General resources
Before you get started, we’d like you to learn a little bit more about what co-production is and (more importantly) is not.
Local directory
If you’d like to learn more about other services, events, activities or courses in the district from a variety of other groups and organisations, please visit the Community Wakefield directory, hosted by NOVA.
Self-management and workbooks
(If you are searching for workbooks on topics of the courses we cover, such as improving your sleep, understanding and managing depression, crafts, cooking and many many more, please visit our student resources page.)
As part of our “coping with the cost of living series”, we’re bringing you tips and recipes for cooking and eating well on a tight budget today.
You can find our “Eating Well on a Budget” booklet of recipes, tips and suggestions, produced in conjunction with Wakefield Council, here that you can use and share far and wide that will fill tummies without emptying wallets.
Eating well on a budget (PDF, 7 MB)
If you have any hints or tips you would like to share with us, you can let us know by either emailing us or commenting on our Facebook page.
“We understand that the cost of living crisis is a concern for everyone. That is why the council is working with partner organisations from across the district through the Residents Recovery Group (RRG) to offer help, support, and advice to all residents through their local Help at the Hub venue. The RRG was originally created to support residents through the Covid-19 pandemic but has since evolved to offering support with the cost of living crisis. The support available is vast, from foodbanks and pantries to money and debt advice, with the group working hard to ensure residents have support where needed.” (Cost of living support guide Wakefield District)
You can find the cost of living support guide here.
cost of living support guide Wakefield District (PDF, 1 MB)
A guide to help children and young people (aged 18 and under) in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield to ‘choose well’ when looking after their mental health and wellbeing.
Choose well for mental health children and young people
How to stay calm in a global pandemic (by Dr. Emma Hepburn)
How-to-Stay-Calm-in-a-Global-Pandemic-Free-ebook (PDF, 7 MB)
Do you need a few minutes out? Spend some time listening to our short audio guided relaxation clips from our wonderful volunteer Cate.
Most of us are carrying around anxieties about Covid-19 (coronavirus) and being in lockdown. Have a look at this workbook designed by one of our service users, Samantha, to help with easing these anxieties.
Lifting-lockdown-booklet (PDF, 1007 KB)
Take a look at this fantastic workbook our colleagues at our sister recovery and wellbeing college in Barnsley have created on an introduction to recovery.
1631-Barnsley-introduction-to-recovery-workbook (PDF, 483 KB)1822 Barnsley introduction to recovery workbook – interactive (PDF, 476 KB)
Take a look at this equally brilliant workbook our colleagues at our sister recovery and wellbeing college in Barnsley have created on anxiety.
1626-Barnsley-recovery-college-anxiety-workbook-v2 (PDF, 427 KB) 1626 Barnsley recovery college anxiety workbook – interactive (PDF
They’ve been at it again – this time with some interactive workbooks around moving more and improving sleep.
1964 Barnsley recovery college habits for sleep workbook – interactive (PDF, 351 KB) 1965 Barnsley recovery college moving more workbook – interactive (PDF, 282 KB)
Our wonderful volunteers and students have put together a playlist of uplifting songs that help them to feel better when they’re not quite feeling themselves. Have a look through the playlist and pick a few songs to listen to that might help you lift your spirits. If you have the time, why not give the whole playlist a go!!
Wakefield Recovery College’s Uplifting Playlist (DOC, 2 MB)
Our Trust infection prevention and control team have put together some really useful information about Covid-19 (coronavirus) infection control in the home…
Infection prevention in the home – what’s bugging you (PDF, 2 MB)
Take a look at our fantastic tutor Nirmala (working with us from the charity Spirit In Mind) and her snippets of mindfulness practice. Watch each of the videos and join in…
Thought for the day – peacefulness
Barnsley have been at it again! This time, they’ve produced this amazing workbook around habits for improving sleep.
