Oxfordshire 'Charity of the Year' 2011 - Restore

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We could not have achieved the Charity of the Year Award without the support of our members, volunteers, supporters and funders so thank you to all of you. More than 400 people attended the awards event held by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action at Oxford Town Hall. The contribution of 40 of the country’s volunteers was also recognised with individual certificates being presented to each person by Penelope Glen, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire. Among those celebrated was Pat Armstrong, who has volunteered for more than 14 years for Restore at the Elder Stubbs Festival. A retired teacher, Pat has been a wonderful ambassador for Restore and for those who experience mental health problems in Oxfordshire. Pat says: ”I originally became involved because I have a close relative with mental health problems. Restore is like a lifeboat. It offers such tremendous hope for people who have mental health issues and encourages them to stretch their potential. It’s great that Restore has been awarded Charity of the Year.” Benedict Leigh, Restore Chief Executive agrees: “The award is a brilliant recognition of all of the hard work that all our members, volunteers and staff have put in over the last year. Restore wouldn’t exist without people like Pat, so we are particularly happy to see her commitment recognised.” In further recognition of Restore’s work, we were one of three organisations shortlisted for the Oxford Times Charity and Community Award at the Oxfordshire Business Awards in June 2011. A video of our work was shown to the 500 guests at the awards ceremony at the Oxford Four Pillars hotel. Restore wins the Charity of the Year Award at the Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards Annual Review restore working for mental health 2011/12 Volunteer Pat Armstrong (far left) with staff from Restore, OCVA and Blake Lapthorn “We could not have achieved the award without our members, volunteers, supporters and funders, so thank you to all of you.” www.restore.org.uk 0845 250 0518 [email protected] Oxfordshire ‘Charity of the Year’ 2011 We have now completed the first year of our new recovery ser vice, which was launched in March 2011 Although change is always challenging, there were fewer teething problems than anticipated and it was a successful year. Our members (people who use the service), volunteers and staff adapted well to new ways of working. Seven recovery groups across the county provide the opportunity for people with mental health problems to work and learn together in a supportive environment. Five groups are provided by Restore and the other two by our partners, Root and Branch and Bridewell Organic Gardens. Services were evenly distributed across the county for the first time this financial year. The Orchard, our North Oxfordshire Recovery Group, moved into new premises (pictured right) with more space, which allowed the group to expand in order to meet increasing demand. The group hosted a packed celebratory event in February, and the new building was officially opened by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Penelope Glen. Our new service model is more user-led than the previous services. Members decide and plan activities and tasks including gardening, woodwork, arts and crafts. Through these activities members are supported to develop skills and confidence and contribute to the community. We enable people to set their own goals and to achieve them. Henry, a member of the Elder Stubbs Recovery Group, explains: “Before we were making some money but now there’s a lot more input from us – we have planning days, we dream up schemes and we have to make them work. It’s so much more fun, if nothing else. You can do it, because you have to. The sense of pride in what we do here now feels like it comes from the bottom up. “Another big difference is that service users are recycled into volunteers. Who wants to do a job without prospects? I know now that if I’m well enough, one day I can progress somewhere – there’s a purpose to it within the project.” Working together towards recovery “Although change is always challenging, we had few teething problems and our first year of the new service was successful.”

Transcript of Oxfordshire 'Charity of the Year' 2011 - Restore

We could not haveachieved the Charity ofthe Year Award withoutthe support of ourmembers, volunteers,supporters and fundersso thank you to all of you.More than 400

people attended theawards event held byOxfordshire Communityand Voluntary Actionat Oxford Town Hall.The contribution of40 of the country’svolunteers was alsorecognised withindividual certificatesbeing presented toeach person by PenelopeGlen, High Sheriff ofOxfordshire. Amongthose celebrated wasPat Armstrong,who has volunteeredfor more than 14 years

for Restore at theElder Stubbs Festival.A retired teacher, Pathas been a wonderfulambassador for Restoreand for those whoexperience mental healthproblems in Oxfordshire.Pat says:”I originally became

involved because Ihave a close relativewith mental healthproblems. Restore islike a lifeboat. It offerssuch tremendous hopefor people who havemental health issuesand encourages themto stretch their potential.It’s great that Restorehas been awardedCharity of the Year.”Benedict Leigh,

Restore ChiefExecutive agrees:

“The award is abrilliant recognition ofall of the hard workthat all our members,volunteers and staffhave put in over the lastyear. Restore wouldn’texist without peoplelike Pat, so we areparticularly happy tosee her commitmentrecognised.”In further recognition

of Restore’s work,we were one of threeorganisations shortlistedfor the Oxford TimesCharity and CommunityAward at the OxfordshireBusiness Awards inJune 2011. A videoof our work was shownto the 500 guests atthe awards ceremonyat the Oxford FourPillars hotel.

