Welcome to Lincolnshire Recovery College!
Are you finding life challenging or supporting someone who is? Do you want to learn from people with real life experience, alongside education and health professionals? If so, the Lincolnshire Recovery College could be for you.
We offer free educational courses about mental health, recovery and wellbeing. Courses are open to anyone aged 16+ who lives, works, or studies in Lincolnshire. There is no referral needed -- you can choose the sessions that you would like to come to and register using the online form.
Sessions are held online via Microsoft Teams and in-person at a variety of locations and venues across the county. Have a look at the timetable to find out when and where these will be held.
If you are a new student with us for this academic year (from Sept 2024), please complete the registration form to request the sessions that you would like to attend. We will then be in touch with more information about your courses. Please make sure to book as group sizes are limited.
You can come along with a friend or supporter, however they will need to register and book a place too.
More information
Student feedback
What was good about the courses you attended?
"Interaction between presenters and attendees, and the interaction between the two presenters. Clear messages conveyed throughout presentation."
"Engaging trainers who added really well to the slides and brought the information to life. They made everyone comfortable and the pace was good. Useful information."
"It felt very inclusive and the hosts made an effort to welcome everyone by name. The course was delivered succinctly and was clear, and prompted lots of involvement throughout, ensuring diversity of feedback and thoughts on ways we could implement and understand the course materials and objectives."
"Very polite, warm and welcoming course leaders. It was easy to understand and has taught me a few things. I felt heard and understood."
Let’s talk about it – Mental Health
“Extremely well delivered. Very interactive with contributions encouraged. Highly interesting statistics that both shocked and intrigued me. This course encouraged me to expand my knowledge. People delivering the session discussed their own experiences. Everyone felt comfortable to contribute to the session.
"There is useful information that makes attending worthwhile for everyone. Nothing short of fantastic, thank you very much.”
Drama for wellbeing workshop
“I will smile when I think of this workshop. The ideas covered were great and facilitators made participants feel comfortable.”
Dreaming of a better sleep
“Everyone contributed their own experiences, struggles and tips. I am normally shy to contribute but felt comfortable. It felt inclusive, especially as the trainers shared their experiences.
"The course was engaging and there was space to discuss, which I found helpful. The session felt respectful and non-judgemental. It was a safe space to explore the topic and share.”
Creative Connections
“A fantastic session! It was amazing to see other people’s creativity and the enjoyment they feel. Tutors were really encouraging of all the creations that were displayed!”
Meet the team
The College has qualified teachers and trainers, and experienced health professionals. Our teaching team also includes people with lived experience of mental illness.
Sara Brewin - Service Manager for Allied Health Professionals, Recovery and Inclusion
Sara started at LPFT in 2003 as a Community Support Worker in a Community Mental Health Team. In 2011, she qualified as an Occupational Therapist.
Sara is passionate about mental health, recovery and inclusion. She values the role collaborative working plays in a person’s recovery. Actively working alongside the College, Sara champions the team's fantastic work.
Outside of work, Sara enjoys being a mum. She spends time with family and friends, and going on walks for mental wellbeing.
Amy Day - Recovery College Manager
Amy has worked in NHS mental health services for over 20 years. She has a background in health and wellbeing, recovery and teaching. Amy works with the team, volunteers and students to provide an inclusive and collaborative service.
She considers the College to be a valuable community asset. It provides the opportunity to learn about mental health, recovery and wellbeing. She believes in celebrating strengths, inspiring hope, creating opportunities, and learning together.
Ed Stables - Recovery College Occupational Therapist
Ed completed an apprenticeship in cabinet-making but mental ill-health led to a change of direction.
He combined practical and creative skills with an interest in fostering health and wellbeing. He re-trained as an occupational therapist and worked for 23 years in this role.
Ed loves to share his knowledge and skills. He remains passionate about the importance of meaningful activities for recovery.
John Bowtell – Recovery College Drama Worker
John’s background is as a theatre director. He has worked for over 20 years in the NHS. This includes being a drama therapist. John is interested in how we can use creativity to develop our roles to act in everyday life.
