28th October 2026
Dear Student,
We would like to thank you for your continued support.
Below is our course prospectus for October & November 2026, with a range of courses available. To reserve a space simply email or call the college.
For more information or if you would like to attend a course, please drop us an email at RecoveryCollege@belfasttrust.hscni.net or give us a call 02895 043059.
If you would like to chat to our Peer Educators about a course, please give us a call, or send us an email.
Please feel free to forward this information, to family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues. Everyone is welcome.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
With thanks
The Recovery College
| Course | Course Description | Date | Venue |
| Return to Work with Care | Are you considering returning to the world of work or volunteering? Have you taken an absence from work because of mental illness or considering a new job? Or are you in the role of manager and looking for more information? The course includes things to consider before looking for employment, benefits of work, choosing your career, gaining qualifications, volunteering, your rights and what supports are needed to maintain wellness in work.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Tuesday 20th October 2026
10am – 1pm
|
Belfast Recovery College
|
| Personal Independence Payment (PIP) | This course is co-produced in partnership with the East Belfast Independent Advice Centre (EBIAC). Do you think that you might have an entitlement to PIP? PIP IS A payment for those who live with disabilities. There have been many changes to benefits in recent years. This interactive up-to-date workshop will explain the criteria of entitlement to this benefit, the process for claiming and the appeals process if you are turned down. It will also outline the support that is available from advice services.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Tuesday 20th October 2026
2pm – 4pm |
Belfast Recovery College |
| Understanding Postnatal Depression | After having a baby, it is normal to feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of this little person totally dependent on you. This course will explore when it is more than the ‘baby blues’ and is potentially leading to a more serious mental health condition. It will help you develop an understanding of what postnatal depression is (PND). It will also explore the symptoms of PND and the various treatment options and support networks available. If you or someone you know may be struggling with PND this course may be useful for you.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Wednesday 21st October 2026
10am – 1pm
|
Online via MS Teams
|
| Living with Schizophrenia & Schizoaffective Disorder | Schizophrenia & Schizoaffective Disorder are diagnosis’ that can still be misunderstood & surrounded by stigma. Though this course we will explore the definitions and history of these conditions & the impacts it may have on an individual, including looking at how stigma and misconceptions of the conditions can impact someone. This course will also explore how to manage the conditions, what treatments are available & how to prevent a relapse.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Wednesday 21st October 2026
2pm – 4pm
|
Online via MS Teams
|
| The Art of Creativity and Wellbeing | The aim of this course is to welcome and encourage curiosity through exploring how art and creative energy can improve your mental and physical health and wellbeing. The course provides a learning opportunity to dip your toe in the water and try art and creativity as a wellbeing tool and see if it is for you. Mental health is not always about being happy all the time. It is about developing resilience, recovering from the peaks and valleys that are inevitable in life and gaining personal growth in learning and experiencing different ways to keep well. You do not have to be a professional artist or have any prior experience in art or crafts. You are invited to enrol in a class with a relaxed and informal atmosphere, have a bit of fun and the opportunity to make new connections with other students learning together.
This is not a CPD accredited course. |
Monday 2nd, 9th 1pm – 4pm & 16th November 12pm – 4pm 2026
|
Belfast Recovery College |
| Building Self Esteem | Many of us struggle with self-esteem issues and self-confidence daily. This can hold us back and keep us stuck in a very isolated place. We tend to take our self-worth from others and their opinion of us instead of believing in our own
value and worth as a unique individual. Please join us where we can all learn and develop skills and knowledge. You will be involved in conversations where you will feel comfortable in the course to understand how important it is to value yourself and not let judgement of others hold us back. |
Monday 2nd November
10am – 11.30am |
Online via MS Teams
|
| Creative Writing | Come and have a go at creative writing to lift your mood! This 3-week introductory course raises awareness about the benefits of creative writing to aid personal recovery and inspire hope by using writing as a wellness tool. In the course you will learn about the basics of what creative writing is. It aims to build your confidence by learning how to create a poem and understand imaginative ways to write. The course aims to encourage a love of writing and help people connect with each other by sharing and appreciating each other’s work. You are most welcome to come along, explore the joy of creative writing and take the first step on your creative writing journey.
This is not a CPD accredited course. |
Tuesday 3rd, 10th & 17th November 2026
1pm – 4pm |
Belfast Recovery College |
| Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Course | Getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of mental health recovery. This course will explore the benefits of getting a good night’s sleep, what can prevent us from getting a good night’s sleep and practical tips to help you get a good night’s sleep.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Wednesday 4th November 2026
2pm – 4pm |
Online via MS Teams |
| WRAP | WRAP is a self-management tool, designed to support people to understand and manage their mental health. WRAP can be used to help support people deal with challenging situations. This course will assist you to identify what wellness tools work best for you and help you establish your own personalised Wellness Recovery Action Plan. Through a series of tools and action plans students can make their life more the way they want it to be. This is ideal for anyone who wants to make positive changes in the way they feel and live.
