Autumn/Winter Term

October December 2013

South London and Maudsley

NHS Foundation Trust

Contents
The journey continues .................................................................................... 3 About the college ........................................................................................... 4 Understanding mental health difficulties and treatment ........................ 5 Rebuilding your life ........................................................................................ 6 Developing knowledge and skills ............................................................... 10 Getting involved ............................................................................................ 12 Timetable ........................................................................................................ 13 Locations ......................................................................................................... 15 How to register for a course ....................................................................... 18

The journey continues

We have a lot of work still to do before

It was brilliant a comfortable environment and very relaxed as a group. Amazing.

the college is launched next year we are, for example, currently recruiting staff and trainers but the next milestone in our development is this expanded programme of courses, running from mid-October through

n July of this year, as part of our continuing development of the SLaM Recovery

to mid-December.

College, we ran what turned out to be a highly successful pilot scheme of eleven courses at the Ortus Learning Centre. The feedback we got, from those who attended as students (service users, carers and staff) as well as those who developed and delivered the courses, was fantastic. We knew that the college had the potential to educate, to generate change and to inspire, but it was enormously encouraging to have this confirmed by everyone involved.

Next year our curriculum will cover a much more comprehensive range of topics, delivered at a wider variety of venues across all the boroughs served by SLaM, and the package of workshops on offer here represents a significant step towards that. We hope you find something here to both interest and inspire you.

About the college

Great to have service user input and experience. We have so much to learn from each other.

ecovery is about a personal journey towards a meaningful and satisfying life,

Our college offers a learning approach that complements the existing services provided by the Trust. All of our courses are co-written and co-run by trainers who have experienced mental health difficulties working alongside trainers from the mental health professions. No one is referred by anyone to the college:

if youre interested in any of the courses on offer you simply register as a student.

towards living as well as possible, whatever symptoms or difficulties are present. The workshops and courses we run aim to provide the tools to make this happen.

Our courses are open to SLaM service users, their supporters (carers, family and friends), and SLaM staff.

Understanding mental health difficulties and treatment

Understanding a diagnosis of bipolar disorder Half-day workshop Understanding a diagnosis of personality disorder Half-day workshop Understanding a diagnosis of psychosis Half-day workshop

Bipolar is a mood disorder characterised by extreme changes in mood. Although we all have mood swings, in bipolar disorder these can become unmanageable and overwhelming - individuals can experience severe and/or rapid mood swings that can last several weeks or months, far beyond the normal ups and downs.

Personality disorder is a phrase used to describe a group of common, long-lasting conditions that affect how people view and manage their emotions and how they relate to other people.

The experience of psychosis, for example hearing voices or experiencing altered perceptions, is surprisingly common.

Being diagnosed with psychosis can be a frightening and life changing event. There are

This course explores what is meant by personality disorder in general and how it can affect other aspects of a persons mental

a lot of misconceptions and stigma regarding psychosis which can make coming to terms with it even harder.

The aim of this course is to explore the facts and realities of bipolar disorder, how it is diagnosed and treated, how you can manage it, and how you can support someone that you care about.

and physical health. This workshop looks at a variety of treatment We will also discuss specific treatments and how people can help themselves to regain a measure of control in their lives. and self-help options, personal experiences of psychosis and the ways people have managed their experiences so that they can get on with living their lives.

Rebuilding your life

Introduction to recovery One-day workshop Many people find being diagnosed with mental health difficulties devastating. Too often people feel that their life is over and that they will never be able to fulfil their dreams and ambitions or lead a satisfying and valued life. This course aims to promote self-management techniques via recovery and support But it does not have to be this way. Whatever age a person is, whether they have only recently been diagnosed, or whether they have had a diagnosis for some time, recovery is possible, no matter how serious the persons difficulties. It is possible for people to rebuild a meaningful, valued and satisfying life. planning. Recovery and support planning is an instrument that helps people on a day to day basis, supports self-recognition of early warning signs, explores the use of strategies that reduce the chance of relapse, helps people make plans for what to do if a crisis occurs and helps formulate goals that focus on moving forward. This introductory workshop explores the impact of mental health difficulties on The aim of this interactive session is to provide an introduction to the principles and practice of mindfulness. The session includes three short, seated meditations. Introduction to recovery and support planning One day workshop The mindful way to wellbeing Two-hour workshop peoples lives, what helps people to grow within and beyond what has happened, and how they can rebuild their lives. The course will introduce recovery and support plans and enable you to discover how to use the different components as a part of a wellness toolkit.