Restore wins the Charity of the Year Award at the Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards

Annual Reviewrestoreworking for mental health 2011/12

Volunteer Pat Armstrong (far left) with staff from Restore, OCVA and Blake Lapthorn

“We could not have achieved the award withoutour members, volunteers, supporters andfunders, so thank you to all of you.”

www.restore.org.uk � 0845 250 0518 � [email protected]

Oxfordshire‘Charity of theYear’2011

We have now completed the first year of our new recovery service, which was launched in March 2011

Although change isalways challenging,there were fewerteething problems thananticipated and it wasa successful year.Our members (peoplewho use the service),volunteers and staffadapted well to newways of working.Seven recovery

groups across thecounty provide theopportunity for peoplewith mental healthproblems to work andlearn together in asupportive environment.Five groups are providedby Restore and the othertwo by our partners,

Root and Branch andBridewell OrganicGardens.Services were evenly

distributed across thecounty for the first timethis financial year. TheOrchard, our NorthOxfordshire RecoveryGroup, moved into newpremises (pictured right)with more space, whichallowed the group toexpand in order to meetincreasing demand. Thegroup hosted a packedcelebratory event inFebruary, and the newbuilding was officiallyopened by the HighSheriff of Oxfordshire,Penelope Glen.

Our new servicemodel is more user-ledthan the previousservices. Membersdecide and planactivities and tasksincluding gardening,woodwork, arts andcrafts. Through theseactivities members aresupported to developskills and confidenceand contribute to thecommunity. We enablepeople to set their owngoals and to achievethem. Henry, a memberof the Elder StubbsRecovery Group,explains:

“Before we weremaking some money

but now there’s a lotmore input from us – wehave planning days, wedream up schemes andwe have to make themwork. It’s so much morefun, if nothing else. Youcan do it, because youhave to. The sense ofpride in what we do herenow feels like it comesfrom the bottom up.

“Another big differenceis that service users arerecycled into volunteers.Who wants to do a jobwithout prospects? Iknow now that if I’m wellenough, one day I canprogress somewhere –there’s a purpose to itwithin the project.”

Working together towards recovery

“Although change is alwayschallenging, we had few teethingproblems and our first year of thenew service was successful.”

and Alison Blight,Chair of Trustees

by Benedict Leigh,Chief Executive

INTRODUCTION

Our year in brief

Our services

� We trained 347 people tobe mental health first aiders.

� We have now trained 819members of the public tobe Mental Health First Aidersin total.

This has been a goodyear for Restore. We havefaced rising demand forour services, a muchtougher economic climateand complicated changesto funding. It is within thiscontext that Restore hasbeen able to open a newrecovery service, expandservices outside Oxford,work in partnership tosupport smaller localmental health charitiesand increase the numberof people with whomwe work.We're really pleased

with the success of ouremployment work. Wesupported 65 people toget paid work and we’vesupported 50 people tostart volunteering or awork placement.Of course work is not

the only determinant ofrecovery and Restorefocuses on supportingpeople to achievepersonal outcomes in awide range of ways. Thisyear we enabled peopleto achieve almost fivethousand personalrecovery goals such asstarting a new activityor learning a skill. Manypeople were supportedto write and use personalrecovery plans.Restore always works

with a diverse rangeof people acrossOxfordshire. For thelast five years we haveworked hard to expandthe reach and range ofour services. This yearover 22% of our clientsare from a black / minorityethnic community.In addition to our work

with Restore members,

we also work to combatstigma and discriminationin the community. Wehave now trained nearlya thousand members ofthe public to be MentalHealth First Aiders andsupport people in mentalhealth crisis.The impact of

volunteers on ourservices is immense.In 2011-12 volunteershave contributed overten thousand hours ofsupport. The contributionof volunteers to Restoreis vital – put simply wecouldn't do our workwithout them.The impact we have

on individuals’ lives andthe general health ofOxfordshire’s populationwould not be possiblewithout the support andinput of our statutory andvoluntary partners, ourcommissioners andfunders, as well as thewide range of mentalhealth and social careprofessionals who alsowork with and supportour members. Above allwe record our thanks toour members and clientswho make Restore whatwe are – we do hope youenjoy reading some oftheir inspiring stories inthis review.

“This yearvolunteers havecontributed10,194 hoursof support.We couldn’tdo our workwithout them.”

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1166%%

1144%%

2211%%

3322%%

This financial year Restore worked with 972 members withsignificant mental health problems.

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22% of our memberscame from a black /minority ethnic community.

44% of members usingour services were women.

89% of members were on the care programmeapproach*

*at the time of referral or for the durationof their use of our services.

