Despite the critical role families play in the care and recovery journeys of people who experience enduring mental distress, they are often excluded by the mental health services in the care and decision-making process. International trends in mental health services emphasise promoting a partnership approach between service users, families and practitioners within an ethos of recovery.

This paper evaluated the acceptability of and initial outcomes from a clinician and peer co-led family information programme.

A sequential design was used involving a pre-post survey to assess changes in knowledge, confidence, advocacy, recovery and hope following programme participation and interviews with programme participants. Participants were recruited from mental health services running the information programme. In all, 86 participants completed both pre- and post-surveys, and 15 individuals consented to interviews.

Survey findings indicated a statistically significant change in family members’ knowledge about mental health issues, recovery attitudes, sense of hope and confidence. In addition, the interviews suggested that the programme had a number of other positive outcomes for family members, including increased communication with members of the mental health team and increased awareness of communication patterns within the family unit. Family members valued the opportunity to share their experiences in a ‘safe’ place, learn from each other and provide mutual support.

The evaluation highlights the importance of developing information programmes in collaboration with family members as well as the strength of a programme that is jointly facilitated by a family member and clinician.

The co-production and co-facilitation of recovery-focused education programmes is one way in which service users may be meaningfully involved as partners.

To evaluate the impact of a clinician and peer co-facilitated information programme on service users’ knowledge, confidence, recovery attitudes, advocacy and hope, and to explore their experience of the programme.

A sequential design was used involving a pre–post survey to assess changes in knowledge, confidence, advocacy, recovery attitudes and hope following programme participation. In addition, semi-structured interviews with programme participants were completed. Fifty-three participants completed both pre- and post-surveys and twelve individuals consented to interviews.

The results demonstrated statistically significant changes in service users’ knowledge about mental health issues, confidence and advocacy. These improvements were reflected in the themes which emerged from the interviews with participants (n = 12), who reported enhanced knowledge and awareness of distress and wellness, and a greater sense of hope. In addition, the peer influence helped to normalise experiences for participants, while the dual facilitation engendered equality of participation and increased the opportunity for meaningful collaboration between service users and practitioners.

The evaluation highlights the potential strengths of a service user and clinician co-facilitated education programme that acknowledges and respects the difference between the knowledge gained through self-experience and the knowledge gained through formal learning.

The present study evaluated the impact on psychosocial outcome of parallel clinician and peer-led information programmes for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and for family members within an Irish context.

A sequential mixed method design was used. Quantitative data were collected using pre- and post-programme questionnaires followed by an integrated qualitative component involving semi-structured interviews after the programme. The questionnaires assessed knowledge, attitudes towards recovery, hope, support, advocacy and well-being. Interviews with participants, facilitators and project workers explored their experiences and views of the programme.

While a number of the questionnaires did not show a statistically significant change, findings from the interviews suggest that the1 programmes had a number of positive outcomes, including increases in perceived knowledge, empowerment and support. Participants in both programmes valued the opportunity to meet people in similar circumstances, share their experiences, learn from each other and provide mutual support.

The EOLAS programmes offer a novel template for communication and information sharing in a way that embodies the principles of collaboration and offers users and families a meaningful opportunity to become involved in service design, delivery and evaluation.

The EOLAS programme is a peer and clinician-led mental health information programme on recovery from mental health difficulties, specifically for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum or bipolar disorders, their family members and significant others.

This article, the first of a two part series, outlines the background to and the rationale behind the EOLAS programme, and traces the participatory process used to inform the development and implementation of the pilot phase of the project. The aims of the programme, and the overarching principles that guided its development, delivery and evaluation, including the set-up of the project steering group are outlined and discussed.

Two separate programmes, one for family members and one for service users were designed. In addition, participant and facilitator handbooks were developed for each programme, including a training programme for facilitators.

Central to a recovery oriented service is the involvement of service users and families in the design and delivery of services. EOLAS is one potential model for achieving this aim.