We ask ourselves what recovery means in this workshop and explore our own and each other’s experiences of recovery. We discuss definitions of recovery, then watch a documentary trailer which outlines a persons quest to use their madness as a tool for creativity, inspiration and hope. A short discussion on why recovery started is followed by a discussion on the differences between personal and clinical recovery. We draw or write what recovery means to us in an exercise that continues until the pen stops and the artwork is displayed for the rest of the session. Participants are shown a brief summary of what the research says about experience of recovery and work in pairs to explore their own experiences in relation to the research. In a second short video by Pat Deegan she talks about recovery and purpose, leading into a general discussion on what gives our lives purpose. Finally we explore an activity ‘Working with Recovery Capital which takes us into our lifebook activity.