Building an initial understanding of UK Recovery College dementia courses: a national survey of Recovery College and memory services staff

Abstract

Purpose Recovery Colleges were developed to support the recovery of people with mental health difficulties through courses co-produced by professionals and people with lived experience. This study aims to examine the use of Recovery Colleges to support people with dementia. Design/methodology/approach A survey was circulated to UK Recovery College and memory service staff, exploring provision, delivery and attendance of dementia courses. Open responses provided insight into participant views about recovery in post-diagnostic support and the practicalities of running dementia courses. Findings A total of 51 Recovery College staff and 210 memory service staff completed the survey. Twelve Recovery College dementia courses were identified across the UK. Three categories emerged from the qualitative data: post-diagnostic support, recovery in the context of dementia, challenges and areas of innovation. Originality/value This study highlights the benefits and practicalities of running Recovery College courses with people with dementia. Peer-to-peer learning was seen as valuable in post-diagnostic support but opinions were divided about the term recovery in dementia.

Protocol for a realist evaluation of Recovery College dementia courses: understanding coproduction through ethnography

“…13 Nonetheless, even when there is broad acceptance of a recovery ‘approach’ to dementia to support finding ways of living well alongside the diagnosis, 14 15 the use of the word ‘recovery’ used together with dementia does not appear to be acceptable to all staff working in memory services. 15 We acknowledge concerns about the term ‘recovery’ in the context of dementia, and anticipate this study will contributing evidence towards the continuing wider debate 16 17 through exploring the perceptions of people with dementia and family supporters. The term requires further exploration critically foregrounding the perspectives of people with lived experience among whom the mental health personal recovery approach originated.…”

“…Such courses align with the strategic health service national dementia strategy aim to empower people living with dementia and their supporters to not only manage their symptoms but also to live positively or ‘well’ with dementia 13. Nonetheless, even when there is broad acceptance of a recovery ‘approach’ to dementia to support finding ways of living well alongside the diagnosis,14 15 the use of the word ‘recovery’ used together with dementia does not appear to be acceptable to all staff working in memory services 15. We acknowledge concerns about the term ‘recovery’ in the context of dementia, and anticipate this study will contributing evidence towards the continuing wider debate16 17 through exploring the perceptions of people with dementia and family supporters.…”

“…The provision of courses for people living with dementia within the Recovery College model is variable across the UK 19. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delivery of Recovery College dementia courses also appears significant with some courses ceasing and others moving to online delivery, although latterly there is a move back to face-to-face or hybrid delivery methods 15. Little is known about how the recovery model within the Recovery College works for people with dementia.…”

“… 19 The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delivery of Recovery College dementia courses also appears significant with some courses ceasing and others moving to online delivery, although latterly there is a move back to face-to-face or hybrid delivery methods. 15 Little is known about how the recovery model within the Recovery College works for people with dementia. Evaluation is needed to determine what works for who, how and when, and therefore, this ethnographic study is grounded within a wider project which draws on realist evaluation approaches.…”

Operationalising the Recovery College model with people living with dementia: a realist review

“…The first UK Recovery College was established in 2009. The model has since been adopted by over 80 organisations; predominantly NHS mental health services and some third sector providers (Hayes et al., 2023 ; Wolverson et al., 2023 ). The Recovery College model represents a core but different, complementary approach to clinical mental health services, and most Colleges for adults with mental health conditions run courses from various community locations, or online, using a ‘hub and spoke’ approach from a central base (Perkins et al., 2017 ).…”