Call for Workshop Proposals for the Peer Rise Recovery College
Peer Rise Recovery College (BCMHSUS) is inviting people with lived and living experience to co-design and/or co-facilitate recovery-oriented courses for individuals connected to Heartwood Centre for Women and/or the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital.
We are looking for creative, meaningful course ideas that support connection, learning, hope, recovery, and transitions to community.
For more information about Peer Rise Recover College, check out these videos.
Who Can Apply?
We welcome proposals from people (18+) who have:
- Lived or living experience with mental health and/or substance use
- Experience connected to forensic mental health, corrections, or BCMHSUS services
- Experience as a family member, supporter, or caregiver
We strongly encourage Indigenous applicants and Indigenous-led course proposals.
You do not need formal teaching or facilitation experience, and your idea does not need to be fully developed.
What is a Recovery College Course?
Recovery College courses are peer-led learning experiences (not therapy or clinical treatment) that:
- Focus on shared learning and personal recovery
- Build skills, knowledge, and confidence
- Promote connection and community
- May be offered as a one-time workshop, multi-week course or drop-in program
What Kind of Course Ideas Are We Looking For?
We’re interested in a wide range of topics that support wellbeing, recovery, and transition back into community.
Examples include:
- Creative expression (writing, art, music)
- Practical or life skills (communication, boundaries, routines)
- Wellness and coping strategies (yoga, managing anxiety, grounding)
- Hands-on or recreational activities (crafting, movement, nature)
- Connection and identity-focused learning
Courses can be creative, practical, social, educational—or a blend.
We are not looking for clinical treatment programs or therapy-based groups.
Why Submit a Proposal?
If your course idea is selected, you will receive support to bring it to life, including:
- Paid peer facilitator training
- Mentorship and guidance
- Support to develop and structure your course
- Help with materials, logistics, and delivery
- Opportunity to co-design and/or co-facilitate
Our Approach
Peer Rise Recovery College is grounded in:
- Peer leadership and lived experience
- Hope, connection, and recovery
- Shared learning
- Cultural safety and humility
- A commitment to addressing Indigenous-specific racism
Important to Know
- Your idea can be fully developed or just an initial concept
- You can choose to co-design, co-facilitate, or both
- Courses are offered in-person at a BCMHSUS facility and may continue virtually after discharge to support transitions in care
How to Apply
Whether you have a full course plan or just the seed of an idea, we invite you to share what has helped you — so others can learn, connect, and recover.
Submit your idea through our application form:
In your application, you’ll be asked about:
- Your course idea
- What participants might learn
- Who the course is for
- How your lived/living experience shapes your idea
Applications are due on August 7, 2026 at 5 pm. There will be more opportunities to submit a course idea in future!
How Are Courses Selected?
Course proposals are reviewed and selected by the course selection committee, which includes people with lived/living experience of mental health, substance use, and/or justice system involvement, as well as clinical and Indigenous leadership.
Course selection is guided by whether courses:
- Support recovery (build skills, confidence, connection, and hope)
- Can be delivered as peer-led, non-clinical learning
- Respond to community needs
Courses are prioritized if they:
- Include Indigenous perspectives and support Indigenous-led approaches
- Promote Indigenous-specific anti-racism learning
- Help reduce toxic drug events
- Meet the needs of equity-deserving groups
We are grateful for the time and care that goes into each proposal. We will follow up with all applicants to share the outcome and offer feedback to support future submissions.
Questions or Support
We’re happy to support you in thinking through your idea.
You can reach out to us at:
Email: recoverycollege@phsa.ca
