# Recovery Colleges or Something Different? The Development and Evaluation of a Reflection Tool for Recovery Colleges in the Netherlands

## TL;DR

This paper evaluates a reflection tool for Recovery Colleges in the Netherlands, highlighting differences from the UK model and exploring fidelity in co-created mental health contexts.

## Contribution

The study adapts and evaluates a fidelity measure for Recovery Colleges in the Dutch context, revealing conceptual differences and shared international values.

## Key findings

- The reflection tool highlighted shared values among Recovery Colleges internationally.
- The Dutch model of Recovery Colleges differs conceptually from the UK model, particularly in being peer-run.
- The study questions the boundaries of fidelity in co-created mental health contexts.

## Abstract

Recovery Colleges (RCs) are increasingly implemented worldwide, with a fidelity measure recently developed in the United Kingdom (UK). However, RCs may vary based on their operating contexts. In the Netherlands, a key deviation is that RCs are often peer-run rather than co-produced with mental healthcare providers, as outlined in the fidelity measure. This study assessed the measure’s suitability in the Dutch context, leading to the development of a reflection tool (Phase 1) which was subsequently evaluated (Phase 2). The development phase involved focus groups with peer facilitators and coordinators from 16 RCs (N = 29) to capture critical elements of Dutch RCs. The tool was piloted (N = 5) and evaluated more broadly (N = 24). The tool provided valuable insights, highlighting shared values among RCs internationally and conceptual differences between Dutch and UK models. The findings raised questions about the boundaries of fidelity in co-created contexts such as RCs.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10597-025-01517-1.