The Recovery Education Centre (REC) is delivered in partnership between Dorset HealthCare and the Dorset Mental Health Forum, a local peer led charity. We offer a wide range of educational courses across Dorset which focus on recovery and wellbeing.
We believe people and communities hold their own solutions and through working in partnership everyone can realise their own unique potential. Our courses are free to attend and are open to anyone over the age of 18 years living in Dorset. Our vision is to provide a learning space that is accessible to all, available to people with personal experience of mental health difficulties and those accessing mental health services, as well as carers, friends, family, supporters and staff.
The REC co-develops and co-delivers educational-based courses and resources focusing on recovery, wellbeing and shared learning, bringing together the expertise of professionals and people with lived experience.
Our courses are available to people with personal experience of mental health difficulties as well as carers, friends, family, and supporters including staff.
The focus is on shared learning, self determination and choice. The REC provides opportunity to explore and understand experiences and to recognise and develop skills and tools which may help in your recovery journey.
Our courses have been co-designed to be mindful of the potential impact of trauma experiences. You will find there are some specific courses relating to trauma and distress, however, all of our REC courses provide learning opportunities around this.
How do I access recovery education?
Courses
During our term time we run a programme of free courses, both webinar and face to face, these are opportunities to share learning with others. Our Summer term courses will be running from the beginning of May until the end of July 2025. Our Summer Timetable and Course Descriptions are now available on our courses page.
To attend any of our courses you first need to complete your registration and enrolment.
Resources
We have a variety of online learning materials and resources available including podcasts, worksheets and videos. These can be found in our Learn online section which is regularly updated with new resources. You can search the resources list by topic, you can then watch, listen or download our resources at your convenience.
Key information about this service
Access Mental Health offers a range of services which provide mental health support at times and places when people need it the most - online, over the phone and face to face.
The Discovery Project combines the expertise of NHS healthcare professionals, the lived experience of peer specialists and the voices of young people (aged 13-25) to create spaces to explore and share what mental health, recovery, and wellbeing means by looking at what matters to you.
Dorset Mental Health Forum promotes wellbeing and recovery in Dorset through lived experience expertise. Its projects aim to increase understanding of mental health and to support and enable people to live the lives they wish to live.
Dorset Open Door is a local service that supports people bereaved or affected by a death where the cause may be suicide, particularly traumatic or sudden.
Dorset Work Matters helps people who are accessing mental health services to find, or continue in, paid employment.
Other online resources
Veterans Hub is a community project based in Weymouth that supports veterans and their families.
NHS Every Mind Matters explores available support and how to 'Be kind to your mind.' This includes expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
The Mental Health Foundation has many publications containing high-quality, evidence-based information on a variety of mental health topics which are free to download. You may also like to explore their podcasts.
The Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust has an Online Recovery College with a range of resources.