Albert’s motivations
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Restore has incredible supporters. Today, Restore runners share their motivations. “I wanted to take on a fitness challenge while supporting a charity close to my heart. Having experienced my own mental health struggles, I understand the importance of seeking support … Read more

Tuk Tuk Tales – Lesley
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Last week we said goodbye to Lesley, our chief executive of six years. To mark her last day Lesley joined the team for an inaugural ‘Tuk Tuk Tales’ video. Click below for Lesley’s reflections on a wonderful period, sharing Restore’s benefits … Read more

Amy’s Restore journey
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Restore can be a support to many. From individuals working through their own mental health recovery. To friends, family and community members seeking to better understand mental health. Amy, has been a member of Restore’s Elder Stubbs recovery group, and … Read more

Join Restore: ask MPs to make change happen
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It is unacceptable that so many people suffer with mental ill health without more support, sometimes with devastating impact. Let’s make change happen

Elder Stubbs’ Green Fingered Guide
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With spring on the way, now is a great time to start looking forward and plan the year ahead. This is especially true if you have a garden in your life. Growing produce is central to life at Elder Stubbs, … Read more

Aideen shares her Restore journey 
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Former member, and new mental health peer support worker at Keystone, Aideen, spoke to our editorial volunteer about her experience at Restore. “Being a member at Restore was an integral part of my recovery journey. The most important benefit that … Read more

Blenheim 7K Fun Run 2022
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Blenheim 7K The Fun Run will take place on Sunday 15 May which coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week this year. The race takes place in the beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace, a World Heritage site and our Charity Partner … Read more

Please take thirty seconds and vote for Restore – it’s free!
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LET’S BRAND THE BUS – RESTORE! Click here to vote (Entry 18) Mental ill-health affects at least one in four of us each year, and it is more important than ever that we support people with mental ill-health following on … Read more

Roy walks Land’s End to John O’Groats for Restore!
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As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, Roy decided to walk the 1083.8-mile route from Land’s End to John O’Groats, covering the distance in his local area but blogging and tracking his progress as if travelling from coast to coast. Why? To raise money for Restore, and awareness about mental ill-health.

Julie Field
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My name is Julie Field and I am the MHFA Coordinator here at Restore. Why did you want to become a MHFA instructor? I have been delivering the MHFA training here for over 7 years and love my job as … Read more

Didcot Boys smash fundraising target, and win hearts along the way
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In May this year the absolutely incredible Didcot Town Under 7s Whites football team stole everyone’s hearts by taking part in a brilliant fundraising challenge in aid of Restore. Coach, Daz King, kept us up-to-date with their progress, and we … Read more

Volunteering at Restore: Alex’s Experience
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‘Working at Restore offers a unique blend of comfort and challenge: you can be open about your diagnosis, knowing that others around you empathise from their own experience…’ I came to Oxford after having a flare-up of bipolar mania. I … Read more

You always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself – The Wizard of Oz
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Week Nine, Day Three: 23 May I write this blog with very mixed emotions; I am over the moon that I have completed the Couch to 5K challenge. Part of me really did not think I would be able to … Read more

To escape fear, you have to go through it not around it
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Week Nine, Day Two: 21 May I wake at 4.06am, but instead of getting up as I promised myself I would, I think I will just lie here for 20 minutes and then get up. The next thing I know … Read more

My only competitor is the person I was yesterday
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Week Nine, Day One: 19 May So here I am, week nine and the final stage. Today’s run…30 minutes, yes this is the big one, the 5K. I have had a 2 day rest in the hope that my ankle … Read more

Just Keep Swimming – Finding Nemo
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Week Eight, Day Three: 16 May I had felt so positive after the last run, but that seemed a distant memory today. I got up a little later as it is Saturday and took my time drinking my tea. The … Read more

Your struggle today is your story tomorrow
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Week Eight, Day Two: 14 May 2020 After my awful last run I felt curiously excited about this one. I put this down to having come up with an idea that meant I would not have to run past the … Read more

There is no illusion greater than fear
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Week Eight, Day One: 12 May  Week Eight, I can hardly believe it. I honestly didn’t think I would get this far, but now I have I am determined I am going to get to the end. I was so … Read more

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. – Winston Churchill
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Week Seven, Day Three: 8 May It is Bank Holiday Friday, the 75th anniversary of VE day, and my alarm goes off at 4.50am; I am not best pleased. I fleetingly think I could go back to sleep and run tomorrow, … Read more

Strive for progress not perfection
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Week Seven, Day Two: 6 MayThe moon was big and bright last night, heralding a clear night and a beautiful dawn. This has me chasing my fix again, and so when I wake at 4.30am I get up and on. … Read more

Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations
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Week Seven, Day One: 4 May – May the Fourth be with you! I was on a massive high all day Friday after successfully completing the 25-minute run. And really tempted to look ahead at the next run immediately, as … Read more

Fear is an idea-crippling, experience-crushing, success-stalling inhibitor inflicted only by yourself
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Week Six, Day Three: 1 May I kinda knew a big run was in the post and here it was….5-minute warm up walk, 25-minute run, 5-minute cool down walk. Having completed the 20-minute run a week ago I was not feeling quite … Read more

Grow through what you go through
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Week Six, Day Two: 29 April Following my new regime of checking the app the evening before, I open it wondering how difficult it was going to be, dreading that it would be another 20-minute run. I was pleasantly surprised … Read more

The road to success is always under construction
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Week Six, Day One: 27 April I can’t believe I am starting week six! Although this is a little confusing since I started this challenge in the first week of lockdown, and that is in week 5 but my desire … Read more

I didn’t come this far to only come this far
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Week Five, Day Three: 24 April I looked at the last run in week five and couldn’t believe my eyes. 5-minute warm up walk, 20-minute run, 5-minute cool down walk…20 MINUTE RUN… What the…heck!!! I had struggled to do an 8-minute … Read more

Your life doesn’t get better by chance, it gets better by change
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Week Five, Day Two: 22 April I was feeling daunted by the pace of change this week. And so, having decided that it was best to know than to worry, I sneaked a peak at this run immediately after the … Read more

If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you
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Week Five, Day One: 20 April Following the last run I was on a high all day. It really felt like something had clicked and I was looking forward to week five. I will let you into a secret; as … Read more

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s about learning to dance in the rain
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Week Four, Day Three: 18 April After the last run I was feeling much better about this one; but then three things happened to change that. The annoying thing was that two of them could have been avoided! First of … Read more

A negative mind will never give you positive life
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Week Four, Day Two: 16 April There were no butterflies this morning because I was consumed with one thought, I didn’t want to do it. The last run had been incredibly hard, and not in the least bit fun! I … Read more

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. – Winnie the Poo
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Week Four, Day Two: 16 April Being the Easter Bank Holiday I decided to have a lie in on the Monday, so I still haven’t managed to sort my running week out. Oh well, there is always next week. Having … Read more

Worry is a misuse of the imagination
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Week Three, Day Three: 11 April As it was Saturday I allowed myself a lie in and started my run an hour later than normal. This should now set me up next week to run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday leaving … Read more

Fears are stories we tell ourselves
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Week Three, Day Two: 9 April The butterflies had a slight edge of hysteria today, I could feel the tendrils of panic reaching for me, it wasn’t bad but it was there. Writing this blog has had some surprising benefits. … Read more

“It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t give up”
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Week Three, Day One: 7 April The butterflies were a little livelier this morning for 2 reasons. I really hadn’t enjoyed my last run, (that’s an interesting thing to say, does that mean, looking back, I had enjoyed previous runs?), … Read more

Your attitude not your aptitude will determine your altitude
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Week Two, Day Three: 5 April Today is Sunday and I woke feeling resentful that I had to get up for a run. Yes, I know that no-one was making me do it so I had only myself to blame. … Read more

Worrying doesn’t stop the bad stuff from happening it just stops you enjoying the good
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Week Two, Day Two: 3 April The butterflies of anxiety didn’t show themselves until I was up, dressed and drinking my tea. There was the usual anxiety about the run but this was joined by some new butterflies that have … Read more

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t you are right
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Week Two, Day One: 1 April I have had a bit of a roller-coaster of emotions over the last couple of days. After my last run of week one I found I had the strangest feeling; I was actually sorry … Read more

Blessed are the flexible for they will not be bent out of shape
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Week One, Day Three: 30 March The app says to have a day of rest between each run. Since there are three run days per week, there has to be a two-day rest to follow the structure week by week. … Read more

Monsters don’t sleep under your bed, they sleep inside your head
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Week One, Day Two: 27 March My excitement from Day One has turned into trepidation (noun, a feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen). I realise now that on Day One I had no idea what to … Read more

And so it begins…
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Week One, Day One: 25 March I have downloaded the app, got into my gym gear, and have one of my dogs ready to go with me (the other one is old and her legs are far too short for … Read more

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you deal with it
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Like everyone, there are some things that I find more difficult than others. But I have decided to challenge myself on several of these in one go. Because I believe in the quote above, in this time of self-isolation I … Read more

Tomek’s Story
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Restore helped me to rediscover my former healthy self Tomek Brus has been involved with Restore for over ten years, initially as a member of one of our Recovery Projects, and more recently, as a Restore volunteer. Here, he shares … Read more

