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Abstract

Introduction
The Covid-19 restrictions of 2020-1 are known to have undermined UK population mental health. Working alongside staff, peer trainers, and students at [RecoveryCollegeName] ([RCName]), a Recovery College (RC) in [RecoveryCollegeLocation], this mixed-methods study is amongst the first to investigate how a RC has responded to the pandemic.

Methods
Working in co-production with [RCName] staff and peer-trainers, this study employed a mixed-methods design, gathering WEMWBS wellbeing outcome measures by questionnaire, and student experience, learning, and co-production by interviews.

Findings
This research found that [RCName] continued to produce demonstrable improvements in student mental health. Students welcomed the way that [RCName] adapted to offering online and socially-distanced provision. Students valued the skills that [RCName] taught and way that [RCName] courses reinforced prior learning; above this, however, they valued the mutual support and sense of community which participation provided.

Conclusion
This study underlines the value of RCs maintaining “hidden curriculums” of peer support and community involvement. This research emphasises co-production as not only a tool for empowerment or service improvement, but as a valuable skill for personal mental health recovery. Even when operating under the most unforeseen or challenging of conditions, RCs should always endeavour to prioritise and to maintain co-production.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2022 The Authors. Health Expectations published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Nursing
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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