Brilliant trainers! Jargon-free and pitched at the right level.

Introduction to mindfulness Five-week course Two-hour workshop each week

themes of noticing, being present, acceptance and self-compassion are key components of the course and these are woven into the

skills and how we can use these skills to support one another. Staying well and making plans: managing the ups and downs Three-week course Half-day workshop each week

Life is challenging and messy, and how we react to it can affect our wellbeing. We can find ourselves getting caught up in critical and worrying thinking, being lost in our emotional reactions to events or find that life seems to be passing us by. Practicing mindfulness enables us to be in the present moment more of the time and the current course aims to provide a supportive environment in which students can begin to develop their own mindfulness practice and learn about the benefits and challenges of being mindful.

weekly classes. Each session includes at least two guided sitting meditations and students are encouraged to use guided meditations to practice at home between classes in order to make the most of this course. Mental health awareness for all One-day workshop

For many people it can feel as if their mental health difficulties are completely beyond their control. Treatment and support from mental health professionals can be helpful but every person with mental health

This course aims to increase understanding of what influences our mental health, including the causes of, and the impact of stigma on, mental distress.

problems can become an expert in their own self-management.

Along with mental health difficulties, things like divorce, death of a loved one, losing

Students will learn that mindfulness is about purposeful, non-judgemental, moment-tomoment awareness of our experience. The The session will also explore the importance of verbal and non-verbal communication

your job and serious physical illness can affect anyone. Whatever challenges you

face, recovery involves finding your personal resourcefulness to take back control over your life and what happens to you.

Telling your story Six-week course Half-day workshop each week

encouraged to find their voice and have it heard. Students will have the opportunity to share their stories at the end of the course.

Mental health challenges may affect a This three-week course aims to support people to develop and use personal recovery plans that focus on what keeps you well, how to manage the ups and downs, how to cope in a crisis and what gets you back on an even keel. This course is for services users, supporters (family, carers and friends) and staff who wish to learn about how to plan for a life beyond services. Students will use a range of creative approaches, methods, and media to help explore aspects of life that are important to them, express themselves on their own terms, and celebrate their unique experiences persons confidence and even their sense of identity. This course helps students start to take back ownership of experiences and recover a sense of self alongside, or even despite, the difficulties faced. This introductory workshop aims to identify common myths about substance use and addiction - what is true and what is not. We will explore why people use substances and how this can sometimes lead to ongoing and/or problematic use. We will also look at how people can make changes in their substance use and, more importantly, keep these changes going. Overcoming drug and alcohol use Half-day workshop

I learnt to relax and talk amongst people a lot better.

and qualities.

No previous formal experience of writing or creativity is required, as students will be

Spirituality and wellbeing Half-day workshop

peoples everyday lives, and how this can contribute to recovery and healing. How to get a good nights sleep Half-day workshop

Using a variety of methods, this course will focus on a gentle exploration of participants spiritual values, world views and guiding philosophies. It will look at how these are important for, and connected to, a sense of wellbeing.

Met some lovely people and felt comfortable to share my own lived experience.

Do you have difficulty getting to sleep at night? Do you wake up early in the morning? Do you spend most of the night tossing and turning?

Participants will be encouraged to reflect on those elements that give meaning to their lives, and the ways that can be found to express what is of ultimate importance to them. This workshop looks at how much sleep we actually need, the different types of sleep, the common causes of sleep problems and ways of overcoming sleeping difficulties.

The workshop will open up discussion on the relationship between spirituality and mental health as it is experienced in

This workshop aims to help you to understand the nature of sleep and provide ways of dealing with your sleep problems.