This is not a CPD accredited course. |
Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th November 2026 9.30am – 4.30pm
|
Belfast Recovery College
|
| Wellbeing Café | As part of our November Wellbeing Café, Grow NI will be joining us at 10am for a 30-minute informal chat about the great work they do and how you can get involved with one of their community gardens in your local area. Please see the attached poster for further information.
If gardening isn’t your thing, don’t worry! The Wellbeing Café will still run as usual, so come along, grab a cuppa and enjoy a chat. This is not a CPD accredited course. |
Friday 13th November 2026
10am – 11:30am
|
Belfast Recovery College
|
| Living with Anxiety | This course will help you develop an understanding of what anxiety is, why we experience it, and how it may affect us. We also explore practical strategies to manage anxiety, including basic cognitive behavioural and relaxation techniques. If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety or panic, this course may be useful for you.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Tuesday 10th November 2026
10am – 1pm
|
Belfast Recovery College
|
| Living with Depression | Depression is increasingly common in today’s society, yet it is still greatly misunderstood and there remains a significant lack of awareness around it. Through this course we will discuss the definition, signs and symptoms of depression and the negative views that can sometimes be held about those living with the condition. We aim to dispel some of the myths around depression and provide information on where help and support can be found. We hope to provide a better understanding of treatment options and how to maintain our wellbeing. This course is open to all students, whether they are people who experience depression, families, carers or mental health practitioners. We hope you will find this course informative and empowering.
This is a CPD accredited course.
|
Wednesday 11th November 2026 10am – 3pm
|
Belfast Recovery College
|
| Living with Self Harm | This course aims to raise awareness and increase better understanding of self-harm. This course aims to raise awareness and increase better understanding of self-harm. We will specifically consider myths and misconceptions around self-harm, explore the idea of self-harm as a communication of thoughts and feelings and what can be helpful to those who self-harm. The course will also look at the motivation for changing self-harming behaviours including developing alternative coping strategies.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Thursday 12th November 2026
11am – 2pm
|
Belfast Recovery College
|
| Embedding Hope and Recovery | Recovery is something worked towards and experienced by the person with mental illness. It is not something services can do to the person. The contribution of staff is to support the person in their journey towards recovery. This journey towards recovery is individual and the best way of supporting an individual’s recovery varies from person to person. This course looks at how day-to-day decisions can impact on recovery. Each person is encouraged to think about how they can take control of their own recovery and support others to do the same.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Thursday 12th November 2026
2pm – 3.30pm
|
Online via Ms Teams
|
| Money Management | Managing your money can be challenging, especially in an environment where the cost of living is rising daily. It is often a source of worry for many people. This short course will explore strategies that we can all employ on a daily basis to help us manage our money more effectively. The course will look at the benefits of budget planning and show students how to compile a budget. The course will be interactive and will aim to empower and enable students to consider different strategies that will improve their ability to manage money and find ways to avail of resources in the community.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Monday 16th November 2026
10am – 12pm
|
Belfast Recovery College
|
| ESA & Universal Credit | Have you claimed this benefit and been turned down? Are you considering a claim for this benefit? Are you aware of what Universal Credit involves?
If you have answered yes to any of these questions and you would like to know more about these benefits, then this course is for you. This course will explain the criteria of entitlement to these benefits, the process for claiming and the appeals process if you are turned down. It will also outline the support that is available from advice services. This is a CPD accredited course. |
Tuesday 17th November 2026
10am – 12:30pm |
Belfast Recovery College |
| Taking Control of Your Own Wellbeing | Many of us lead very busy lives. Often, finding the right balance is a challenge and it is all too easy for our own health and wellbeing to take a back seat. It can be hard to know where to begin if you want to make a change for the better. This course is designed for those who want help to think about their own wellbeing and to take the practical steps to improve it. Learn new skills and techniques, create a realistic plan for the future and put it into practice.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Wednesday 18th November
2026 10am – 12:30am |
Online via MS Teams
|
| Top Tips for Looking after Yourself | The Top Tips for Looking after yourself programme is co-delivered in partnership with the Belfast Trust Health Improvement Team. It is an interactive workshop to enable and empower students to understand their mental health, manage stress and build resilience. In this practical course you will become more aware of your own stress levels. You will explore skills and self-help strategies to promote and protect your own emotional wellbeing. You will gain an increased awareness and knowledge of support organisations available to individuals within the community.
