Psychoeducation for service users has been shown in several recent meta-analyses to improve adherence with treatment, decrease rehospitalization rates and improve various measures of quality of life. The 8-week EOLAS Programme for service users with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder is unique in being designed, co-facilitated and evaluated collaboratively by both clinician and peer representatives. EOLAS forms part of the service plan of the national Health Service in Ireland.

To evaluate the impact of the EOLAS programme on participants’ perceived knowledge, confidence, advocacy, recovery attitudes and hope.

Anonymised questionnaires were administered to participants before and after completion of the EOLAS Programme.

All survey participants were invited to attend for interview to examine qualitatively their experience of the programme. Interviews were recorded and subjected to thematic analysis.

Forty-five subjects completed pre- and post-programme questionnaires (participation rate = 55%).

Significant improvements (P < 0.05) were identified across each of the 5 domains examined (i.e. perceived knowledge, confidence, advocacy, recovery attitudes, hope). Expressed satisfaction with the programme was high (95%).

At interview, participants (n = 12) particularly valued:

– the opportunity to ask questions of the psychiatrist e.g. about medication;

– improving self-care skills e.g. monitoring early warning signs of relapse;

– co-facilitation by a peer, which provided extra credibility and inspired hope;

– sharing experiences with peers.

The EOLAS programme succeeds in meeting the needs of the participants across the target domains. This success depends on the unique collaboration between clinicians and peer experts on which EOLAS is based.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.