New Beginnings

New Beginnings is a self-management course for people living with, or in recovery from, a mental health condition.

1 in 4 British adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year and 1 in 6 experiences this at any given time. Mental ill-health is the second most common reason for individuals in work to take sick leave

The course is run over seven consecutive weekly sessions each lasting 2 hours 30 minutes, with a maximum group size of 12 participants.

The ‘New Beginnings’ mental health course is delivered in a structured group approach which aids individual growth, and allows guided open discussion to be positive and productive. The course is flexible and can be adapted to suit the specific requirements of participants. Through a process of discussion, peer support an cognitive behavioural techniques, the course helps participants learn how to deal effectively with the problems of daily living.

The course is delivered by trained and accredited people with firsthand experience of living with a mental health condition or emotional difficulties who can demonstrate the tremendous benefits that taking part in the course can bring.

Benefits for participants include:

Improved quality of life

Increased confidence and motivation

Improved relationships with family, friends, work colleagues, health and social care professionals

Can reduce the effects of stigma and disempowerment

Increased social inclusion

Reduced feeling of isolation, anxiety and depression

More aware of relapse symptoms

“Definitely makes you realise you are not on your own.” A participant

What course participants say

Sonia - Folkestone, Kent

“Since the course, I have decreased my medication. I think the combination of increased exercise and increased confidence has helped.”

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 3½ years ago, when I was almost 29, which, compared to a lot of people, is quite late in life for that diagnosis.  I can’t imagine that receiving this diagnosis is ever easy, but it certainly wasn’t for me.  I was living and working successfully in Cornwall, but then a combination of stressful events occurred that made me spin into a manic episode. 

More on Sonia's story

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