Empowering Young Minds – Launch of the Recovery Academy Self-care Toolkit for Young People
The Recovery Academy is thrilled to introduce a brand-new digital resource: their online Self-care Toolkit for Young People.
This innovative toolkit has been co-developed by the Recovery Academy, young experts by experience, parent experts by experience, and CAMHS experts by profession, to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people, as well as the parents and caregivers who walk alongside them.
Co-created with Young People, for Young People
This dynamic and evolving resource is the result of the Recovery Academy’s ongoing collaboration with young people and the dedicated teams at Bolton CAMHS and Wigan CAMHS. Their insights, creativity, and lived experiences continue to shape the toolkit, ensuring it remains relevant, engaging, and impactful.
Young people take ownership of designing and creating content that reflects what has helped them in their own recovery. Their contributions—ranging from personal stories to practical advice— offer authentic support to other young people navigating similar challenges.
A Creative Virtual Noticeboard
Pam Womack, Digital Learning Resources Officer at the Recovery Academy and project lead, explains:
“The Recovery Academy strives to make our digital resources available to as many individuals as possible. We approached Bolton CAMHS and Wigan CAMHS with a view to collaborating with young people on designing and co-producing a Padlet (virtual noticeboard) they would find relevant to their needs.”
The Padlet-based toolkit is a vibrant, interactive virtual noticeboard that includes:
- Resources for parents and caregivers
- Support for young people experiencing mental health problems and difficult feelings
- Festival safety information
- Videos and podcasts on mental health and wellbeing
- Self-help worksheets for young people.
- And much more!
Real Voices, Real Impact
At the heart of this collaboration is a sense of value and validation. One young contributor shared:
“It has helped me build up my confidence and taught me a lot about my own mental wellbeing and how I can help others.”
Anne-Marie, a parent expert by experience who shared her personal insights on navigating a difficult time for her family, added:
“I just feel so passionate and privileged for the opportunity to help and tell families to never give up!”
Kajol Patel from the Bolton Mental Health Support Team also highlighted the importance of the toolkit:
“This Padlet will allow a central space for our young people to access support, particularly when they're waiting for interventions. There is so much power in these resources being chosen and created by young people, for young people. Many of our experts by experience are now involved in this project.”
Access the Toolkit
You can explore the Self-care Toolkit for Young People by clicking the link below:
https://padlet.com/recoveryacademy/a-self-care-toolkit-for-young-people-bugb6r46mie0mn2w