Hot off the press! Final List of Lots revealed for Restore’s Auction of Promises hosted by Jeremy Irons
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Hollywood star Jeremy Irons will be bringing the hammer down on money-spinning lots for Restore’s biggest fundraiser of the year on Thursday 28 February. Tickets are selling out fast to meet and mingle with Jeremy, enjoy great canapes by celebrity chef Sophie … Read more

Run for Restore!
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Oxford Half Marathon returns on Sunday 13 October 2019 Get your FREE charity place when you pledge to raise at least £200 for Restore and mental health recovery! You can run for Restore whether you take up one of our places or secure … Read more

Lots included in our Auction of Promises at St Hugh’s College on Thursday 28th February at 7pm
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We have some really exciting items for sale at our Auction of Promises. We have a week in a Tuscan hill town, a week in a Portuguese villa, tickets for two adults and up to four children to WOMAD festival … Read more

Lights, camera, Auction of Promises…with Jeremy Irons
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We’re thrilled to announce that Hollywood star Jeremy Irons will be bringing the hammer down on a wide range of money-spinning lots. The University of Oxford college, St Hugh’s, will be our hosts for an elegant evening at Restore’s largest … Read more

Christmas raffle 2018 – great prizes to be won for £1 per ticket
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We have lots of lovely prizes for our Christmas Raffle this year.The draw takes place on Friday 28th December and the winners will be announced in the New Year. Tickets are £1 each and would make wonderful stocking fillers for … Read more

Paul’s Story
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I was in a difficult and completely alien situation. I’d been consistently in employment for over 35 years and then I just found myself at home with a lot of time on my hands. I was away from the workplace … Read more

Carly’s Story
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I first heard about Restore when I was in hospital. A man named Andy came to talk to us all about what support there would be available to us when we left. I’m so glad he did because if he … Read more

Andy’s Story
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When I was at work, I was beginning to get ill with bipolar, anxiety and agrophobia. I was having relapse at work, but I didn’t want to tell anybody. My mother had breast cancer and my wife was struggling to … Read more

Marie-Annick’s Story
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I became aware of my creativity during my time as a Marketing Manager. When I was made redundant and whilst looking for employment I went on a part-time Access Course in Art and Design. During that time my health took … Read more

Kana’s Story
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In 2009 I had a major accident at work. A two-tonne weight fell on me causing a head injury and lots of broken bones including my arms, legs, knee, ankle – they thought I was dead as I wasn’t breathing. … Read more

Genzyme corporate volunteering
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A fruitful partnership amongst the apple trees – Genzyme steps in to support Restore’s 24th Elder Stubbs Festival, organised by our members, volunteers and staff. In the run-up to the annual Elder Stubbs Festival there is much to be done – … Read more

Green Fingers
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Matthew Kopinski initiated a vegetable exchange table at John Wiley & Sons publishers in Cowley, raising £580 for Restore. Staff are encouraged to bring in their glut of seeds, plants and vegetables to exchange, whether it’s produce from their gardens … Read more

The sky’s the limit!
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Jonathan is a former member of Restore, and now works as our Recovery Worker. He raised over £1000 for Restore through a sponsored skydive. “It all began with a silly conversation with a friend. We saw the poster for charity … Read more

Date Knit
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Oxford Drunken Knitwits donned the cocktail dresses and knitting needles for their knit-a-thon on World Mental Health Day, raising over £2000 for Restore. Chief Knitwit, Janey Messina, tells us more: “I wanted to help Restore because mental health is very important … Read more

Maria’s Story
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My first approach to Restore was after I had left work in September 2008 through ill-health. In previous years I had suffered bi-polar and been very ill at times. My psychiatrist recommended Restore as a good starting point in getting … Read more

Brendan’s Story
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I was getting quite stressed and depressed having nothing to wake up for in the morning so my CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) suggested I try Restore. I reckon if I hadn’t come here I’d have ended up back in hospital. … Read more

Danny’s Story
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I started at Restore in October after being discharged from the Adolescent Unit at the Warneford Hospital. It was difficult being at hospital as it was the first time I’d been away from my parents. I liked Restore the first … Read more

Gill’s Story
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Restore is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’ve got a new life and new beginning. I had a difficult relationship with my family as I felt unloved and unwanted. I’ve had depression for a long time and I … Read more

Judi’s Story
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I referred myself to Restore after leaving my job, which was a traumatic time for me. Within a couple of weeks I was able to start at Restore. I’d seen the sign on Cowley Road before, but had no idea … Read more

Kevin’s Story
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Everyone at Restore is eager to help and very supportive, and it’s great to feel I can put my expertise and skills to good use. I’ve always lived a vibrant life full of people and activity. I’ve run my own … Read more