Student development programme

Is this your moment?

Are you ready to invest in yourself, strengthen your recovery and improve your wellbeing?

About the programme

The Student Development Programme (the Programme) is an excellent opportunity for students to progress in their recovery and achieve their personal goals. It is for any student at the College who wants to learn more about recovery and move forward despite life's challenges, including those considering taking up new activities, volunteering, or employment.

This 12-week Programme offers practical learning, reflection, and structured support to help you develop skills and self-confidence to move forward on your personal recovery journey.

Programme objectives and outcomes

The Programme aims to help you:

Build connections and gain a sense of belonging.
Create meaningful goals that support personal recovery and aspirations.
Strengthen resilience, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-acceptance, hope and optimism.
Build on your existing strengths and abilities.
Discover and expand your potential.
Share your lived experience to inspire and support others.

You’ll explore your personal strengths and motivations while learning practical tools and skills to help you self-manage your recovery.

The Programme runs for 12 weeks and offers:

Six in-class teaching sessions on mental health recovery-related topics
Five online reflective sessions for discussion of the learning
Individual development plan and wellbeing planning
Ongoing 1:1 support
A Programme handbook

Join the Journey

Join the Programme and become part of a supportive, empowering community where your input makes a real difference.

Next steps

To find out more or express your interest, please contact: Newleaf.wellbeingcollege@nhs.net

Student Transformations

Elizabeth's Transformation

From static and isolated to working part-time as a carer and being more involved in their local community. Read how Elizabeth used the Student Development Programme to really turn her life around.

Shy student to lived experience tutor

Read about the transition of a student who has gone from being too shy to contribute to meetings to being one of our talented expert by experience storytellers.

Rahaul's Transformation

This student joined the men's health course in 2021 and quickly progressed to expert by experience, where he co-produced and co-delivered courses. "I truly believe that the college has been one of the best things to happen to me. I have learned so much and met so many fantastic people."

Kirsty's Transformation

Curious mum of three to community member and employee. Discover how the college aided Kirsty’s recovery and how curiosity turned into opportunities once Kirsty joined the student development programme.

Student Interview

"I joined the student development programme because I wanted to give back to the community and learn how to share my story in a positive way to inspire others. My negative experiences have helped create a new purpose for me" Read how being on the student development programme has helped this sudents' personal recovery.

Read interview

NHS employee

"After attending numerous courses in my two years with the college, I feel I have developed as a person." "The courses taught me the importance of baby steps and resilience which has helped me build a strong foundation to enable me to move forward."

Louisa's Experience

From student to Marketing Co-ordinator. Read about Louisa and her astonishing recovery journey

Jeannette's Transformation

From student to co-facilitator and course writer. Read about Jeanette and how the student development programme has helped to give her a sense of purpose.

Geoff's Transformation

From student to student development co-coordinator. “After attending courses at the College as a student I took the opportunity to join the Student Development Programme and have been involved in the College as an Expert by Experience since

Mini testimonials

Thank you for all your teaching. I feel I have made more progress in the past year than in the previous 14 years!

I want to thank Geoff so much for all their hard work in running and delivering this programme, for their passion and professionalism. I hope the college continues to deliver the programme and help more people like me.

I am on the path to recovery now and although it is never linear, I continue to make very good progress. I feel very lucky that I was part of this wonderful programme.

I continue to learn from the material in the Student Handbook and am so glad we have this resource. The skills and the material we learnt about will stay with me on my journey, and as a result of the programme I have learnt a lot about my mental health and recovery.

I've never really been supported in this way before and because of it I have made good progress

I have benefited so much from everything I have learnt and the ongoing one to one support I have received from Geoff.

Thank you for giving me the chance to reignite my life through your amazing life affirming Student Development Programme.