Learning as a tool for
wellbeing & personal growth
WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning)
Some people use WRAP to help manage their mental health on a daily basis; it helps you identify the 'wellness tools' that work best to help you feel better and also develop support networks to promote confidence, resourcefulness and self-management as well as identify personal triggers that can lead to ill health. To attend a WRAP course you self-register through the Recovery College and once completed you are free to join a community WRAP Support group in your area if you feel it would be helpful; the support groups are a voluntary option created and led by Service user Facilitators.
Formal education & Vocational/Recreational Learning
Local colleges offer a wide range of courses and classes
Click HERE for The Southern Regional College
which has Campuses in Armagh, Banbridge, Kilkeel, Lurgan, Newry & Portadown
Prospectus details vary but there are sometimes FREE classes
especially in areas such as Basic English, Maths or IT skills.
A search online will also guide you to learning opportunities via correspondence courses which can be completed from home at your own pace and fitted around your personal health issues or time commitments
Open University courses can also be completed in a personalised way
Did you know?
You can even do some individual modules and personal development stuff
Most Community/Leisure centres and Places of Worship either run classes and workshops or advertise them and you could also check out the local newspaper for opportunities. Learning is a great way to boost and maintain your mental health and using that training to then get actively involved in your community as a volunteer or even a trainer yourself is empowering and worthwhile. You are never too old and there is always something ideally suited to your personal circumstances.
Promoting Wellbeing Team Courses
Our Trust offers a regular calendar of FREE training courses on a vast range of subjects that not only educate but empower people to take their new skills out into the community and help others. Examples would be things like learning to be a Walking or Cycling group leader, Facilitator in Healthy eating or Cooking sessions, training in Mental Health First Aid or ASIST (Applied suicide intervention skills training), Child protection, or even something like 'Stop smoking' or Mindfulness skills. There is a simple application process and some courses carry certain criteria; places are limited in each session but they are repeated in cycle with new stuff coming along with each new brochure - the Promoting wellbeing team seeks to build skills and capacity of others to promote health and wellbeing.
Course dates will appear on our Forum Calendar as they become available to us or you can contact your local team direct for more information.
Armagh/Dungannon (028) 37412521
Craigavon/Banbridge (028) 38344973
Newry&Mourne (028) 30834325
U3A - University of the third age
An international organisation with local groups each offering education and stimulation to those in the 'third' stage of life - when perhaps parental responsibilities and full time employment etc have come to an end. Anyone can join and no qualifications are required. Fees are kept to a minimum and each member has the opportunity to share their own skills knowledge and passions with the group. U3A is all about the joy of learning. The link below will take you to the main site and from there you can search for active groups in your area.
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