BSW Recovery Cafés – a gentle first step to wellbeing
Trying something new can feel daunting, particularly when it means joining a group or attending a course for the first time. BSW Recovery Cafés offer a relaxed way to find out more about what the BSW Recovery College has to offer, meet tutors and other learners, and get a feel for what attending a class might be like.
Making connections
Held regularly in local community venues in Bath, Swindon and Chippenham, our Recovery Cafés are relaxed spaces where people can chat and connect with tutors and other learners. They take place[JE1] after our free college sessions – but you can come along to the café without booking onto a course. Each café has its own focus, from understanding stress responses and building inner strength, to exploring emotional awareness and self-soothing techniques linked to our most popular courses. The idea is to get a feel for what’s on offer.
Melanie Williams, one of our Recovery College tutors, explains why the cafés matter so much:
“Recovery Cafés provide a gentle introduction to learning for people on their wellbeing journeys. They are a safe and supportive place where people can build confidence, develop new skills, and take positive steps in their learning. They are also an opportunity to spend time with other people who are on a similar path as you.”
What our learners say
We recently popped in to our Chippenham Recovery Café and spoke to Sarah and Oscar – two of our learners. In this video they share their personal experiences of attending the cafés and reflect on the positive impact they have had on their mental health and wellbeing.
A welcoming place to start
While our BSW Recovery Cafés are a recent addition, the idea behind them is far from new. We have over ten years’ experience of running cafés like these alongside our Wellbeing Colleges, and in that time, they’ve helped hundreds of people take their first step towards enrolling on a course or workshop.
For someone who is unsure what to expect, nervous about joining a group or simply curious about what is on offer, meeting a tutor or talking to someone who has already taken part can make a real difference. For some people, this can help build the confidence to take the next step and join a course or workshop.
The cafés are organised through our Colleges, which offer a range of free courses and workshops designed to help you learn, connect and grow – meeting people and developing new skills to support your wellbeing.
Come along and find out more
Whether you want to meet a tutor, find out what a course is like or simply come along for a chat, click here to find out more and your book a place *.
* Booking is required