Weekly Update

Featured Article – From Learner to Recovery Coach

In April 2025, I enrolled with the Recovery & Wellbeing College. I had been recently diagnosed with ADHD and had been out of regular employment for several years. I was looking for support and a chance to connect with people.

My first course was Living Well with ADHD, which helped me better understand myself and the way that undiagnosed ADHD had affected my life. I went on to explore as many of the courses as I could, including outdoor yoga and mindfulness, Plot to Plate at a local community garden, several creative arts workshops and Writing for Self-Expression, a poetry-writing course.

The more I became involved, the more the College started to feel like the supportive community I’d been looking for. In July 2025, I read one of my poems at the College’s 10th Anniversary celebration. The reception I got was a huge boost to my confidence, and I soon joined the Editorial Group, became a volunteer, and began co-facilitating courses including Living Well with ADHD and Reading Round.

Volunteering with the College was a life-changing experience. I was able to support and share with learners, develop new skills and start to rebuild my sense of meaning and self-worth.

In July 2026, I joined the College as Calderdale’s first dedicated Recovery Coach. The journey that began as a search for support became one of confidence, purpose and employment. Now I have the immense privilege of helping others on their own path to recovering a life of meaning and value.

If you’re thinking of volunteering with the College, my advice is to give it a go! When I got started, I wasn’t sure if I was well enough or if I had the right skills. Everyone was so supportive and kind, and they really made me feel like I had something valuable to offer.