Bring recovery to young people: the development of a “discovery college” in Ireland
Mental Health and Social Inclusion
ISSN: 2042-8308
Article publication date: 23 December 2021
Issue publication date: 21 April 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Discovery Colleges are new, exciting innovations. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of developing and implementing the first pilot of a Discovery College for young people in Ireland. This paper aims to assist in providing direction for future comparable projects.
Design/methodology/approach
The author takes a narrative approach to highlight the rationale for introducing the Discovery College model into an Irish context and to outline the project phases and participant feedback.
Findings
The pilot project is outlined and the key learnings are explained.
Originality/value
Recovery Education is a growing model both nationally and internationally, and this pilot was an innovative project, the first of its kind to bring Recovery Education to a younger audience in Ireland. This paper aims to assist in providing direction for future comparable projects.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The Discovery College wishes to acknowledge the following individuals and organisations who supported in the planning, development and implementation of the pilot programme.The author would first like to thank the people in the Roscommon and surrounding areas who volunteered, participated, co-produced and co-facilitated throughout the duration of the project, and without whom the Discovery College pilot would not have been possible.The Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) who provided funding for the project.Roscommon and East Galway Advancing Recovery in Ireland (REGARI) Recovery College who supported the project from the outset.The HSE for their generous support and for use of their facilities and materials.The Melting Pot, Roscommon who were joint partners in the development of the Discovery College pilot.The staff of Foróige, CAHMS, and JIGSAW who assisted in the development of the workshops.
Citation
Costello, C. (2022), "Bring recovery to young people: the development of a “discovery college” in Ireland", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 167-174. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-11-2021-0078
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited