<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Stepping Stones]]></title><description><![CDATA[Stepping Stones Recovery College. This is a very special place for anyone experiencing challenges to their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecovery.co.uk/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:28:43 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Healing After a Controlling Relationship:  Recovery Is Possible]]></title><description><![CDATA[Healing After a Controlling Relationship:  Recovery Is Possible One of the biggest misconceptions about controlling or coercive relationships is that once you leave, everything gets better. The reality is often very different. For many people, leaving is only the first step.  The emotional impact of living with control, manipulation and fear can stay with you long after the relationship has ended.  You may be physically safe, but your mind and body are still trying to make sense of everything...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/healing-after-a-controlling-relationship-recovery-is-possible</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a706f443e0c16484ffbaff2</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:47:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b1699_d4d1fa5b91ac482b9b5d3e39dae77d5f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_972,h_546,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Barber</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Power of Human Connection:Finding Belonging in a Lonely World]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Power of Human Connection: Finding Belonging in a Lonely World Human beings are wired for connection.  From our earliest days, having close human relationships help us feel safe, understood and valued.  Yet, despite living in a world where we are more digitally connected than ever, loneliness remains a growing challenge for many people – of all ages. Understanding Loneliness Loneliness is not simply about being alone.  Many people can enjoy spending time by themselves and feel content. ...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/the-power-of-human-connection-finding-belonging-in-a-lonely-world</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4621092a8938f609c17ba1</guid><pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:48:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b1699_1eba84eb4f4d42c2af68bd051ca57609~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_939,h_625,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Barber</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What is a Recovery College?]]></title><description><![CDATA[When people first hear the term Recovery College, they often imagine a hospital or a clinical service.  But a recovery college is something very different – and much more personally empowering. A recovery college is essentially an educational space, not a medical one.  It’s built on the idea that recovery in mental health is about personal learning, growth, connection, and rebuilding a meaningful life. It’s holistic and not just about reducing symptoms. Recovery Colleges help people see that...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/what-is-a-recovery-college</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6985c6792cdf2c42d92b8dd6</guid><pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 10:56:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b1699_ba55689be0204fc682b7dee511227c88~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Barber</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Breaking the Silence: Why Mental Health Stigma Still Exists – and How We Can Change it]]></title><description><![CDATA[Despite growing awareness, stigma around mental health still lingers in everyday life.  It shows up in eye rolls, awkward silences, or those classic comments like “have you tried being more positive” (if only it worked like a light switch). And even though one in four people will experience a mental health challenge, many still feel pressure to hide what they’re going through, but as the saying goes:   “Being honest about your struggles isn’t a weakness – it’s how you rewrite your story”  ...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/breaking-the-silence-why-mental-health-stigma-still-exists-and-how-we-can-change-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69300b579b06fc064bd91675</guid><pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:16:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b1699_f5bc8f813077476ab18654d607969170~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Barber</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[White Ribbon Day: Standing Together to End Violence Against Women and Girls]]></title><description><![CDATA[Image Credit Sky Sports Every year on 25 th  November, people across the world come together for White Ribbon Day – a day dedicated to ending men’s violence against women and girls.  It’s a powerful reminder that change begins with each of us: in our everyday actions.   White Ribbon Day isn’t just a date on the calendar.  It’s a movement. A promise. A pledge that we will challenge harmful attitudes, call out inequality, and stand up against all forms of abuse – whether emotional, physical,...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/white-ribbon-day-standing-together-to-end-violence-against-women-and-girls</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6924301c9745b3c9f1427c32</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:15:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/db249c_46fa4e8a16414e4a82433937c06604a4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_692,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Barber</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finding Her Voice]]></title><description><![CDATA[My name is Sarah; I have been attending stepping stones for 3 years now.  I lived in Bracknell for 5 years and had no friends or anything in my life for me.  I was signposted to stepping stones, the word college frightened me as you think of a normal college but it’s not like that at all.   I was advised by the lovely friendly team on what courses that will suit me to help myself gain the tools I needed in my life for my mental health.  The college offers so many new courses with a varied...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/finding-her-voice</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69242ed5ab76fd5172adee5c</guid><category><![CDATA[Student Stories]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:13:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/db249c_3ecc46a3592a4f1da359f58d333844a8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Fiona Barber</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[I now have purpose, drive and direction]]></title><description><![CDATA[In January 2025 I stumbled across Stepping Stones.  I was going through a very bleak time in my life, feeling very low, lost and lonely with no job.  I arranged to meet with a member of staff, and we discussed how Stepping Stones could help me, help myself.  I quickly signed up for the Foundation to Wellbeing course and complete this as well as many other courses, as I felt I needed to keep myself busy and productive.  Within a few months, staff encouraged me to be a student support volunteer...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/i-now-have-purpose-drive-and-direction</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69062566bb9a5281a8ab1b89</guid><category><![CDATA[Student Stories]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 01 Nov 2025 15:36:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a9899b38300f2739b2fdc4db1b7469a7.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>cathy303</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Student Story]]></title><description><![CDATA[I was first introduced to Stepping Stones by a social prescriber.   At first, I was terrified and full of anxiety, but I quickly realised...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/student-story</link><guid isPermaLink="false">687116fe74b3b18a8436e554</guid><category><![CDATA[Student Stories]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:54:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/127d37_9952128b0e034e1dbf0eb7a0614499ad~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Stepping Stones</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Support Stepping Stones through Easy Fundraising in 3 easy steps.]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’re planning to shop online, you can help us raise FREE donations! 
]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/3-easy-steps-to-help-raise-donations-for-stepping-stones</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67da87136240f8c457df7b61</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:09:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/db249c_3c4f5f32e33447fb8f2d622f7e02d413~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Stepping Stones</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Life Changing - Student Story]]></title><description><![CDATA[Stepping Stones has truly been a journey of discovery and adventure.]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/life-changing-student-story</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67a9fa1125e98d5ad9b0ebb0</guid><category><![CDATA[Student Stories]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:12:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_6acd237ed5b3488688ef21642bbd6194~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Stepping Stones</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Social Drop in Book Club for Students]]></title><description><![CDATA[A chance for students to connect, relax and engage with one another at our weekly Social Drop-In and Book Club sessions. ]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/social-drop-in-book-club-for-students</link><guid isPermaLink="false">673c6fa98780457e2ebadecd</guid><pubDate>Fri, 29 Nov 2024 13:09:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_23ee4e3a6faa4606b2e114e4860e91e3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Embracing Life’s Seasons]]></title><description><![CDATA[Each aspect of weather reflects a facet of our emotional journey, reminding us that life is a blend of light and shadow, calm and storms.]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/embracing-life-s-seasons</link><guid isPermaLink="false">673c661329af36546510e24f</guid><pubDate>Tue, 19 Nov 2024 10:23:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6d01f2f42aac4f98bdea4b98449d5e5e.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator></dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Understanding Panic Attacks: What You Need to Know]]></title><description><![CDATA[Understanding Panic Attacks: What You Need to Know. 
What Happens During a Panic Attack?]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/panic</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6604317c6fdb3f465f9d601e</guid><pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:58:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_b278879f1bf94ec2ba7c13f5514c5230~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>reception6688</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Embrace the Concept of "Wintering" in Life's Challenging Seasons]]></title><description><![CDATA[How to Embrace the Concept of "Wintering" in Life's Challenging Seasons]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/how-to-embrace-the-concept-of-wintering-in-life-s-challenging-seasons</link><guid isPermaLink="false">659fbd20b4172ca6544cd8ea</guid><pubDate>Thu, 11 Jan 2024 10:20:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/db249c_b5b95b8eb130443cb349ec54309e899a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_980,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>reception6688</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Understanding and Overcoming Self-Harm: A Compassionate Guide]]></title><description><![CDATA[Self-harm is a complex and challenging issue that many individuals face, often as a way of coping with overwhelming emotions. We dispel...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/understanding-and-overcoming-self-harm-a-compassionate-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">655f3c8ecd40f8ab26158298</guid><pubDate>Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:56:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_0fdd6563670949f8a488efe32f64fdd3~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>reception6688</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Essential Coping Strategies for Thriving During the Festive Season]]></title><description><![CDATA[As we approach the festive season, it's crucial to acknowledge that not everyone finds this time of year joyous. Many people experience...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/essential-coping-strategies-for-thriving-during-the-festive-season</link><guid isPermaLink="false">655217e49f32ca78a3d9d675</guid><pubDate>Mon, 13 Nov 2023 12:41:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/db249c_db7431ef4a8947c886f69db034658227~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Nicola Nott</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Understanding Neurodiversity]]></title><description><![CDATA[Have you ever heard the term "neurodiversity" and wondered what it means?]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/understanding-neurodiversity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">64fb22f356c685b29395f9a6</guid><pubDate>Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:35:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/db249c_a3d06471b4a94dda9e4bc4e5c3b4fb64~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>reception6688</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Unlocking the Essence of Wellbeing: Nurturing Your Mental Health]]></title><description><![CDATA[In this fast-paced world, where stress and anxiety can easily seep into our lives, it's crucial to prioritise our mental health and...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/unlocking-the-essence-of-wellbeing-nurturing-your-mental-health</link><guid isPermaLink="false">649ad158294a6a166c289a43</guid><pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2023 08:59:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_7297b4dadebc44b399c0fd8b55978723~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>reception6688</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Managing Your Money: A Stepping Stone to Good Mental Health]]></title><description><![CDATA[When it comes to our mental well-being, we often focus on the importance of self-care, therapy, and support networks. However, one vital...]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/managing-your-money-a-stepping-stone-to-good-mental-health</link><guid isPermaLink="false">649ae5bb300c529bf4888985</guid><pubDate>Tue, 08 Aug 2023 05:48:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/db249c_92306a26ddb94620a4ce0362ee83a86c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_708,h_374,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>reception6688</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Master the Art of Listening: 5 Tips for Becoming a Great Listener]]></title><description><![CDATA[How to improve your listening skills.
]]></description><link>https://www.steppingstonesrecoverycollege.co.uk/post/master-the-art-of-listening-5-tips-for-becoming-a-great-listener</link><guid isPermaLink="false">649ad616179253ee9fb2fcc6</guid><pubDate>Sun, 30 Jul 2023 16:45:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_4d396a724b44584f516f55~mv2_d_5152_3435_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>reception6688</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>