Number ofmembers wesupported to get paid work.

� We enabled members toachieve 4,822 personalrecovery goals in a range of areas.

� We supported 681 membersto write and use personalrecovery plans.

13% of members using ourservices were supported intopaid work or volunteering.

Number of memberswe supported to start volunteering or a work placement.

65 50

To refer yourself or someone else, call 0845 250 0518, email [email protected] or visit www.restore.org.uk

Recovery groupsWe run recovery groups for people with mentalhealth problems across Oxfordshire. Activities aredecided by group members and may includewoodwork, gardening, IT, cooking, customer service,ceramics, design, printing, art and creative crafts.

CoachingWe provide one-to-one coaching support to help people with mental health problems findemployment or start volunteering.

TrainingWe train managers, health professionals andmembers of the public to provide mental healthfirst aid for people experiencing mental distress.

To refer yourself or someone else, call 0845 250 0518, email [email protected] or visit www.restore.org.uk

“At my first meeting with my employmentspecialist I knew I’d found a usefulresource. He wasclearly very knowledge-able, keeping up to date with new thinkingin recruitment, the jobmarket and possibleopportunities. He wasalso patient and treated me verymuch as an individual. “Again and again

I was made to go backto an application form I was working on

and write somethingrelevant in each andevery section. This wasagonising but ultimatelyit proved invaluable. I know this approachdirectly influenced mysuccess in securing my job with Oxford City Council, which I’menjoying a great deal.“Taking on this

new role has been an extremely steeplearning curve andthere were times I feltnothing short of panic.But I knew this was my

old problem with a lackof self-belief and nowwas the time to pushthrough and moveforward in life. “It’s probably no

exaggeration to say that things havechanged beyondrecognition since I secured this job.Although I was proud of what I achieved in a voluntary role, I feel more confidentand as if I’m makingmore of a contribution.”

Recognition for our coaching team

“The Restore Individual Placement and

Support (IPS) service is a model of

collaborative work with a substantial

investment in relationships with clinical

teams. The approach resulted in a high

performing clinical service with

impressive achievements… 44% of clients

were employed during the study period,

which is three times more than the 14%

achieved in the most recent UK study

on IPS.” Professor Tom BurnsDepartment of Psychiatry, Oxford University

Our employment specialists provide one-to-one support to help people with mental health problems find employment. They use the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. The focus is not just on getting a job, but also on improving people’s employability and independence, as well as their self-efficacy.

Congratulations to EmploymentSpecialist Pamie Green who won theemployment category at the South CentralImproving Access toPsychological Therapies(IAPT) Emerald Awards in June 2011. Pamie is in her second year of supporting clients from Talking Space,

an Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trustservice. Talking Spaceworks with peoplestruggling withdepression and anxiety,helping them moveforward and recoverusing psychologicaltherapies. Clients arereferred to Pamie whosupports them to stay in work.

Award winning staff

“I have severe,recurring depressionand I am physicallydisabled. I didn’t wantsympathy from myemployment specialistbut empathy and that is what she provided.She helped me buildmy confidence duringthe process ofdeveloping my CV. She taught me you can have more thanone CV and that it’simportant to tailor it to the job you’reapplying for. The result is a piece ofwork that I’m proud of. “It’s been tough

applying for work but my employmentspecialist is really good

at encouraging me andeasing my self-doubt.That support keeps megoing, reminding methat I can do it and that I’ll get there in the end.

I am impressed that thesupport continues evenwhen you get a job.Restore helps you in every way they can.”

Julie knows she’ll get there in the end

Andrew is proud of securing work

“I am impressed that the support continues even when you get a job. Restore helps you in every way they can.”

“It’s probably no exaggeration to say that things have changed beyond recognition since I secured this job… I feel more confident and as if I’m making more of a contribution.”

© Brian A Jackson / istockphoto.com

© pixsooz / istockphoto.com

Employment assistance for recovery groups

Feel better outside: feel better inside

A new area we havedeveloped this year is offering one-to-oneemployment assistance to members in each of our seven recovery groups acrossOxfordshire.Employment specialistFiona Walker has beensupporting groupmembers into trainingand employment. Somemembers then leave therecovery group while

others continue to attendtheir group while makinga first step into trainingand employment.Working with sevengroups has been alogistical challenge forFiona but in this first yearshe has worked with 178members either on an adhoc or regular basis.Some members havegained paid jobs, whilemany others haveattended interviews or

completed work trials. Members have alsoshown great interest intraining and particularly IT, literacy and numeracy.Other membersundertook professionaltraining including anAccess to HigherEducation course, a foundation degree inAnimal Behaviour andWelfare and a Level 2 NVQ Certificate inCustomer Service.