He trains internationally in Developmental Transformations, which draws on personal experience.
Andy Leaston - Peer Support Worker Coordinator
Andy started his career with LPFT in August 2018 working as a Peer Support Worker within the Louth Community Mental Health Team. Before that, he had worked and volunteered in a wide range of community development roles in his hometown of Manchester. He uses his own lived experience to inform his work, acknowledging that this journey continues and that each day can present challenges. He strongly believes that compassionate person-centred care is at the core of the recovery journey.
Andy passionately believes in the empowerment of individuals and equipping people with the tools needed to break down barriers and to challenge stigma.
He enjoys family life and finds his mindful space in music and walks in all weathers.
Charlynne Wright - Peer Support Worker Co-ordinator
Charlynne has worked in the NHS for over 10 years, with almost 6 years of those being within the Perinatal Mental Health Team as a Peer Support Worker. After the support of LPFT’s Mental Health services when pregnant, Charlynne decided to make it her mission to help others.
Charlynne became very passionate about the role of Peer Support Worker and is now a PSW Co-ordinator, hoping to help and guide all other PSW’s. She loves to empower people and help them to use their experience’s of mental health in a positive way.
Mindfulness, singing and being with her family helps her to keep well and grounded.
Kayleigh Sherwin - Mental Health Practitioner - Family Hub
Kayleigh qualified as a Midwife in 2022 at The University of Lincoln and completed her three years of training at ULHT. She then resided in the Northwest for 18 months and worked as a newly qualified Midwife within a busy trust. On returning home to Lincolnshire Kayleigh took on a new role as a Health and Social care lecturer gaining experience in teaching and delivering courses.
Kayleigh is passionate about mental health and wellbeing especially within the perinatal period. She feels it is valuable to use lived experiences to relate to women and families through the more difficult times of pregnancy and beyond.
Outside of work, Kayleigh likes to spend time with her busy family enjoying weekends in her campervan exploring the Lake and peak Districts. Kayleigh can be found in her spare time either up a mountain or running long distances (for fun!).
Liz Stradling - Senior Peer Support Worker - Family Hub
Liz worked for the third sector in homelessness for many years.
When an opportunity arose in 2015 to undertake PGCE in Secondary education, Liz jumped at the chance and the rest, as they say, is history.
Liz has taught on community courses, including English, Maths and ESOL, for children, young people and adults.
Liz has her own lived experience of managing her mental health and maintains her well-being by spending time outside with her animals and appreciating the great outdoors.
Leah Booth - Peer Support Worker - Family Hub
Leah has a background in family support and the early years. She moved to the retail sector due to starting a family and her own personal mental ill-health. Since then, she has been inspired during her recovery to ensure that people’s voices are heard and can be supported by a peer.
Recently joining the Recovery College, she looks forward to supporting and educating people along their journeys. Leah enjoys teaching Kickboxing and training, reading and loves days out with her family.
Mick Hickman - Peer support worker - Family Hub
Mick has previously served in the Armed forces for 12 years, followed by 12 years as a Police Officer, he has recently moved over to LPFT from NHS Property Services. Over the years Mick has witnessed the best and worst that life can throw at you, and during that time he was also a single parent coping with Military and Police life whilst supporting and raising his daughter.
Mick is a published author and an award-winning photographer which he uses for his own mindfulness. Mick has a wealth of life experiences which he hopes he can use to assist others with their Mental Health and wellbeing struggles.
Izzy Kusyk (they/them) - Peer Trainer
Izzy first joined LPFT in 2021 as an Assistant Psychologist and has worked in adult mental health rehabilitation wards, acute settings and the core CAMHS team. Izzy supports people in their recovery through different episodes of mental health difficulties or illnesses. Outside of the NHS, Izzy is a grief and bereavement counsellor and has experience in supporting people through acquired brain damage rehabilitation as well as delivering various soft skills training.
