ARCH Recovery College

ARCH Recovery College ARCH Recovery College - promoting positive mental health and well-being.

We offer mental health recovery courses and workshops to Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) service users in County Durham with lived mental health experience, their carers and TEWV staff. Courses and workshops aim to support students develop confidence and skills to manage the challenges in their lives, to discover their strengths and explore new ambitions. Courses are held in Durham city centre and various locations across the county for those in rural areas.

***Spaces Available*** - Rich Picturing for Recovery - Tomorrow, Wednesday 19th November, 10-12:30amHi everyone, just to...
18/11/2025

***Spaces Available*** - Rich Picturing for Recovery
- Tomorrow, Wednesday 19th November, 10-12:30am

Hi everyone, just to let you know we have a few spaces left on the Rich Picturing for Recovery session taking place tomorrow at ARCH. Cake and fresh coffee will be available.

"Rich Picturing is a technique used in systems thinking for exploring complex issues by drawing detailed representations of them – symbols, doodles, and sketches – with the goal being to uncover new insights about our own recovery journey. This session will involve us creating rich pictures based on the CHIME factors before discussing what we have drawn with the group. There will also be an opportunity to create a collective rich picture exploring barriers and opportunities to recovery. No artistic skills or prior knowledge of systems techniques are necessary here."

f you'd like to attend, get in touch with us by email at TEWV.recoverycollege@nhs.net, or give us a ring on (0191) 4510890 🙂

Hello, please see details of November's Coffee, Cake & Conversation session which wasn't included in the monthly timetab...
06/11/2025

Hello, please see details of November's Coffee, Cake & Conversation session which wasn't included in the monthly timetable :)

Coffee, Cake & Conversation: Wednesday 26th November,
1:30 - 3:30pm

Theme – ‘Holiday Reminiscences’

As the nights get longer and the days get colder in the run up to Christmas, we start to increasingly miss the warmer, sunnier months. In this month’s Coffee, Cake & Conversation session, we want you to talk about holidays that you have experienced, whether in the UK or further afield. Feel free to bring photos to share around (either hard copies or on a USB stick) and talk about a memorable holiday, whether this has taken place recently or a while ago. As always, freshly-brewed coffee and cake will be available for all attendees.

If you'd like to attend, get in touch with us by email at TEWV.recoverycollege@nhs.net, or give us a ring on (0191) 4510890 🙂

The ARCH walking group enjoyed their walk around Durham earlier today, with the city looking particularly beautiful in t...
30/10/2025

The ARCH walking group enjoyed their walk around Durham earlier today, with the city looking particularly beautiful in the autumn sunshine.

We offer three walking groups a week at ARCH - a gentle walking group on Mondays, our wellbeing walking group on Thursdays, and a photography walk on Fridays. We also offer a 'walking the seasons' mindful walk which takes place in Durham Botanic Gardens on the second Friday of each month.

All are welcome to attend - get in touch with us for further details by emailing us at TEWV.recoverycollege@nhs.net, or give us a ring on (0191) 4510890 🙂

30/10/2025

Final Call for Calendar photos (you can win a posh bar of choccy!)

Just a reminder that the deadline for photos for the 2026 ARCH Calendar is tomorrow, 31st October.

We will be producing a 2026 calendar featuring seasonal nature photos taken in and around the North East by ARCH students, staff, supporters and volunteers.

We want to see your photos taken across all four seasons. Send a variety of photos if possible, maximum ten entries per person, which will be put together into a collage like the accompanying image. We're interested in landscapes, seascapes, flowers, trees, gardens, wildlife, and much more...

There will be a prize (just a bar of posh chocolate, but a prize nonetheless) for the best image. All contributers will receive a free copy of the completed calendar. Photos will only be used in the calendar and the copyright will of course be retained by the photographer.

Many thanks to those who have submitted photos to date.

All entries to peter.swan5@nhs.net

23/10/2025

***Spaces available*** - Understanding depression and antidepressants
- Tomorrow, Friday 24th October
- 1:30-4pm
- Facilitator: Simran Kang (Pharmacist)

Hi everyone, just to let you know that there is some space available on tomorrow's course on understanding antidepressants (and depression).

