Opportunities Programme

Our Opportunities programme provides safe, flexible and inclusive ways for people to nurture their personal wellbeing and development, breaking down stigma and isolation and supporting recovery through involvement in learning.

The programme offers a wide range of therapeutic and skills-based activities, from sport and health activities to arts and crafts, gardening and food growing, as well as social and wellbeing events, peer-led IT workshops, motivational training and employability support.

In 2017-18, 453 clients attended at least one activity from the programme. 

A recent survey of people who had taken part in the programme revealed the breadth of their interests and aspirations together with the wealth of inner resources or ‘recovery capital’ many of them already had.  The vast majority saw finding a job as a key long term goal, with 76 per cent saying they wanted to secure paid employment.

A turning point

As well as preparing people for the world of work, the sessions help clients to better engage with services, form relationships, learn to work as part of a team, and develop a sense of meaning and purpose.

The effect can be transformative. We see people making huge strides in their recovery journey, tapping into their strengths and talents and emerging with a renewed sense of hope and confidence. Many clients describe joining the programme as a turning point which helped reignite their "spark”.  Some say it was the single most important factor in their recovery.