Develop your skills: unique mental health recovery programme

Student development programme

About the programme

The Student Development Programme (the programme) aims to foster hope, optimism and control, empowering students to strengthen and self-manage their mental health and recovery. Everyone on the programme is supported to complete a development plan and to establish personal goals that support their personal recovery journey. The programme is delivered through face-to-face and online teaching sessions with additional one-to-one support sessions.

The programme is an excellent opportunity for students to advance in their recovery and achieve their personal goals, including those considering taking up new activities, volunteering or employment. The programme is for any student who has attended other New Leaf college courses and wishes to learn more about personal recovery, improve their self-confidence and self-esteem and move forward despite life’s challenges. The course is of particular relevance to those students who have a lived experience of mental health challenges who feel they would like to take the next step in their recovery journey.

This is an extended programme of learning delivered over 18 weeks (during term-time) and a commitment of regular attendance is required. Please email Newleaf.wellbeingcollege@nhs.net if you wish to express your interest and would like more information.

Programme objectives

Are to:

Increase student connections and a sense of belonging.
Help students create meaningful goals that promote personal recovery and support their aspirations.
Enhance students’ mental wellbeing by helping them develop resilience, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-acceptance, hope and optimism.
Offer opportunities for students to contribute lived experience to enhance other students’ experience and learning.

What the programme offers

Students will explore and discover personal strengths and motivation and learn tools and skills to help self-manage their recovery. The Programme is for 18 weeks and offers:

Development Opportunities
- You can develop skills and enhance your recovery through the College’s development opportunities.
- It would help if you reflected on your individual development plans and how these opportunities might help you achieve your aspirations and goals. The opportunities may include involvement in the classroom, attending coproduction meetings, participating in workshops and events, and work experience opportunities in the office. Use the support offered to discuss what would suit you best and how to use your existing skills fully.
Individual Development Plan and ongoing support
- Creating a development plan with support and termly review with a Student Involvement Coordinator
- Ongoing 1:1 support with a Student Involvement Coordinator
- Opportunity to create a Wellbeing Plan
- Monthly Group Support & Supervision Meetings.
Programme handbook with self-reflective exercises

Teaching modules and sessions
- Teaching sessions on mental health recovery-related topics (see contents page)
- Mandatory online and in-person HPFT training
- INSET / one-off teaching sessions.

If you would like to find out more, contact us via email or telephone: 01442 864966.

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.