Health column: Places are now available on five new well-being courses

People across Wigan are being encouraged to take advantage of a wide range of free mental health and well-being courses happening this autumn/winter.

The Recovery Academy, part of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH), has unveiled more than 60 courses and a host of new digital resources designed to support people to improve their well-being, build confidence and learn practical skills to help navigate life's challenges.

Open to everyone, the Recovery Academy is free to join and welcomes members of the public, people experiencing mental health or addiction difficulties, their families, friends and carers, as well as healthcare professionals and staff from other organisations.

Recognised nationally as a flagship Recovery College, the Academy brings together people with professional expertise and those with lived experience of mental health challenges to create a unique learning environment focused on recovery, well-being and shared learning.

This year's autumn/winter programme has been shaped by feedback from students and communities across Greater Manchester.

Amy Lawrence, team manager for the Recovery Academy, said: “We are proud to launch our new programme this October, the same month as World Mental Health Day 2026. This year’s theme was Real Voices, Real Change which wholeheartedly reflects our Recovery Academy ethos.  All our courses are co-produced and co-delivered with experts by experience, people who have real, lived experience in the topics we cover.

"We spent the last term getting out into the community and listening to what our students want to see on offer, as well as gathering feedback on how we can make courses and resources more accessible.

"We are delighted that our new programme includes five new courses alongside a wealth of new digital resources designed to help people learn, connect and support their well-being."

The new courses launching this term are:

• Let's Talk About Menopause
• Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorde
• Understanding and Talking about ADHD
• Talking about Trauma and Psychosis
• The Joy Workshop

These brand-new sessions, alongside many more tried and tested favourites, will be taking place in person at community venues across Greater Manchester, including Wigan, this autumn/winter.

Do you have difficulty sleeping or know someone who does? Why not register for the Overcoming Sleep Problems course, taking place on January 4, 2027 at Wigan Pavilion in Bull Hey.

Or, for those who prefer to learn online, this term features an expanded programme of online courses too, covering topics such as Building Self-Esteem and Developing Assertiveness Skills.

Alongside the courses, students can access a growing range of digital resources, including:

• Self-help materials in areas such as neurodiversity and parenting a child with mental health difficulties.
• A media hub featuring podcasts, videos and audio to help relax, support, inform or inspire.
• E-learning designed to help people feel more confident talking about mental health and well-being.

To browse the full programme and book your place today, visit the Recovery Academy website on recoveryacademy.gmmh.nhs.uk.

Or you can contact the Recovery Academy team directly via email, recoveryacademy.gmmh.nhs.uk or telephone 0161 358 1771.