What does WRAP stand for?

WRAP stands for Wellness Recovery Action Planning.  It’s a prevention and wellness process developed by a group of people in the late 1990s. The group were looking for ways to better manage their mental health and wellbeing.  Together with Mary Ellen Copeland they created a tool that anyone can use. WRAP helps you discover, explore and enhance your wellbeing.

To find out more about WRAP, you can read about it here.

Who can attend a WRAP course?

WRAP can be for anyone. We all need to look after our wellbeing and WRAP is a great tool for exploring how you can best do that.  WRAP helps you look after yourself at all times. It is a tool for life. It can support you when you are feeling fine as well as when life gets challenging. WRAP helps you to look at your options and plan steps you can take to stay well. By identifying a series of tools and action plans, you can find out what works best for you.

Coastal Wellbeing has worked with WRAP for ten years, facilitating courses with people from all walks of life.  We have delivered focused WRAP courses for many different groups including carers, long term health conditions, autism, drug and alcohol recovery, staff teams, young people and general mental health and wellbeing. 

This is a process for anyone who wants to make positive changes in the way they feel and respond to life.

How long is a WRAP course?

The courses usually run for six sessions, meeting weekly for up to 3 hours* each session. We take one or two short breaks during each session.

*Online session are 2 hours long with one short break. In-person sessions are 3 hours long with two short breaks.

How many people will there be in the group?

The maximum number of people in a group is 6 for online courses and 10 for in person courses.  If you want to know how many people will be on a course you are signed up to, please do get in touch with the facilitators – they know it can be daunting to start any kind of group work and that knowing what to expect when you turn up to the first session can be helpful. 

I am not keen on the idea of talking about myself in a group.  Will I be put on the spot?

Talking in a group can be daunting, especially at the beginning of a course when you may not know anyone in the group or what to expect.  The facilitators understand this and know from their own experience what it’s like to be a participant – the safety of everyone in the group is their main concern.  Participation is always voluntary, you are invited to talk about only what you are comfortable sharing, and no one will be put on the spot.

Do you do any roleplay on the course?

No. This is a safe space where participation is encouraged through discussion in the group.  The facilitators join in the discussions and work alongside you throughout.  Depending on the size of the group, we may break out into smaller groups or pairs for some topics. 

What if I can’t make it to a session?

If you can’t make it to a session, please let the facilitators know.  They will make sure that in the following session you are given handouts and can fill you in on the session you missed.

Important: the course is closed to new members after Session 2, so if you miss Session 1, it’s vital that you attend week two, or you will have to wait to join a course at another time. 

Is there homework or a test at the end of the course?

No.  This course is about giving yourself the time and space to focus on your wellbeing.  The facilitators will encourage you to take notice of your wellness tools and check to make sure that what they are saying is clear and understood, but there is no homework or test.

Will I need to take notes?

We provide you with handouts on every section of the Recovery Concepts and WRAP and a folder to store them in.  When we discuss topics in the group, the facilitators will write down all of the ideas shared and type these up to give to you the following week.

Making notes is up to you.  If you like to make notes to support your learning, that’s fine.  If you prefer to put pen and paper aside, that’s fine too.  The handouts will capture everything we discuss.  At the end of the course you will have a completed WRAP that reflects all of the ideas shared in the group.

Is WRAP a therapy group?

No, WRAP is not a therapy group. Being part of a WRAP group is an educational experience.  The focus is on peers working together and learning from each other to increase mutual understanding, knowledge and promote wellness.  The impact of attending a WRAP course, however, may well be therapeutic – meeting with others in a safe environment and realising that you are not alone can have huge benefits. 

What do I do if I have a question that isn’t answered here?

Please email, phone or text one of the facilitators.  No question is a silly question – your wellbeing matters and it is important to us that people have the information they need to make an informed choice about attending a WRAP course.