This is not a CPD accredited course. |
Thursday 19th November 2026 1:30pm – 4pm |
Online via MS Teams |
| Job Skills for Everyone | This practical, fun and interactive course will help prepare students for job searching. You may feel overwhelmed at the thought of the application process and nervous at the prospect of an interview. We will cover techniques and tips in writing job applications, interview skills and communication.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Monday 23rd November 2026 10am – 12:30pm
|
Belfast Recovery College
|
| Food & Mood | The relationship between our diet and our mental health is complex. However, research shows a link between what we eat and how we feel.
Certain foods and nutrients help your brain to make chemicals that can impact your mood, attention and focus, while other foods can zap your energy. Eating well can help you feel better. During this course we explore the relationship between what you eat and how you feel, including tips on how to introduce healthy eating into your life. This is a CPD accredited course. |
Monday 23rd November 2026
1pm – 4pm
|
Belfast Recovery College
|
| Group Skills | “Do you want to set up a group? Are you wondering where to start? This session will help you to decide on your groups purpose and help you understand how groups work and will be delivered from a lived and learned perspective. The session will also look at some of the skills needed to get a group started and keep it going. This is a CPD accredited course. | Tuesday 24th November 2026 10am – 12.30pm | Belfast Recovery College |
| Living with Bipolar Disorder | Bipolar Affective Disorder is not just about experiencing the ups and downs of everyday life. It’s about experiencing extreme highs and lows that seems to take on a life of their own, independent of events around you. This course will discuss the experience of living with Bi-Polar for students; its causes, triggers, treatment options and ways of preventing relapse. The aim is to help students to deal with the impact of this disorder on one’s daily life.
This is a CPD accredited course. |
Wednesday 25th November 2026 1:30pm – 4pm |
Belfast Recovery College |
| Volunteering, Wellbeing & Me | Have you ever wondered about volunteering? This course helps you develop the confidence and knowledge of how and where to start. You will learn all about the different types of volunteering there are, explore the benefits of
volunteering for you personally, and for the wider world around you. You will see how volunteering can boost and support your overall wellbeing and provide you with the chance to give back and connect more to your local community. You’ll be amazed to discover the huge variety of roles that there are available, and you’ll discover how to find roles that suit your abilities and interests, and roles that can help you learn new skills too! This practical, fun, and interactive course has been designed with input from Belfast Recovery College, Volunteer Now, and the Volunteering Department in the Belfast HSC Trust. It will guide you through the process of finding and securing rewarding volunteering opportunities for yourself. Come along and learn how to put your time, effort and unique talents into a role that supports everyone! This is a CPD accredited course. |
Thursday 26th November 2026
1pm – 3:30pm |
Belfast Recovery College |
| Peer Support Worker & Peer Educator Information Session | Are you interested in learning more about Peer Support Worker or Peer Educator roles within Belfast Trust Mental Health Services? You may be considering applying when opportunities are advertised but would like to find out more about these rewarding roles before taking the next step.
This 2-hour session will explore the roles of both Peer Educators and Peer Support Workers, outlining the responsibilities involved, the application process, and the personal qualities and experience that can support success in these positions. The session will provide an opportunity to reflect on whether you feel ready for either role, identify any training or experience you may still need, and consider whether these career pathways are right for you. The session will be of interest to anyone considering applying for full-time, part-time, or Bank opportunities within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. The Recovery College prospectus also includes courses such as Job Skills and Basic IT Skills which are designed to help develop confidence and skills in completing job applications, online forms, and preparing for interviews. This is not a CPD accredited course. |
Friday 27th November 2026
10am – 12pm |
Belfast Recovery College |
| Happy Feet Dance | Get ready to move, smile, and have fun at Happy Feet Dance Classes! An uplifting dance programme that blends fun routines, social connection and targeted strength and co-ordination exercises. Designed especially for beginners, this class is all about simple moves and enjoying music in a relaxed and friendly environment. Our easy-to-follow routines will have you stepping, swaying, and grooving in no time. Classes help to boost your confidence and improve physical and mental well-being. Each class is stand alone, you do not need to attend all 3, however you are welcome to book onto as many as you like.
This is not a CPD accredited course.
|
Monday 30th November 2026
10am – 11am
|
Belfast Recovery College
|
| Living with Loss | This course explores the many forms of loss. Participants will examine practical ways of living well alongside loss and developing resilience in the face of change.
The course incorporates group discussion, personal reflection, and shared learning. As the subject matter can be emotionally challenging, students are encouraged to consider their own wellbeing before attending and ensure they feel comfortable discussing experiences of loss and grief within a group setting. This is a CPD accredited course. |
Monday 30th November 2026
1pm – 4pm |
Belfast Recovery College |
 |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
