Who We Are

Welcome to Sunderland Recovery College

Sunderland Recovery College provides a diverse range of free, recovery-focused educational courses designed to support individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, as well as their friends and family members.

Our courses are developed to promote personal empowerment, well-being, and self-management. Through accessible and inclusive learning experiences, we aim to help participants:

• Recognise and build upon their unique strengths and capabilities

• Make informed choices that support recovery and personal growth

• Become confident experts in their own mental health journey

No referral is required to attend our courses. Simply come along to one of our enrolment days—it's a quick and straightforward process. However, please note that places are limited and tend to fill up quickly, so early arrival is recommended.

We are committed to customer and carer involvement in every aspect of the college’s development, including feedback from those attending our courses. Your insights help us shape and expand our offerings, ensuring that they remain relevant and impactful.

At Sunderland Recovery College, we believe in a philosophy of shared development, shared delivery, and shared decision-making. Together, we can continue to grow a community of support, learning, and hope.

Sunderland Recovery College is proudly supported by Sunderland Care and Support Ltd., a local authority trading company wholly owned by Sunderland City Council. This partnership enhances the college’s commitment to promoting mental health recovery, wellbeing, and lifelong learning within the community.

Sunderland Care and Support provides:

• Infrastructure and Operational Support: Facilitating the smooth delivery of courses, access to facilities, and administration of day-to-day college operations.

• Expertise in Social Care: Bringing extensive knowledge in adult health and social care to strengthen inclusive practices and ensure support for people with complex needs.

• Workforce Collaboration: Working alongside recovery college staff and Peer Supporters to co-design services that reflect shared values of dignity, respect, and empowerment.

• Community Integration: Helping extend the reach of recovery programmes into wider community settings, ensuring accessibility and promoting social inclusion.

• Commitment to Innovation: Supporting innovative approaches to recovery education, including digital engagement and creative outreach methods.

The involvement of Sunderland Care and Support underscores the Recovery College’s dedication to providing person-centred, recovery-driven opportunities for individuals at all stages of their journey.

The Team

CNTW Peer Supporters at Sunderland Recovery College

Sunderland Recovery College proudly collaborates with Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) to integrate Peer Supporters into its educational and wellbeing programmes. These Peer Supporters bring lived experience of mental health recovery and are trained to support others on their journey toward empowerment and resilience.

Peer Supporters play a crucial role in:

• Co-Producing Courses: Working collaboratively with staff and students to design and deliver recovery-focused learning opportunities.

• Facilitating Groups and Workshops: Drawing on personal insights to create inclusive, relatable sessions that resonate with participants.

• Promoting Hope and Recovery: Inspiring others by sharing experiences and demonstrating that meaningful recovery is possible.

• Providing Individual Support: Offering empathetic guidance and informal one-to-one support as part of the college’s wider wellbeing initiatives.

• Extending Community Outreach: Participating in projects beyond the college setting to connect with broader communities and reduce stigma.

This partnership with CNTW ensures that Peer Support remains at the heart of the college’s philosophy—empowering students not only to learn, but to grow through connection, mutual understanding, and shared experience.

From Students to Volunteers at the Recovery College

The Recovery College offer a transformative educational environment where individuals facing mental health challenges can explore personal growth, resilience, and community integration. One of the most powerful aspects of the college is the journey many students undertake—from learners to active contributors—as volunteers.

Transitioning into Volunteer Roles

As students gain confidence and develop skills, many express a desire to give back to the community that supported their recovery.  

The recovery college provide clear routes into volunteering, including mentorship, training, and shadowing opportunities.

Volunteer assist in course delivery, help with peer support groups, facilitate workshops, or offer administrative assistance. Volunteers bring authenticity and empathy, serving as role models for newer students.

Many volunteers use their experience as a springboard into paid roles in mental health, community work, or further education.

Voices from the College

"Becoming a volunteer helped me reconnect with my purpose. I wasn’t just sharing my story—I was helping others shape theirs."

"It’s not just a college. It’s a community that sees your potential before you do."