Recovery values and practice are the driving force which underpins all aspects of service delivery at Network for Change. Within a mental health context Recovery is not limited to clinical recovery i.e. being permanently symptom-free, but offers a dynamic new vision for services which offers real hope to everyone.

The Recovery movement originated with the experiences of service users themselves and recognition that their expertise rather than professional interventions could best inform ways of achieving and maintaining ‘wellness'.

Individual's narratives or life stories frequently tell of how their mental health problems have been triggered by adverse life experiences or trauma and how they have overcome these to get their lives ‘back on track'. People who find themselves labelled ‘mentally ill' frequently face stigma and discrimination and feel helpless and hopeless about their lives. Recovery approaches can be inspirational in providing opportunity for people who have ‘been there, done that' and moved on with their lives to support and share ideas and coping strategies with others.
Recovery also acknowledges that access to good relationships where individuals feel valued and listened to, and their own understanding of their distress and experiences is validated, often proves a turning point in people's lives. Therefore, we place the need to build positive, trusting therapeutic relationships at the heart of our working practice. We aim to provide a level and style of support which meets the needs of the individual, focuses on the whole person rather than any diagnostic assumptions and enables social inclusion. The organisation remains concerned about the over-reliance on drug treatment ‘solutions' to mental distress and believe these can never provide a cure in themselves.

Treating clients with dignity, respect and compassion at all times, and encouraging self-responsibility as empowering of self-esteem is also integral to our values and practice.

Network's Code Of Practice, containing info on: values & practice principles; vision mission & aims; positive working relationships; positive outcomes; challenging stigma & promoting equality; supporting personal recovery can be downloaded below as can our latest Annual Report and General information booklet.