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.

Writing Poetry for Recovery
Blog, Writing for wellbeing, Creativity for wellbeing, Self-acceptance, Nature and wellbeing

Writing Poetry for Recovery

In celebration of World Poetry Day, we explore how words can heal, inspire, and transform, and are thrilled to present a collection of nine powerful and heartfelt poems written by students. Dive into each piece and feel the passion and resilience behind every line.

World Poetry Day - 2022
Blog, Writing for wellbeing

World Poetry Day - 2022

Monday 21st March is World Poetry day, and in celebration, we've posted about the benefits of writing poetry along with some of our most recent poetry submissions from our students and experts by experience. 

Read their blog to connect with their inner thoughts. 

World Poetry Day
Blog, Writing for wellbeing, Creativity for wellbeing

World Poetry Day

 Today we celebrate world poetry day and the powerful effect that writing poetry can have on our wellbeing. Read more to see some of the wonderful poems written by some of our very own students.

Writing Creatively for Wellbeing
Blog, Writing for wellbeing, Creativity for wellbeing

Writing Creatively for Wellbeing

#NANOWRIMO

What an exciting time for all you budding writers out there!

Every year on the 1st November, the National Novel Writing Month (#NANOWRIMO) challenge begins. It's an exciting opportunity for all aspiring writers to fulfil their creative dreams. But every single one of you can start writing at any time of the year!

Perfect Writings
Blog, Resilience, Writing for wellbeing, Creativity for wellbeing

Perfect Writings

Penny shares how writing poetry helps her to destress, gain clarity and improves her wellbeing. Penny also shares the poem she wrote because she wanted to advocate how thinking more compassionatey and letting go of perfect was the best thing she did for her wellbeing. 

Free Me
Blog, Resilience, Writing for wellbeing, Creativity for wellbeing, Hope and recovery

Free Me

Helen shares her recovery journey and how she freed herself from the rope and chain prison she was unknowingly creating.

My Writing Journey
Blog, Writing for wellbeing, Creativity for wellbeing

My Writing Journey

Carrie shares how writing has helped her on her way to recovery.

What recovery means to me
Blog, Writing for wellbeing, Hope and recovery

What recovery means to me

Louisa shares her recovery journey, and how the Peer Pathway has helped her forgive herself.