Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s Recovery College is providing a range of support options for people who may feel anxious about the New Year.
The initiative aims to assist those who find the traditional emphasis on resolutions and lifestyle changes challenging, particularly if they have mental health conditions.
The Recovery College offers both workshops and one-to-one coaching sessions to help individuals manage their wellbeing.
Lydia Hall, Tutor Development Lead, said: “As the mental health Trust for Norfolk and Suffolk, we understand the needs of people and how some may feel pressure around this time of year. Whilst resolutions and marketing around a new year, new you, can be a helpful focus for some, it can also have a negative impact on people’s mental health. There will also be people who have experienced a difficult time and feel anxious about the new year ahead, or there will be others who feel the pressure of making a fresh start.
“It is important to remember that our wellbeing isn’t determined by one date in the calendar, so think about focusing on one day at a time, and if you do want to set yourself goals, make them small and achievable.”
Support is available to anyone aged 16 and over living in Norfolk or Suffolk, including carers, supporters, and professionals. The courses cover a wide range of topics such as understanding anxiety, building confidence, and improving overall wellbeing. These sessions are offered free of charge and can be attended either in person or online.
Courses operate on a flexible, casual, and informal basis. Attendance is not recorded in clinical files, participation can be adjusted to work with specific individual needs, and there are no exams or grading tests.
One-to-one coaching sessions can help individuals select suitable courses and navigate the self-booking system. Sessions can be booked in advance via 0300 303 4419 or recoveryonline@nsft.nhs.uk
The upcoming timetable includes courses in locations across Norfolk and Suffolk. For instance, in Norwich, the Self-Compassion and Recovery course runs over three sessions from 7th January. ACT on Life is a four-session programme starting 19th January.
In Great Yarmouth, Let’s Talk: The CHIME model of recovery will be held on 10th February, and First Steps to Building Confidence will run over two sessions on the same day and 17th February.
Lowestoft offers Goal Setting for Recovery on 16th February and An Introduction to Creativity for Wellbeing on 13th and 20th January.
Kings Lynn will host Spirituality and Recovery on 9th January and Understanding and Managing Anxiety across two sessions on 13th and 20th January.
Thetford’s timetable includes Goal Setting for Recovery and Exploring Emotions in February. North Norfolk provides Let’s Talk: Anxiety on 5th January and First Steps to Building Confidence in late January.
Ipswich courses include Living Well with Hearing Voices and Wellness Planning, while Bury St Edmunds offers a range of courses including Spirituality & Recovery and Exploring Emotions across January and February.
The Recovery College continues to expand its offerings, ensuring that support for mental health and wellbeing is accessible to a broad audience. Its community-focused and recovery-oriented approach provides an inclusive environment for learning and personal development.
