, done everything that was recommended for me, and completed every available solution.
I still wasn’t any “better”. I was exhausted. I was sick of self reporting, sick of regurgitating my history for yet another stranger, sick of being talked about like I wasn’t in the room, and my input invalidated.
So I started looking for my own alternatives. The term ‘recovery’ came up frequently in my internet searches, then ‘recovery college’. Eventually I started looking for local services offering something similar, nothing in Reading, so I widened the area and found Recovery in Mind. In Newbury. An hour and a half bus ride away. They had spaces in their first 5 Ways to Wellbeing course, so I signed up. I fully expected to have to go through my personal and therapeutic history, but no, just some contact details and a request for indication of any comfort needs.
One of the presenters led us on a mindful walk and they didn’t quite understand the peer element of recovery. So I cheekily told Angela that I thought I could do better, she said ok, and I was scheduled on the next course as a peer trainer. And that was that really.
So 3 years on I am still an active student and peer trainer. Recovery in Mind is a fantastic workplace, the team is focused on good practice and continued development, both of the service and ourselves.