Hello All,

My name is Chloe Costello, and I am the Peer Educator of REGARI Discovery College based in Roscommon Town. In 2014, I was awarded my degree in Psychology and subsequently received my masters in Health Psychology in 2015. Since then I have worked in various mental health organisations with my most recent post being that of an Assistant Psychologist in a Primary Care service.

I first joined REGARI Recovery College in 2017 as a volunteer Co-Producer and Co-Facilitator and from there I went on to become a Peer Educator and led on the implementation of Ireland’s first Recovery Education initiative for young people, The Discovery College. I believe the importance of education in the prevention and early intervention of mental health and recovery cannot be understated and, in the Discovery College, we aim to equip young people with the necessary knowledge and skills to take control of their wellbeing. My passion for the work we do in the Recovery College is underpinned by not only the key principles and ethos of the Recovery Model but also by the people who I work alongside every day. I have been very lucky to share my work with the inspirational people that make up the REGARI team and am so grateful to all the wonderful Co-Producers, Co-Facilitators, and Students that I have worked alongside over the years. I am excited to see what the future holds for this new venture.

Let the beauty of what you love, be what you do!

Warm wishes,

Chloe

My name is Noel Hoare and I started as a Recovery Education Facilitator with REGARI Recovery College in Roscommon town in December 2022, having previously volunteered here.

I trained in co-delivering and co-facilitating workshops relating to mental health topics with Advancing Recovery Ireland in 2018, now known as Mental Health Engagement and Recovery.  I have also completed studies at Dublin City University in Peer Support Working in mental Health and Trauma Informed Practice and I recently completed training in seminars 1 and 2 of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).

I am a native of Roscommon town and have always been interested in mental health and well-being and I have a lot of lived experience through supporting people I know who experienced mental health challenges.  I have supported a number of local and national charities that help people with their mental health and well-being through accessing services and supports. 

My hobbies/interests include farming, walking, biodiversity, history, archaeology, gardening, sky boxing, music and reading. In fact I believe that music is the universal language! I am also passionate about complimentary medicine and use it to support my mental health and well-being.

Hi all,

My name is Dermot Flatley. I recently started working with the   REGARI recovery college in Roscommon Town in September 2021, as a Recovery Education Facilitator. I am also currently working  towards a Masters in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy at the Tivoli Institute in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. 

I have always been passionate about the area of mental health and wellness, specifically since I have had my own lived experience of mental health challenges. I have been on that recovery journey for many years now. I have found the recovery journey to be a very unique, and ongoing experience, and not an end goal. Once you start that journey which is not linear, while there will inevitable be dips here and there, the overall direction is up not down. Had I the insight, knowledge and connection provided by recovery education sooner in my life, then my own recovery journey might have started earlier and been easier. 

Through the collaborative nature of our workshops and modules here at REGARI, I am grateful to be part of a team responsible for promoting mental health education, reducing stigma and helping to normalise the conversation around mental health. REGARI supports people who might be struggling or needing connection to build their own tools and resourcefulness, in an environment that is safe and supportive. It is a great privilege to work with others who share that same vision. I believe the transformative learning and empowerment that comes from peer to peer shared experience is vitally important to that recovery journey. 

Kind regards,

Dermot 

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My name is Julie, and I am happy to be a new Facilitator with REGARI. I have recently shifted tracks from the hospitality sector to pursue my passion and interest in the challenges associated with recovery and wellbeing in our daily lives. I consider myself privileged to be participating in the delivery of recovery-oriented education as the principles of a holistic, person-led recovery service align with my personal ethos of respect for lived experience, empowerment, and the co-production of services.

Having had a lifelong relationship with transformative education I believe that it fundamentally strengthens us, both on a deeply personal level and on a broader societal level. I love my facilitation role and look forward to working more with the REGARI team as the co-production and co-delivery process continues. The diversity and plurality of voices involved in recovery collaborations makes recovery education a truly formidable tool for everyone!

As facilitators we are often thanked by the students in REGARI, and I would like to reiterate my thanks to them. Their humility, kindness, intelligence, and wisdom give me faith for our future.

Warm wishes,

Julie

REGARI would like to say a big "Thank You" to Maria. She has recently departed from her position in REGARI and began the next step of her journey. Thank you for the gift of music, the smiles and the magic typing Maria! Hopefully we will all see you again soon and make more music together!

I’m Maria Ward a Recovery Education Facilitator who started with REGARI Recovery College in November 2021. I graduated from the MA in Music Therapy at the University of Limerick in 2010 and since then have worked with organisations such as Barretstown Gang Camp, Music Therapy Connections NI, Music Generation Sligo, Éist Cancer Support Centre and Kerry Parents & Friends Association.

Throughout my personal & professional life I’ve seen the necessity of good support in recovery. It’s important to meet & be around people who can understand a person’s experiences, have faced similar challenges and can share their familiarity of meeting obstacles along the way. The combination of factual information and lived experience in discussing topics relating to mental health wellness really enhances prospect for meaningful, positive change.

We’ve all heard the saying there’s strength in numbers and that’s certainly my experience of REGARI Recovery College. Recovery can be a lonely road at times and these groups can help remind us that we’re not alone and offer a place to feel understood. I’ve really enjoyed the wide spectrum of topics, perspectives and experiences that’s been shared with the groups I’ve been involved in. The variety continues with exploration of recreational activities, creative engagement and signposting opportunities in the community that promote wellbeing. It’s a real pleasure to have the chance to be part of & learn from these groups each week.