We asked Restore staff what their highlights of 2015 were…
“A new staff member has been amazing! (and no Grace hasn’t paid me to say that!)” – Jon, Fleet Meadow Recovery Worker
Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to welcome two new Recovery Workers to our team. This has enabled us to provide better support for our members, and increase capacity, so that we can welcome even more people through the doors. In fact, the number of people we support has increased from 763 in 2014 to 923, and continues to rise!
“We celebrated people’s talents by publishing a collection of photography, craftwork, art and poetry. It’s receiving resounding approval and compliments from many whilst seeing the happiness of those that could see their work in print” – Martin, Chief Executive.
“We are thrilled about our partnership with Oxford Bus Company which is enabling us to challenge stigma and promote Restore free of charge via posters and videos on their buses. Thank you Oxford Bus Company!!” – Lucy, Trusts and Partnerships
Oxfordshire Recovery College was launched, and we welcomed 130 students in our first term! We now provide courses to help people learn the tools to manage their own recovery, and for carers to support the wellbeing of their loved ones and themselves. Visit the college’s website
Littlemore Lounge and Garden Cafe passed their Food Hygiene inspection with 5 stars! Anyone who works in catering will know how difficult this can be, especially with a daily rotating team – so we are incredibly proud of our cafe teams!
Sally, Littlemore Recovery Co-ordinator said their highlight was the Christmas lunch, playing games and relaxing together as a group. And they’re very excited about their new cake display fridge:
“We feel much more professional now and can show off all our lovely cakes!”
“So many members (22+) helping on the day of the Elder Stubbs Festival, stepping out of comfort zones and taking ownership of the day.” – Katie, Elder Stubbs Recovery Co-ordinator.
“2015 has been an exciting and productive year for The Orchard with a very successful Auctionheld in July. Jacqui was particularly tenacious in asking Banbury retailers to donate prizes for the auction. Over £2000 was raised for Restore which was a fantastic contribution. – Fran, The Orchard Recovery Co-ordinator
“A member writing to us to say that Elder Stubbs has been the best ‘healing process I could have wished for’” Katie, Elder Stubbs Recovery Co-ordinator
Our volunteer team were recognised with theOCVA Management of Volunteers Award!
“During the autumn we worked hard onredecorating and refurbishing our shop, and were ready for our Open day on 26th November. Previous member Robert, and our new trustee, Charlotte Bird opened our shop, and we sold refreshments and had a tombola. It was a very exciting day for us with new visitors and new contacts made for Banbury. We even made it to page 3 of the Banbury Guardian and had our picture in the Banbury Cake”. – Fran, The Orchard Recovery Co-ordinator
If you’re in Banbury, pop over to Calthorpe Street and take a look!
Julie and Liz, our Mental Health First Aid instructors were crowned best in the UK, and attended an awards ceremony at the House of Lords
We launched the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership – the first of it’s kind in the UK! Find out more…
Beehive Recovery group won Silver for the Community Garden Therapy Award at Oxford in Bloom.
“Seeing our Justgiving page filled with inspirational people doing incredible things to raise money for Restore. I’m overwhelmed by the lengths people are going to support the charity!” – Hannah, Community Fundraiser
Our Gardening Facilitator, Brian, achieved Level 3 Assessing Competence accreditation. This means he can now assess and give qualifications to members for the horticultural skills and knowledge they develop here.
The Garden Cafe team developed a delicious new menu, with breakfast, paninis and health snacks added to the menu!
“Liaising with Oxford wood recycling and selling products through them and members volunteering there” – Gordon, Fleet Meadow Recovery Co-ordinator
“Receiving funding and purchasing a sit on mower and a rotavator” was another highlight for Gordon and the group – thank you so much for your donations that made this possible!
Elder Stubbs Recovery Group have made fantastic progress on their beautiful sensory garden. The garden has been designed by members, and has delights for all senses – wind-chimes to listen to, strawberries and herbs to taste, and ‘lamb’s ears’ plants to touch.
Our Coaching team supported 54 people into paid work!
“One of my clients went for training with Oxford Bus Company and qualified as a bus driver. She has now been driving for a year …She is really grateful for all the support she was given by Restore and is very happy and fulfilled” – Caroline, Employment Coach.
“Hearing Restore announced as the Overall Winner of the GSK Impact Awards!” – Hannah, Community Fundraiser
We were crowned the best community healthcare project in the whole of the UK at the GSK Impact Awards in May. This accolade has brought so much to Restore, including a network of support and training from the Kings Fund and £40,000 to fund our work, not to mention the publicity it has brought to mental health.