Enquire Now

Learning.

Insights.

From.

Everyone

Helping people learn new positive ways to deal with the stresses of life, understand themselves better and find purpose.
Submit an Expression of Interest
View Courses
Watch Video
Play Video

What is NT LIFE?

NT LIFE is the Recovery College for North Tyneside

Helping people learn new positive ways to deal with the stresses of life, understand themselves better and find purpose.

Recovery Colleges offer educational courses about mental health and recovery, which are designed to increase students’ knowledge and skills and to help them feel more confident in the self-management of their own health and wellbeing.

 

Delivered in a safe and friendly community setting, courses and workshops are co-produced and designed by individuals who have lived experience of challenges with their own mental health, and who want to pass on their LIFE learning, skills and knowledge to help others. Read on to find out how to get involved!

Free Courses

All our Courses and Workshops are completely Free to attend.

No Referral Needed

Anyone over 18+ and a Resident in North Tyneside can access our services.

Co-Produced

Our courses are designed and delivered by people with lived experience.

Volunteers

Volunteers are at the heart of NT LIFE. Share your skills, experiences, and time to support others on their journey.

Learn More

Students

Enrolling as a student is simple, free, and open to anyone over 18 living in North Tyneside. No referral is needed.

Learn More

Courses

All our Courses and Workshops are completely Free to attend.

See Prospectus

Resources

Helpful resources and downloadable materials to support your wellbeing journey.

Learn More

Crisis Support

If you are worried about your mental health, or someone else’s, these services are available now.

Learn More

As a Student

NT LIFE welcomes people with lived experience of mental health challenges, their families, and/or carers and those who work in the mental health field.

All sessions are co-produced by individuals who have lived experience of challenges with their own mental health (experts by experience), carers and trusted research literature and resources.

The perspective of a person with lived experience gives them a unique insight and empathy with fellow participants


We would love for you to engage with us in any of the following:

  • Enrol
  • Sign up for activities, groups, courses, workshops
  • Share your thoughts on what would help you engage with us
  • Give us ideas of where you would look for information for mental health support
  • Tell us how we can eliminate barriers for you to help you access the college
  •  

The inclusive nature of the college means that students and volunteers:

  • Require no educational qualifications
  • Get to choose their own courses.
  • Courses are free of charge
  • Open to all North Tyneside Residents 18 yrs +
  • Participation is valued

As a Volenteer

As part of NT LIFE’s commitment to people’s recovery and wellbeing, we aim to encourage and develop our students to volunteer in the growing programme we offer. In 2023 we partnered with Northumbria and Sunderland Universities by providing placements for Occupational Therapy and Teaching students, who volunteered with us. Julie and Jess, part of our current staff team, were both volunteers prior to their employment. Proving there are many benefits to volunteering including but not exclusive to:

  • Gain confidence
  • Make a difference
  • Meet new people
  • Make new friends
  • Be part of a community
  • Learn new skills
  • Take on a challenge
  • Find a purpose
  • Have FUN!

     

NT LIFE is developing a number of opportunities to help people: increase their knowledge, skills and experience, helping them to achieve their goals. Volunteer roles are flexible and include a variety of experiences:

  • Administrative
  • Peer support 
  • Facilitator and Co-Facilitator roles
  • Course Development
  • Practical contribution e.g. making stuff to share within our wider community

Training, support and agreed expenses are available. Please note, some roles will require DBS checks.

[Refister your interest]

Life at NT LIFE

Interested?

To register your interest, please complete the Expression of Interest Form below.

You will then be contacted by a member of the team to arrange a one-to-one session, either by phone, in person or via Zoom. This will be used to discuss your interests, needs and to enrol you on to the courses and workshops of your choice. Follow the link on the right to see our latest prospectus, then use the form below to tell us more.

We look forward to meeting you and beginning your NT LIFE journey!

You will receive a confirmation email once you have submitted this form. Please check your junk folder if you do not receive your confirmation email.

By submitting this form you consent to VODA processing your information in order to allow us to provide you with further information about Recovery College services. Read our full Privacy Statement here.

News at NT LIFE

Driving Gnome for Christmas – A Sector Connector and NT LIFE Collaboration

Driving Gnome for Christmas – A Sector Connector and NT LIFE Collaboration

Sector Connector has coordinated a creative festive volunteering project that brought three organisations together in support of NT LIFE, North…
Read More
NT LIFE Update: A New Chapter Begins

NT LIFE Update: A New Chapter Begins

We’re proud to share some fantastic news from NT LIFE Recovery College – with guidance and support from VODA, we’ve…
Read More
NT LIFE Recovery College Wellbeing Session with Independent Advocacy North East (IANE)

NT LIFE Recovery College Wellbeing Session with Independent Advocacy North East (IANE)

NT LIFE Recovery College Wellbeing Session with Independent Advocacy North East (IANE) – 11th September 2024 by Ali Donkin I…
Read More
Case Study: Peer Supporter Hannah

Case Study: Peer Supporter Hannah

Read on to learn how peer supporter Hannah co-created NT LIFE’s new Neuro-divergence Group… As a peer supporter, the idea…
Read More
Exciting start to NT LIFE Recovery College's fifth year of deliveries

Exciting start to NT LIFE Recovery College's fifth year of deliveries

As September 2023 approaches, we recognise the growth we have made since our inception in 2019, with only one staff…
Read More
Howay the Lads!

