News

In December 2025, Camden & Islington Recovery College, part of North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT), proudly hosted a study visit for the Balkan Recovery College project. Supported by Erasmus+, this initiative aims to strengthen recovery-focused mental health education across the Western Balkans, with our college highlighted as an example of good practice. Ksenja Kadic, Manager of the Recovery College, shares this guest blog with us. 

Showcasing Recovery-Focused Education
The visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate how recovery education, peer-led learning, and co-production between professionals and people with lived experience are embedded in the NHS system at NLFT and across London. Delegates explored a range of community-based mental health services, including Inclusion Recovery College in Thurrock and the Wandsworth Integrated Recovery Hub at Southwest London and St George’s NHS Mental Health Trust. These experiences led to meaningful discussions about adapting these approaches to local contexts in the Balkans.

Learning and Collaboration in Action
During the programme, delegates attended our “How to Tell Your Recovery Story” course, which highlights the power of personal narratives in supporting recovery. They also visited the Early Intervention Team to learn about proactive and systemic approaches to preventative mental health care, and met Professor Fiona Nolan, who shared insights into NHS transformation priorities and the future of mental health services.

A visit to Camden Council introduced delegates to the Family Group Project, which helps families navigate care and access community support. Delegates engaged with Recovery College students, tutors, and service users, gaining first-hand perspectives on co-production and peer-led learning. Creative and inclusive spaces—from art-filled corridors to interactive classrooms—inspired practical strategies for embedding peer support roles, designing community-based educational models, and building strong partnerships between statutory and voluntary sectors. 

Impact and Looking Ahead
The insights gained from this visit will inform the development of Recovery Colleges in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia, ensuring that recovery education becomes a cornerstone of mental health support in the region.

“We are grateful to our partners for their openness, knowledge, and collaboration, and we look forward to translating these insights into practice in the region.”
– Balkan delegate

We are thankful to our Balkan partners for their openness and commitment to co-production. Their visit reinforces the importance of international collaboration in shaping mental health services that empower individuals and communities. The project is proudly supported by Erasmus+ European Union, and we look forward to seeing these learnings translated into practice across the Western Balkans. 

 

For more information or to connect with the Recovery College:
Camden & Islington Recovery College
North London NHS Foundation Trust
Tel: 020 3317 6904
Web: https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/recoverycollege
Email: nlft.recoverycollege@nhs.net
Recovery College Manager: Ksenija Kadic