Fleet Meadow is a calm, quiet space surrounded by an ever expanding bustling town called Didcot. The face of Didcot has changed beyond recognition over the last 40 years, from a small market town to a thriving community, boasting a brand new town centre and housing developments.

Fleet Meadow is situated just outside the town centre and offers a calm, relaxed space where members can attend many creative workshops from arts and crafts, woodwork, pottery and gardening. The Fleet Meadow team are an incredibly supportive, friendly team that welcomed me with a smile upon my arrival, the aim is to support and empower members to recover from enduring long term mental health issues. Fleet Meadow boasts a beautiful garden with allotments on which they grow fresh fruit and vegetables which they sell to the public. The garden is a quiet, calm space full of colour and wonderful ornaments that have been made by the members. The garden is open to the public from 11am till 3.30pm Monday to Friday.

Members can express themselves in many creative ways as David told me,

“I have been a member since 2014, I first heard about Restore from my Doctor. I am currently enrolled on a photography course which is 10 weeks long and I am learning exciting new useful skills in the art of photography. I get a lot out from the amazing people here, the group is incredibly supportive and friendly, such as today, our regular driver for the photography course is sick, so another member offered to take us so we didn’t miss out. I also take part in the arts and crafts workshops as well as Sporting Minds, a course that incorporates sport and learning to deal with mental health challenges. Restore means a great deal to me, it has had a massive positive impact on my life.”

One thing is for sure, while Didcot changes on an almost daily basis, Fleet Meadow continues to be a pillar of the community.

To refer yourself to our Projects or employment coaching service, or to find out more, email:
referral@restore.org.uk
Or phone us on: 01865 455823