Howay the Lads!

Howay the Lads! Would you like to co-design and co-create a Men’s Mental Health Group or simply be involved? Men’s…
Read More
View All Blogs

What People SAY

“It has given me a better understanding of one of my conditions.”
“It has given me a better understanding of one of my conditions.”A Little Bit OCD
“Being on this course provided me with skills to use when I feel anxious. Also being around others who have similar problems really helped me feel I wasn't the only one going through this.”
“Being on this course provided me with skills to use when I feel anxious. Also being around others who have similar problems really helped me feel I wasn't the only one going through this.”Anxiety Awareness
“Being on this course provided me with skills to use when I feel anxious. Also being around others who have similar problems really helped me feel I wasn't the only one going through this.”
“Being on this course provided me with skills to use when I feel anxious. Also being around others who have similar problems really helped me feel I wasn't the only one going through this.”Anxiety Awareness
“Helped me to find ways that worked for with my mental health needs.”
“Helped me to find ways that worked for with my mental health needs.”Anxiety Awareness
“NT life is like a lifeline to me. Without it I would struggle to cope. Ali and her team have lived experience and it shows in how they facilitate the sessions. Thank you Ali and the team.”
“NT life is like a lifeline to me. Without it I would struggle to cope. Ali and her team have lived experience and it shows in how they facilitate the sessions. Thank you Ali and the team.” Anxiety Awareness
“Jess is very good at putting this course across. I’m feeling more relaxed and confident.”
“Jess is very good at putting this course across. I’m feeling more relaxed and confident.”The Art of Feeling
“It's provided me with inclusion to a lovely group of women; Jess is always completely helpful & encouraging, so I don't feel that I'm left alone to struggle with any challenges; the mood is light & cheerful, which makes a big difference”
“It's provided me with inclusion to a lovely group of women; Jess is always completely helpful & encouraging, so I don't feel that I'm left alone to struggle with any challenges; the mood is light & cheerful, which makes a big difference”The Art of Feeling
“Help me give time to myself and meet people. I found let me do things at my own pace and start to interact with more with people.”
“Help me give time to myself and meet people. I found let me do things at my own pace and start to interact with more with people.”Mindful Makers (Craft Group)
“It has helped my mental health by having time for me for a change, I wasn’t sure what to expect at first. Everyone was welcoming and I found the group both relaxing and therapeutic. Thank you”
“It has helped my mental health by having time for me for a change, I wasn’t sure what to expect at first. Everyone was welcoming and I found the group both relaxing and therapeutic. Thank you”Mindful Makers (Craft Group)
“I'm currently very isolated and short of reasons to leave the house. The course has been fun and allowed me to meet people in an undemanding way. The course was very short so we only had chance to do one craft and I haven't managed to learn anyone’s name yet.(I am face blind so that is always an issue on short courses.) I would need to attend the course over several terms to get the most out of it.”
“I'm currently very isolated and short of reasons to leave the house. The course has been fun and allowed me to meet people in an undemanding way. The course was very short so we only had chance to do one craft and I haven't managed to learn anyone’s name yet.(I am face blind so that is always an issue on short courses.) I would need to attend the course over several terms to get the most out of it.”Mindful Makers (Craft Group)
“helped me develop skills to control my anxiety”
“helped me develop skills to control my anxiety” DBT Skills
“The course really helped me understand myself and my emotions more clearly. I’ve learned ways to calm myself down when I’m feeling overwhelmed and to look at things with more kindness instead of being so hard on myself. It’s given me confidence to handle things that used to feel too much, and I feel more hopeful and in control of my mental health now.”
“The course really helped me understand myself and my emotions more clearly. I’ve learned ways to calm myself down when I’m feeling overwhelmed and to look at things with more kindness instead of being so hard on myself. It’s given me confidence to handle things that used to feel too much, and I feel more hopeful and in control of my mental health now.”Emotional Recovery Tool Kit

Expression of Interest Form

Referral and Self-referrals are accepted

We are currently reviewing our onboarding process. This means there may be a delay in responding to your submission. We aim to deal with your submission within 2 weeks, if you haven't heard from us within 2 weeks please email: ali.donkin@voda.org.uk Your cooperation is appreciated

Please note we are a service for adults over 18yrs
I'm interested in: