ARCH Recovery College

08/01/2026

We want YOUR photos!

We plan to get some A3 photos printed and framed to go up around the college to make things a bit more homely and welcoming for students.

We are specifically looking for photos taking in and around Durham and the wider North East - this might be of the cathedral, landscapes, wildlife (e.g. birds, flowers), townscapes, etc.

If you'd like your photo to be included send 2-3 images to peter.swan5@nhs.net. Please sent the highest resolution image possible for printing purposes :)

We plan to have the printing finalised by early February so please send any images as soon as possible

08/01/2026

In view of weather forecast overnight and tomorrow, 09/01/2026, the following sessions have been cancelled:

Photography Walk
Mind, Body and Spirit
Walking the Seasons

08/01/2026

Hi everyone,

Tomorrow's 'Walking the Seasons' mindful walk at the botanics is cancelled because of the weather - it will, however be restarting in February, where hopefully we will start to see some signs of spring emerging :)

07/01/2026

Due to ongoing icy conditions on footpaths in Durham, we’ve decided to cancel ARCH Thursday walking group tomorrow, 8th Jan, in the interest of everyone’s safety. Will run next week, weather permitting 🥶

24/12/2025

For a large number of us, Christmas can be a challenging time of the year. People who live alone can experience loneliness over the festive period, while others may feel obliged to socialise with challenging family members. Others find Christmas to be a strain on their finances; may find the loss of routine to be difficult; and may experience a considerable ‘mental load’ as a result of all the preparations and having to meet people’s expectations.

Last week at ARCH we ran a ‘Coping with Christmas’ workshop which looked at some of the common challenges that Christmas may bring, and discussed some of the strategies we might adopt to make Christmas easier. Keeping busy (either through going for walks or engaging with hobbies and interests) was seen as being useful by several attendees. Others emphasised the importance of self-care and self-compassion, believing that ‘me time’ was necessary to recharge mental batteries.

Below is a list of useful contacts if you are finding things difficult:
- Text the word CALMER to 85258 to start a free, anonymous and confidential text conversation with mental health professionals at Shout.
- Visit https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/about/campaigns-and-programmes/youmatter/ for various ways to get support for your mental health.
- If you want to talk to someone about how you feel, try one of these free helplines: Samaritans: phone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. Open 24 hours a day, every day. SANEline: 0300 304 7000. Open 4pm – 10pm, every day. Careline: 0845 122 8622. Open 10am-1pm and 7pm-10pm, Monday – Friday. MIND: 0845 766 0163. Open 9am-5pm, Monday – Friday.
- If you need urgent help with your mental health call NHS 111 and press option 2 for urgent mental health support (free and available 24/7). You will speak to a mental health professional who will help you find the right support.

Co-created with people with lived experience of mental health challenges, You Matter offers tools and resources to help you get the mental health support you deserve.

20/12/2025

Thursday's Christmas activity day was a great success, with staff, students and volunteers enjoying a festive walk, Christmas food, crafts, and a singalong.

We are now closed for Christmas, reopening the week commencing the 5th of January. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays from all at ARCH - see you in the New Year :)

18/12/2025

We're all set up for the ARCH Christmas Activity Day - do come down and say hello and enjoy some Christmas crafts and nibbles :)

10:30am to 12:30pm - we will have our walk up to the Cathedral to see the Christmas tree.

12:30pm - 1:30pm - lunch - come and join us for some Christmas nibbles.

1:30pm - 3:30pm - afternoon session - quiz, Christmas crafts, festive tunes.

Hope to see you there - you can pop in for as little or as long as you want :)

16/12/2025

Hi everyone, the ARCH calendar has been printed and looks fantastic! If you'd like a copy, just pop into the college at some point this week to collect one.

04/12/2025

Last Friday students at ARCH Recovery College visited Beamish Open-Air museum as part of the weekly photography walks. In spite of the weather, everyone had a great time. We will get a chance to visit again in late spring/early summer.

Our photography walks take place every Friday at 10:30am, alternating between a Durham-based walk one week, and a walk in the wider area the next. To find out more, please get in touch with us by email at TEWV.recoverycollege@nhs.net, or give us a ring on (0191) 4510890 🙂

03/12/2025

Hi everyone, just a reminder that tomorrow is our monthly drop-in enrolment morning for anyone who is interested in signing up to ARCH as a student, or simply if you'd like to find out more about what we offer :)

02/12/2025

Hi everyone, on the 17th of December we will be running another Coffee, Cake & Conversation session which wasn't included in the monthly timetable - please see below for details:

Coffee, Cake & Conversation: Wednesday 17th December
1:30-3:30pm

Theme – ‘Share your interests’

In this month’s coffee, cake and conversation, we will get the opportunity to talk about our hobbies and interests – the things that we are passionate about. Whether it is photography, art, cooking, hiking, knitting, volunteering, participating in sport, travelling, gaming – we will each get the opportunity to share this with the group. As usual, there will be freshly-brewed coffee (decaf is also available) and cake/biscuits.

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

27/11/2025

Earlier today the ARCH walkers enjoyed a visit along the riverbanks to the Cathedral where they enjoyed refreshments.

We run three different walking groups through ARCH - a gentle walk on Monday mornings that meets at Chester-le-Street, a wellbeing walk that meets every Thursday morning in Durham, and a photography walk on Friday morning that alternates between a Durham-based walk, and a walk at a location in the wider county.

You'd be very welcome to come along on one of our walks - please get in touch with us at TEWV.recoverycollege@nhs.net, or give us a ring on (0191) 4510890 🙂