Recovery in Mind plans to continue offering support online after successful courses during lockdown

Since the pandemic hit last year the team at Recovery in Mind - an organisation that helps people gain the tools and skills to improve their mental health through a range of free courses – have had to, like everyone, adapt how they work so they could continue to provide support to all of their ongoing and new students.

Hard work from the Recovery in Mind team, support from Greenham Trust and its Double Matched Day event, the public’s very generous donations and help from its wide range of supporters has meant the charity has been able to continue its courses since last autumn, as well as providing weekly newsletters to students.

Prior to Covid, students were meeting weekly over a six week period, but since last September the courses have been running online.

Angela Ryan, the founder of Recovery in Mind, and the team have had some great feedback from students and now plan to continue working this way in the future, as well as incorporating face-to-face group work again once the government permits.

She said: "We have had to change our approach with teaching but it has allowed us to grow and develop as a community organisation in a really positive way. We are finding student retention has increased and from this we will continue to learn and develop Recovery in Mind’s approach to supporting future students."

The team have now written and produced short online nano-courses, which are available to watch on the website and which aim to give people an insight into how the organisation works and to help those who struggle with any mental health or wellbeing challenges.

There are courses including how to manage your anxiety, how to think more positively and how to learn to be kinder to yourself.

The organisation said these were all very common issues which everyone can struggle to cope with at some point in their lives and especially now with having to cope with living through a global pandemic.

It added that Covid has had a huge impact on everyone’s mental health and wellbeing and challenged everyone to their limits, affecting some more than others.

The courses help people learn and self-manage their thoughts and feelings and find ways to cope with everyday challenges.

If you or someone you know has been affected with low moods, wellbeing or mental health challenges then Recovery in Mind courses can really help. It’s a free opportunity to learn how to re-educate your thought patterns and feelings so you learn to cope with life’s challenges again and lead a fulfilled life.

For more information visit www.recoveryinmind.org

No Doctor's referral is needed and course times and days can vary depending upon demand.

All adults, aged 18 and above and living in West Berkshire, are welcome.

You can find more help and advice from the following organisations:

Time to Talk: www.t2twb.org or call (01635) 760331. You can also find help and advice on the charity’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (all @t2twb) or by emailing hello@t2twb.org

You can visit recoveryinmind.org and find a number of resources to help you look after your mental health.

Eight Bells for Mental Health: www.eightbellsnewbury.co.uk – call 07387 962220 – email coordinator@eightbellsnewbury.co.uk

Talking Therapies – www.talkingtherapies.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk – call 0300 365 2000

Mental Health Crisis Team – call if you need urgent help, but it’s not an emergency 0300 365 0300 or 0300 365 9999

Sane Line – www.sane.org.uk – call 0300 304 7000

The Samaritans: www.samaritans.org – call 116 123 – email jo@samaritans.org

Childline: www.childline.org.uk – 0800 1111

Mind: www.mind.org.uk – 0300 123 3393 or text 86463