Organisational variation in Recovery College implementation: 31-college qualitative study

By 2021, we found that 88 Recovery Colleges were operating in England. Recovery Colleges adhere to shared principles including adult education and co-production, but are also heterogeneous, varying in the populations they serve, their sources of funding and access to resources. Previous research has not explored the organisational factors that influence the set-up of Recovery Colleges, nor the factors which facilitate or pose challenges to their sustainable operation.

To identify how Recovery Colleges vary in their operation and to ascertain how organisational factors facilitate or hinder the set-up, running and sustainability of English Recovery Colleges.

Semi-structured interviews with 31 Recovery College managers across England were analysed using framework analysis.

Four themes were identified: Recovery College pioneers; Adapting to the local context; Degree of autonomy within the National Health Service; and Ongoing organisational work. Colleges were commonly established by key individuals from diverse backgrounds, leveraging their organisational positions and lived experience to facilitate implementation. Colleges were adapted to fit local contexts, shaped by factors including existing services, regional demographics and community resources. Colleges varied in their relations with key funders, with some operating comparatively autonomously and others tied closely to their 'parent' organisations. Sustaining college operations involved ongoing organisational work to respond to changing pressures.

Recovery Colleges exhibit consistent values and aims oriented around supporting recovery through education and co-production but are diverse in their operation. These colleges are highly complex interventions, and their sustainability requires organisational agility to manage competing pressures.