Blogs, articles, insights and research
Blogs, articles, insights and research
🧭 Navigating This Blog

Hearing about the experiences of others, and sharing tools and tips to support recovery, is one of the foundations of our culture. We can create connections by sharing about our lived experience – especially those that offer inspiration and hope.

Recovery in mental health is not always well understood; sharing your experiences makes personal recovery come alive. It also supports values and strengthens lessons learned from life experiences. It helps to build community and create connections.

You can find lots of inspirational stories; use the search bar at the top to find stories relevant to you. To return to this page after a search, please press the back button in your browser.

✍️ Share Your Experiences

If you are a registered student and would like to share about your experience, please contact us.

You can read more student experiences on our testimonials page and student development programme page.

📰 Newsletters

To make our website and newsletters more accessible from 2025 onwards, all blogs, tips and articles published in our e-newsletters will be published on this page.

You can also read PDF newsletters published before 2025.

📝 Write for the Blog

We welcome students who are interested in writing blogs, sharing reflections, or contributing creative content to support others on their recovery journey.

Get started by visiting the following links:

If you have any questions or ideas, please contact us at newleaf.wellbeingcollege@nhs.net.

Movement for wellbeing
Blog, Keeping active and physical exercise, Self-care

Movement for wellbeing

How making it a part of your holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing will benefit you.

When considering techniques to improve mental health, New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College recommends that individuals take a holistic approach and utilise practical tools to support positive changes. Read the blog to find out why and how you can incorprate movement into your everyday life. 

Why gardening brings me joy
Blog, Keeping active and physical exercise, Creativity for wellbeing, Spiritual self-care, Nature and wellbeing

Why gardening brings me joy

In this interview, Susanna shares how gardening helps her wellbeing, and the small steps anyone can take to get started. 

Being (outside in the) cold improved my mental health
Blog, Keeping active and physical exercise, Spiritual self-care, Self-care

Being (outside in the) cold improved my mental health

A student story

The Joy of Nature
Blog, Keeping active and physical exercise, Nature and wellbeing

The Joy of Nature

"Like a lot of people in the last couple of years I’ve started gardening and begun to appreciate how plants and nature are more complex than we once realised."

Read Rosies' full story to appreciate the impact that gardening has had on Rosies wellbeing. 

Immerse and explore Hertfordshire
Blog, Keeping active and physical exercise, Mindfulness, Spiritual self-care, Self-care, Nature and wellbeing

Immerse and explore Hertfordshire

Mental Health Awareness Week

To continue celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week by Mental Health Foundation, we will show you how ...

Why nature?
Blog, Keeping active and physical exercise, Spiritual self-care, Self-care, Nature and wellbeing

Why nature?

Mental Health Awareness Week

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and this year the theme is ‘Why nature?’. The Mental Health Foundation have highlighted...

 
Why Walking Works
Blog, Campaign, Keeping active and physical exercise, Nature and wellbeing

Why Walking Works

Mental Health Awareness Week

In our recent blog about nature and wellbeing, some of the recommended nature activitties included ...

Mental Health Awareness Week
Blog, Campaign, Keeping active and physical exercise, Spiritual self-care, Nature and wellbeing

Mental Health Awareness Week

Today marks the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health.