New service launched to support mental health

Sunday 19 March 2017

A new Recovery College has been launched in the Island to help people recover from mental illnesses.

It comes from the 2015 mental health strategy which found that Islanders wanted a service focused on recovery support.

Beth Moore, Manager of the JRC, said: “Recovery was a big part of what came out of that strategy and the College was the vehicle that the States of Jersey wanted to invest in to bring that to life. They commissioned the development of the service early last year.”

The initiative is funded mostly by the States, but as an independent charity, the JRC also relies on fundraising to operate.

Ms Moore explained how the vision for the college developed last year through a consultation programme with over 100 participants.

She said: “We worked with over 100 people to develop the vision for the college and that is what they are bringing to life at the moment."

In the semester running from January-April, the JRC offered courses to those that had been involved in the consultation surrounding the development of the college.

However, the JRC will be opening the next semester to the public.

Ms Moore said: “When we launch to the public we want to be offering the best product that we can.”

Six topics and eight courses will be offered to Islanders over the next semester which starts in May and registration for the courses will open next month.

Video: Jersey Recovery College received mentorship from the UK based college SLaM.

Speaking about the future growth of the college, Ms Moore said: “I’m hoping by the third semester we’ll be able to offer more courses than we are at the moment”

"The curriculum will end up being really quite diverse and will only really be limited by funding as much as we can put on and the organizations that are willing to partner with us to put our courses on.”

The courses currently offered by the JRC have been coordinated by professionals and partners of the college. Since its creation, the College has been partnering closely with Mind Jersey and the Adult Mental Health Services. 

As the College opens to the public and looks to expand, they are looking to grow their team at the College. Currently the charity are recruiting for a Board of Directors. More information about the positions available can be found on their website here.