In this session, we’ll focus on how antidepressant medications work, the different types available, and how they’re used to support your journey in keeping well. We’ll also cover how long they take to work, common side effects, and what to expect when starting or stopping them. This is an informal session where open discussion is encouraged, as well time for 1:1 questions at the end.

To book, please get in touch with us via email at TEWV.recoverycollege@nhs.net, or give us a ring on (0191) 4510890 🙂

A new campaign, 'he thrives' has been launched, celebrating the men in County Durham who take part in physical activity ...
21/10/2025

A new campaign, 'he thrives' has been launched, celebrating the men in County Durham who take part in physical activity (featuring our very own Luke!) The campaign recognises their achievements, highlights the wide range of opportunities available to support men’s health and wellbeing, and encourages others to get involved. This November, there will be more opportunities for men across County Durham to get active and connect with others.

Please share this campaign with any of your networks - the Move County Durham page at https://www.facebook.com/MoveCountyDurham will be sharing stories, videos, and updates throughout the month, so please do follow, like, and share their posts to help spread the message even further.

You can find more about this campaign and how to get involved at https://thriveleisure.co.uk/index.php/activities/he-thrives/

There are just over two weeks left to submit your photos for the ARCH calendar - many thanks to all who have submitted t...
15/10/2025

There are just over two weeks left to submit your photos for the ARCH calendar - many thanks to all who have submitted their photos so far :)

We will be producing a 2026 calendar featuring seasonal nature photos taken in and around the North East by ARCH students, staff, supporters and volunteers.

We want to see your photos taken across all four seasons. Send a variety of photos if possible, maximum ten entries per person, which will be put together into a collage like the accompanying image.

There will be a prize (just a bar of posh chocolate, but a prize nonetheless) for the best image. All contributers will receive a free copy of the completed calendar. Photos will only be used in the calendar and the copyright will of course be retained by the photographer.

Please send all images across to peter.swan5@nhs.net by the 31st of October.

Happy snapping!

14/10/2025

Hi everyone, our timetable for November and December has now been published - please see below for the list of sessions we will be offering:

• Gentle Paced Walking Group (Weekly)
• Cancer & Recovery (1 session)
• Mind, Body & Spirit (weekly)
• Walking for Wellbeing (weekly)
• Photography walk (weekly)
• Let’s Talk Late ADHD Diagnosis (2 sessions)
• Creative Writing (Monthly)
• Positive Psychology (2 sessions)
• Managing Intrusive Thoughts (1 session)
• Music and Nature (1 session)
• Walking the Seasons (monthly)
• Rich Picturing for Recovery (1 session)
• Trauma and the Brain (2 sessions)
• Let’s Talk Late Autism Diagnosis (2 sessions)
• Managing Everyday Costs (1 session)
• Understanding Health Anxiety (1 session)
• Embracing Solitude (1 session)
• Roll for Recovery: Winter Special (2 sessions)
• Cultivating Happiness (1 session)
• Introduction to Recovery (1 session)
• Coping with Christmas (1 session)
• Christmas Activity Day

To book on any of these courses, enrol as a student, or simply to find out more about what we offer, please get in touch with us via email at TEWV.recoverycollege@nhs.net, or give us a ring on (0191) 4510890 🙂

***Calling all Photographers!***ARCH will be producing a 2026 calendar featuring seasonal nature photos taken in and aro...
18/09/2025

***Calling all Photographers!***

ARCH will be producing a 2026 calendar featuring seasonal nature photos taken in and around the North East by ARCH students, staff, supporters and volunteers.

We want to see your photos taken across all four seasons. Send a variety of photos if possible, maximum ten entries per person, which will be put together into a collage like the accompanying image.

There will be a prize (just a bar of posh chocolate, but a prize nonetheless) for the best image. All contributers will receive a free copy of the completed calendar. Photos will only be used in the calendar and the copyright will of course be retained by the photographer.

Please send all images across to peter.swan5@nhs.net by the 31st of October.

Happy snapping!

Hi everyone, please see attached for info about a new women's group taking place on Monday evenings at Chester-le-Street...
11/09/2025

Hi everyone, please see attached for info about a new women's group taking place on Monday evenings at Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club :)

Address

St Margaret's Health Centre, Crossgate
Durham
DH14DS

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when ARCH Recovery College posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category