Reflections on Co-production, Lived Experience and the Shared Learning Environment within the Development and Early Delivery of a Recovery College.

Abstract

Objective: This study sought to explore and value the experiences of the service users, staff, carers and volunteers who were involved in the development and early establishment of a recovery college in a large mental health Trust in the United Kingdom.
 Research Design and Methods: This qualitative study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the experiences of 25 participants who were involved in the design, development and early delivery phases of the recovery college. Data was collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews.
 Results: The findings discuss a number of key features relating to participants’ experiences of the development of the recovery college, with the central themes being: 1) co-production; 2) lived experience; and 3) the shared learning environment.
 Conclusions: Key recommendations for those seeking to develop their own recovery college include: i) co-production is essential, but there are both philosophical and practical considerations; ii) lived experience is valuable, but it needs to be valued and supported within both the recovery college and the host organisation; and iii) the shared learning environment and educational approach of the college is vital and needs equity of opportunity between the service users, staff, carers and volunteers involved.

Recovery in Mind: A Recovery College's journey through the Covid‐19 pandemic

“…This study identified co‐production occurring amongst students and peer trainers whereas other RC evaluations have identified co‐production as the preserve of peer trainers, 15 , 45 particularly during periods of service development and change. Bester et al 24 and Ali et al 46 identify this as primarily due to the challenges of embedding RC activity within a host organization more accustomed to engaging co‐productively with specific ‘experts by experience’ rather than with a cohort of service users. As an independent RC, RiM has never faced this challenge.…”

Eroding the Stigma of Mental Illness and Enhancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

“…Given that much of society has been developed in a way that serves the majority, to the detriment of individuals with qualities that deviate from what is socially deemed as normative, we must respect that the interests of people with diverse needs are equally important, and work towards creating a world in which these interests are recognized and accommodated. As illustrated in the Ali et al article, valuing, centering, and highlighting the voices of lived experience is essential in pursuit of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discrimination (4) .…”