1717 Barnsley recovery college habits for sleep workbook (PDF, 446 KB)
Leaving our mental health services
(Credit to Trust Comms)We understand that leaving our services can be a daunting or worrisome time for many.
As part of your treatment and care at the Trust, you will have developed tools and strategies to help manage your health and wellbeing.
Our ‘Ways to wellbeing’ booklet is also a useful resource for supporting your wellbeing. This has been created by our intensive home-based treatment in Kirklees, and is given to people when they leave the service.
You can also take a look at our ‘Choose well for mental health’ guide. The guide features examples of how a person may be feeling alongside some of the support available in these different circumstances.
The guide was created with clinicians at the Trust, alongside people with lived experience of mental health difficulties and their families and carers. It contains lots of useful information and contact details for support services to help you continue on your wellbeing journey.
Resources from other recovery colleges and organisations
Are you interested in learning more about domestic abuse and the support available within the Wakefield Distrist? Take a look at this slideshow from Anna Tomlinson-Simpson and the Wakefield District Domestic Abuse Service (WDDAS). You can also visit their website for more information.
Wakefield District domestic abuse support
20 minute training on suicide awareness from the Zero Suicide Alliance, aiming to give people who participate (at their own pace, in their own time) the skills and confidence to help someone who may be considering suicide.
Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) suicide awareness training
The Zero Suicide Alliance also have other free, shorter modules available to support people with suicide awareness.
Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) alternative training
Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust’s “Recovery College Online”
Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust’s online recovery college
Head over to of our partner Open Country to check out their wildlife webcams
The Wellness Society have put together this really helpful workbook looking at managing anxiety specifically related to Covid-19 (coronavirus).
Managing-Coronavirus-Anxiety-Workbook-Recovery-College (PDF, 550 KB)
Wakefield’s Healthwatch have put together a booklet of useful support, information and advice available to people during the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Healthwatch-Wakefield-Coronavirus-support-and-information (PDF, 1 MB)
Our terrific colleagues at our sister wellbeing and recovery college in Calderdale and Kirklees have created a new physical health newsletter, called Let’s Get Physical. Take a look at their first edition…
Let’s get physical Edition 1 (PDF, 3 MB)
Norfolk and Suffolk Recovery College have been looking at the five different processes of recovery known as CHIME (Connectedness, Hope and optimism, Identity, Meaning in life and Empowerment). Why not find out more…
CHIME training workbook (DOCX, 423 KB)
Blurt Foundation (a social enterprise dedicated to helping those affected by depression) has produced a free downloadable resource library, including information on self-care, crisis planning and supporting someone who has depression).
CAMHS Resources (co-produced by young people, carers and professionals) have put together these downloadable self-help and support guides for young people and for parents, carers and guardians.
Visit to download and for more information and support
Qdos Creates in Barnsley have created various relaxation technique videos during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Breathing Exercises for Relaxation
How to Make Stress Cushions and Stress Balls
Beginner Level Yoga Inspired Chair Exercise
Intermediate Level Yoga Inspired Chair Exercise
Art for Mindfulness – Patterns and Colours
Sensory Art – Monet Inspired Finger-painting
Information from MIND and Rethink Mental Illness on supporting people with suicidal thoughts and feelings.
suicidal-thoughts-how-to-support-someone-factsheet (1) (PDF, 599 KB) support-someone-who-feels-suicidal-2017 (PDF, 596 KB)
Our partners over at Open Country have put together this incredible winter nature activities pack. Why not give something new a try, and get involved with nature in your own little part of the world at the same time.
Mental Health Natters is a brand new podcast to chat about all things recovery and mental health. The team see the podcast as an opportunity to bring hope and inspiration to many by sharing their experiences of living with and recovering from mental health conditions. It is a collaborative project brought to you by the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust Recovery For All team and 3 Experts by Experience: Shay Bacon, Rhea Dunscombe and Eliza Cherrington.
Click here to listen to any of the individual podcast episodes
Videos