Purpose: Recovery Colleges are an innovative approach which adopt an educational paradigm and utilise a co-production framework employing mental health professionals and individuals with lived experience to support students with their personal recovery. They embody recovery-orientated practice and their transformative role has been evidenced within mental health services. The aim of this study was to explore how past students understand the influence of the Recovery College on their ongoing recovery journey.

Design: An exploratory, qualitative design was employed. Semi-structured interviews took place with 15 participants. Data was analysed using Framework Analysis and inductive processes.

Findings: All participants discussed gains made following Recovery College attendance that were sustained at one year follow-up. Three themes emerged from the data: Ethos, Springboard, and Intrapersonal changes.

Originality/value: This focus on students’ experiences a year after attendance contrasts with most research which is completed immediately post course. This study contributes to the emergent evidence base highlighting the longitudinal positive impact of Recovery Colleges. This study is of worth to those with an interest in recovery-oriented models within mental health. Recovery Colleges are gaining traction nationally and internationally; this research highlights processes underlying this intervention which is of importance to those developing new Recovery Colleges.