Developing knowledge and skills

Help! Ive been invited to a meeting One-day workshop Clinical meetings: who are they for? Half-day workshop This workshop explores the purpose of such meetings and offers suggestions and strategies to increase confidence to get the Whether youre new to attending meetings, or have some experience, heres a fun one day course starting from the basics - what a meeting is, what paperwork there might be, who does what, and how to prepare. There are many clinical meetings that happen whilst people are in hospital. The ward round, for example, is one of these meetings where service users, families, carers and the team meet to discuss clinical care. But what actually happens in those Following on from this, we will explore the challenges of making meetings productive and how you can make the most of your contribution. The session aims to be both dynamic and thought-provoking. Meetings like these can seem intimidating, and staff and service users alike often find them baffling, frightening and difficult to have a voice in. We will look at when you will need to migrate to PIP if you are already on DLA, take you through the claim process in detail, and explain how to tell your story. We will also look at the decision-making meetings? How are decisions made? And what do people feel about them? PIP is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This session explores both the similarities and the differences between the two benefit schemes and how it might affect you. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) explained Half-day workshop best out of them

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and dispute process and signpost you to all the help and guidance you will need. Introduction to coaching One-day workshop

whether you are the coach or being coached. For mental health professionals, people who use services, carers and families we know the quality of the relationship and the conversations we have are very important. Coaching tools and techniques can support

informed choices.

The course will explore how we make informed decisions, the difficulties and opportunities in finding health information, and the ways of finding what we need to know.

This one day workshop will introduce people to coaching techniques for recovery. Coaching opens up spaces for personal reflection, helps people become aware of their strengths and resourcefulness and supports them to achieve their goals. Coaching is a series of conversations between a coach and another person aimed at bringing out the best in the person being coached.

peoples recovery by helping them tackle the challenges and everyday stresses of life. Making choices together Half-day workshop This is an interactive session and will seek to draw on the experience and expertise of the students attending. It will use some traditional teaching but will mostly consist of group learning exercises. The aim of this workshop is to help participants gain access to health information for themselves and learn how to help others get the information they need.

This workshop will introduce the coaching approach for all, describing what coaching is

Why is this important? Because we all need the right information to allow us to make

Keep these courses going!

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Getting involved
Train the trainers Three-day workshop role within the community and by opening up possibilities for the future.

This workshop aims to teach individuals how to effectively deliver courses as a co-facilitator at the SLaM Recovery College.

Well hear volunteers stories and well explore the different opportunities available. The workshop will also explore the benefits to be gained, how and why people

The course incorporates learning theories together with expertise on presenting skills. There is an expectation that students will deliver their own micro-teaching session on day three of the workshop. Volunteering and recovery Half-day workshop

volunteer, the barriers that can exist and your rights as a volunteer.

This workshop looks at how volunteering can be an important part of recovery by boosting confidence, by offering a valued

I found the facilitators very approachable and knowledgeable.

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Timetable
At the Ortus Learning Centre
The mindful way to wellbeing Making choices together Volunteering and recovery Introduction to recovery How to overcome drug and alcohol use Help! Ive been invited to a meeting Train the trainers
10am-12noon Tuesday 22nd October 10am-1pm Wednesday 23rd October 2pm-5pm Wednesday 23rd October 10am-4pm Friday 25th October 1pm-4pm Tuesday 29th October 10.30am-3.45pm Thursday 31st October Day 1 10am-4.30pm Monday 4th November Day 2 10am-4.30pm Monday 18th November Day 3 10am-4.30pm Monday 2nd December 10am-4pm Friday 8th November 10am-4pm Monday 11th November Session 1 10am-12.30pm Tuesday 12th November Session 2 10am-12.30pm Tuesday 19th November Session 3 10am-12.30pm Tuesday 26th November Session 4 10am-12.30pm Tuesday 3rd December Session 5 10am-12.30pm Tuesday 10th December 1.30pm-4.30pm Tuesday 12th November 1.30pm-4.30pm Tuesday 19th November Session 1 1.30pm-4.30pm Friday 22nd November Session 2 1.30pm-4.30pm Friday 29th November Session 3 1.30pm-4.30pm Friday 6th December 10am-4pm Thursday 28th November 1.30pm-4.30pm Tuesday 3rd December 10am-1pm Thursday 5th December 1.30pm-4.30pm Thursday 5th December 1pm-4pm Friday 6th December 1.30pm-4.30pm Tuesday 10th December

