The ‘Better Than Well’ programme was established in 2021. It is led by Dr Ed Day from the Institute for Mental Health in the School of Psychology, supported by a philanthropic grant from the CrEdo Foundation, and managed by Programme Leader, Luke Trainor. The programme was granted university space to use for meetings and, provided with access to internal comms, and was later able to open dedicated housing for students in recovery. Better Than Well also provides support with the admissions process, early orientation, and the training of peer-mentors to address both recovery and educational issues.
Join Us
By joining Collegiate Recovery UK, for free, you will immediately have access to a brand new Toolkit and extensive knowledge hub of guidance and step-by-step information for setting up a Collegiate Recovery Programme.
The Toolkit has been created by academics and recovery professionals from all over the world, in order to best support the growth of CRP’s across UK higher education.
The Knowledge Hub contains a comprehensive, UK-specific version of a long-established CRP curriculum in the US.
Together, this provides you with all the essential information you will need to plan, setup, and evaluate the success of a CRP on campus.
Are you a student or part of a student union?
The Collegiate Recovery UK Toolkit and Knowledge Hub provides key information on approaching decision makers on campus, raising awareness of the Programme, and building connections.
Are you a faculty member, academic, or university director?
The Collegiate Recovery UK Toolkit and Knowledge Hub provides key information on how to identify the needs of students in recovery, establish how many are on your campus, and the forms of support they may need.
Do you work in student support, admin, or wellbeing services?
The Collegiate Recovery UK Toolkit and Knowledge Hub provides key information on how a CRP supports students in recovery from addiction, campus resources a CRP may need, and how to refer students into the programme.
Are you interested in Collegiate Recovery Programmes but not currently linked to a higher education institution?
The Collegiate Recovery UK Toolkit and Knowledge Hub is designed to support anyone who wishes to learn more about CRPs, or approach a higher education institution in setting one up on campus.
Case Studies of existing Collegiate Recovery Programmes in the UK
The University of Birmingham
Features: Grant funded. Managed internally. Recovery friendly housing. Dedicated Programme Manager on site.
Teesside University
First established in 2017, the University of Teesside has had a Students in Recovery Lead on site, COVID aside, ever since. An employee of local Lived Experience Recovery Organisation, Recovery Connections, has coordinated Recovery groups, worked with students 1-2-1, delivered presentations to relevant faculties, and taken part in the University’s regular programme of Health & Wellbeing events. Using the framework of the Texas Tech Collegiate Recovery Communities Curriculum (now available in a UK format, with your registration to this website), the growth of the CRP has seen it become more visible on campus as each academic year goes by.
Features: Coordinated via external charity. University space available each week. Visible presence on campus.
The University of Sunderland
The University of Sunderland became the first UK university to sign the Recovery Friendly University Pledge in 2022. Officially announced as part of the university’s fourth annual Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference, the university has since integrated the CRP within its own wellbeing services. A dedicated Lived Experience Education and Training Coach, from regional charity Recovery Connections works across both Sunderland City campuses each week. Using dedicated university space, and able to advertise the support within the university, the local Recovery Community have timetabled activities for both students and staff throughout the academic year.
Features: Support on multiple campuses. Coordinated both internally and externally. Member of staff from external service employed to work on campus.
Professionals from the following organisations contributed to this project