In their Recovery College Peer Trainer role, Izzy believes in the value and benefits of lifelong learning, personal growth and nurturing everyone’s strengths and potential to improve their wellbeing and mental health. Having been through mental health rough patches themselves, Izzy can use their insight into mental health recovery, hope and the process of healing. Lived experience also helps Izzy to work in a non-judgemental way with compassion and understanding towards everyone’s individual struggles and unique recovery journey. Izzy is non-binary, Autistic, ADHD and part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Outside of work. Izzy loves books, nature, and staying active while practicing martial arts. Izzy restores their energy and motivation through spending time with their kids and four cats, taking photos of nature and being at the seaside.
Luke Sanby - Peer Trainer
Luke was a carer for 20 years, from being a young carer and balancing education, to working alongside other carers and eventually exiting the care role.
At Bishop Grosseteste he studied Education & English, although his care role made this something he had to end prematurely, his time at university left him with a passion for education and the democratisation of learning.
He hopes to provide a supportive space for carers, as he was lucky to experience as a young & young adult carer.
In his free time Luke enjoys writing, making music and a few revolving hobbies for when the right mood strikes.
Kimberly Chapman - Peer Support Worker
Kimberly has previously worked in the performing arts industry around the country. After initially working and teaching young adults and children she decided to focus on working with younger children and went on to work as a senior support worker.
During her life Kimberly has experienced her own mental health challenges. Having realistic expectations and goals helps Kimberly to support her mental health. She believes that being open and acknowledging your own mental health and owning it is the first step to recovery, Kimberly has learnt to speak openly about her life challenges and does this to empathise and support others. She strongly believes that no matter the situation every person matters and she is passionate about making sure that peoples voices are heard!
Kimberly enjoys working out, dancing, listening to music and walking in places such as beaches, lakes and rivers helpful as she finds water is soothing. Kimberly also believes that it is helpful to have a good sense of humour and being able to find humour in situations has helped with her own recovery.
Helen Bussey - Volunteer
Helen trained as a physiotherapist and moved into education when she started her family. Helen worked with children with special educational needs to enable them to access mainstream education.
Following an episode of mental ill-health, Helen retired early. She enjoys helping at the College, supporting people on their recovery journey.
Abi Burgess – Part Time Administrator
Abi has a background in customer service and sales. Since 2013, she was a Mortuary Technician and later a Coroners Officer. Due to ill health and knowing that her wellbeing was compromised, she started a new career.
Abi believes her past experiences working with the bereaved help her understand how important wellbeing is. Along with hiking and walking, she draws mandalas as a creative outlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are the courses free?
Yes! All our courses are free and the Microsoft Teams app is free to download.
2. Who can come on the courses?
Anyone aged 16 or over and who is a citizen of Lincolnshire, can sign up with the College. You don’t need to be involved with mental health services. Many of our students are or have been supported by mental health services. However carers, health professionals, and anyone looking to improve their wellbeing can also benefit from learning with us. No referrals from health professionals are needed.
3. How many courses can I take?
We recommend you choose courses that will be most relevant and of benefit to your wellbeing. We would suggest no more than between 5 to 7 per half term. This allows you to spread out your learning and put into practice what you have learnt.
4. Do I need any qualifications? Will I have to take any tests at the College?
No, you don’t need any qualifications to learn with us and there are no tests.
5. How many other people will be on the course with me?
We limit the amount of online learners to around 10 per course, as learners benefit from smaller groups. However, due to circumstances and demand, this may vary occasionally.
6. How do I enrol at the College?
Fill in the online registration form and we’ll contact you to book onto courses.
If you require support to complete the application form, please contact us. Call 01522 309333 (Monday to Friday 9am to 2.30pm) and we can complete the form over the phone.
7. During online courses, do I need to have the device camera on?
We would prefer it if you can as it easier for staff to engage with you. Please remember to switch it off if you require a break.
8. What should I do if I need to cancel a session?
Places on our courses are limited and many sessions become fully booked. If you’re unable to attend a booked session, we ask that you email us. Please do so at the earliest opportunity so we can offer your place to another student.
If you don’t attend a booked session and don’t let us know in advance, we may cancel your remaining bookings. You’ll be able to re-book should you wish to continue learning with us.