Introduction to recovery and support planning Mental health awareness for all Introduction to mindfulness

Spirituality and wellbeing How to get a good nights sleep Staying well and making plans: managing the ups and downs Introduction to coaching Understanding a diagnosis of psychosis Personal Independence Payment (PIP) explained Understanding a diagnosis of personality disorder Understanding a diagnosis of bipolar disorder Clinical meetings: who are they for?

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Timetable
At the Bethlem Hospital
Introduction to recovery (at the Bishopsgate building) Telling your story (at the OT department)
10am-4pm Friday 1st November Session 1 10am-12.30pm Tuesday 12th November Session 2 10am-12.30pm Tuesday 19th November Session 3 10am-12.30pm Tuesday 26th November Session 4 10am-12.30pm Tuesday 3rd December Session 5 10am-12.30pm Tuesday 10th December Session 6 10am-12.30pm Tuesday 17th December 1pm-4pm Tuesday 19th November 10am-1pm Thursday 21st November 10am-1pm Thursday 28th November

Spirituality and wellbeing (at the OT department) Volunteering and recovery (at the OT department) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Explained (at the OT department)

At the Mosaic Clubhouse Brixton

Staying well and making plans: managing the ups and downs
Session 1 10am-1pm Wednesday 20th November Session 2 10am-1pm Wednesday 27th November Session 3 10am-1pm Wednesday 4th December

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Locations
ORTUS Learning Centre 82 - 96 Grove Lane Denmark Hill SE5 8SN

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Nearest train/tube: Denmark Hill. Turn right out of the station, then right into Windsor Walk, and enter the Maudsley site through the black gates. Turn right and follow signage for ORTUS Learning Centre. By bus: Routes 40, 42, 68 (24 hrs) 176 (24 hrs), 185, 468, 484 all stop nearby.

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Denmark Hill Station

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Locations
Bethlem Royal Hospital Monks Orchard Road Beckenham BR3 3BX Parking: There is substantial parking at Bethlem Royal Hospital. However the site does get busy at peak times; if possible please use public transport. By rail: The nearest stations are Eden Park (Zone 5) and West Wickham (Zone 5). From Central London - Waterloo East, London Bridge, Cannon Street and Charing Cross take the Hayes train. From Eden Park station turn left along Links Way at the junction with Monks Orchard Road/South Eden Park Road and walk down Monks Orchard Road; the hospital is on the right hand side at the of the road. Or take bus 356 outside the station. By tram: An interchange with London trams is provided at Elmers End Station, one stop by train from Eden Park By bus: Routes 194, 356, 358, 119, 494 and 198

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Locations
Mosaic Clubhouse 65 Effra Road Brixton SW2 1BZ

By tube: the clubhouse is situated on Effra Road, close to Brixton Underground Station.

By bus: 2, 3, 37, 196, 432, 415, 690, 45, 118, 250, 133, 333, 59, 109, 159, 322, P5, 35, 355, P4.

Google Maps - 2013 Google

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How to register for a course

Registration is free of charge and is open to service users, supporters and members of staff. If you would like to register as a student, please email: tony.holmes@slam.nhs.uk

If you do not have access to a computer, please call us on: 020 3228 2175

Please note: no travel expenses can be reimbursed and no refreshments are provided.

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All that I was hoping for and more.

This is an amazing experience. I felt free-spirited and able to express myself.

The facilitators were excellent and very knowledgeable, approachable and organised.

We have so much to learn from each other.

Hope: sometimes it is difficult to live hopefully in the face of what can seem like overwhelming odds. Hope, believing that a meaningful life is possible, is essential to recovery.

Control: making decisions about what you want to do in life, over the path your journey takes, the challenges you face and the help you receive.

Opportunity: the chance to do the things that you want to do, the things that make life worthwhile, and to access the roles, relationships and activities which are important to you.