Raw Recovery and Progression Sessions

The purpose of Raw Recovery is to support participants at the extreme intersections of severe mental health and socio-disadvantage into positive recovery, through the development of artistic skills and personal confidence. Particularly in the post-pandemic landscape, Raw Recovery will use music and media to increase connection and peer support amongst participants, providing inspiring and confidence-building opportunities and ultimately encouraging less reliance on mental health services.

Co-designed with SLaM Recovery College, the programme will allow both organisations to learn from each other, further honing their offerings and will allow Raw to connect with new participants who are experiencing severe mental ill-health.

Programmes designed to reach different groups

This new programme was developed after a period of review informed by the needs of and demand from participants. Gaps and opportunities were identified and Raw Recovery specifically designed to target different participant groups who are experiencing severe mental health issues including:

• a multidisciplinary summer intensive for young people, one-to-one tuition in vocals/songwriting, keyboard, drums and guitar
• poetry and music sessions targeting young Black men aged 16-30 who are experiencing or at risk of severe mental health issues in partnership with Hood Mentality
• tutor training extending on previous Continuing Professional Development offers, in the form of a self-directed individual bursary for tutors to undertake professional development opportunities in artist facilitation and mental health awareness.
• Songwriting for Women 40+: Targeting women over 40 experiencing serious ill mental health, sometimes relating to PND diagnoses or severe menopausal symptoms.