Toward a new way of relating: An evaluation of recovery training delivered jointly to service users and staff

Aim
This paper explores an innovative approach to Recovery training in which the medium of delivery – as much as the actual content of what was delivered – challenged the conventional construction of professional relationships. Methodology
In this pilot, practitioners undertook the training alongside service users with whom they normally worked. Qualitative interviews were conducted 6 months post training with a sample of four staff participants.
Findings
The thematic analysis of the interviews demonstrated that this approach could be a powerful experience that brought about lasting changes in working relationships and professional identities. Particular themes that emerged included challenging power relationships and the value of the trainers disclosing their own lived experience and recovery narratives in creating a ‘safe space’ for collaborative learning.
Implications for future practice
This approach demonstrated the potential to be transformative for staff and their relationships with service users, although care may need to be exercised when offering it to staff with little prior exposure to recovery-oriented practice.