Members also attended a range of recreationalcourses includinganimation, cookery,jewellery and journalism.Some members whostarted courses this year had not previouslyattended any classes since school, which makes their achieve-ments all the moreimpressive.

New work supporting recovery group members into training and employment proves successful

“My psychiatristreferred me to Restoreabout a year ago. I’d stopped usingheroin about sixmonths before andwas having problemswith depression andparanoid thoughts. I spent most of the week at homesleeping; I wouldn’t go out. I had no drive, no motivation, no confidence. “I was verydisengaged when I first came. I didn’t feel comfortable beingopen with people I didn’t know. Then one day I overdid it and exhausted myself.I wanted to go homebut the staffencouraged me to stay.It was a real turningpoint. I realised themore I opened up, themore support I got. It helped me at homeand improved myrelationship with mymum. I started lookingforward to going toRestore – I felt therewas a real benefit to it. “Fiona, theemployment specialist, gave me theconfidence to try newthings and opened my

eyes to other avenues.She suggested I try a vegetarian cookerycourse. I used what I’dlearnt to cook for thegroup at Restore andpeople said it waslovely, so that built myconfidence. When Ifinished the course, I felt I’d achievedsomething. I’d nevercompleted anythingbefore. “Fiona has nowsupported me to start a computer course and I’ve applied to be a volunteer at Restore. She told me about anopportunity at the FolkFestival to volunteer and get some soundengineeringexperience. Restorehas been brilliant for bringing back apositive routine in mylife and helping mywellbeing.”

The community gardensare open to the public,providing a welcomingspace for the localcommunity anddisplaying the skills and talents of peoplewho have experienced mental illness. Funded by Ecominds, the community gardens

project enabled 67people to improve theirmental and physicalwellbeing by workingtogether outside,developing new skillsand gaining pride in theirachievements. The FleetMeadow team built apergola, a pond and araised sensory garden

for people with physicaldisabilities. The Beehiveteam’s plans wereinfluenced by the skills of volunteers andmembers. Together they built a gazebo, a willow dome and a mosaic bench. Helen worked with the Fleet Meadow

community garden andhas now moved on topaid work:

“I was in a terrible state when I first came to Restore but thegarden has been a good distraction, that’swhy I kept coming. I did something with myday and that felt good.Restore played a largepart in preparing me forreturn to work – havingstructure here meant Iwas better able to copewith the working day, and all the activitiesstimulated my mind andbuilt up my confidence.’

Our Didcot and Oxford groups have built community gardens for everyone to enjoy.

“I was told aboutRestore because I hada breakdown and wasvery depressed. I triedto commit suicidetwice. As soon as Icame here I knew itwas the place for me. It helps me mentally –clears my mind, keepsit occupied and allowsme to achieve things. It keeps me going. “We’ve got lots ofplans for thecommunity garden, lotsof ideas. I asked ascaffolding company ifwe could have theirboards and they

donated them free ofcharge. I helped takedown the old chalet. A team of five of ustied ropes to it andpulled it down – itcollapsed easily as itwas rotten. It was agood team effort andwe had a bit of a laughwhen two of us fellover! I’ve also beeninvolved in thepanelling for thegazebo, which will be great when it’sfinished. On a hot day, it’s one place you will want to be!”

“As soon as I came here, I knew it wasthe place forme… it clearsmy mind, keepsit occupied”

Andy has a growingsense of achievement

Sam now has a positiveroutine in his life

Feel better outside: feel better inside

Our training wins national awards at the House of LordsRecognition for the quality of our mental health first aid training

This year Restore’sMental Health First AidCoordinator Bruce Gorriewas recognised with twonational awards fromMental Health First Aid (MHFA) England.Restore was also overall winner in theorganisational category.Bruce and Restore ChiefExecutive Benedict Leighattended the awardsceremony, which washeld at the House ofLords in January. Bruce says,

“We were delighted to

receive three awardsfrom MHFA England. It is particularly gratifyingthat Restore is beingrecognised for our workwith hard-to-reachmigrant communities:these were verychallenging andrewarding courses. The response illustratesthe profound impact ofthe course and the needfor MHFA among thesecommunities.” Mental Health First Aid is the help given tosomeone experiencing

a mental health problembefore professional helpis obtained. Bruce, whoformerly used Restore’semployment service,draws on his ownexperiences in deliveringthe training. This yearRestore trained 347people to be mentalhealth first aiders. We have now trained a total of 819 people to be Mental Health First Aiders and support people in mental health crisis.

“It was dauntingcoming to Restore forthe first time. I wasrarely leaving homeand was anxious aboutbeing around people.Coming on women’sday made it easier.“Restore supportedme to startvolunteering. As part ofthe role, I stand up andspeak in front of agroup of people, whichis something I neverthought I’d be able todo. The first few timeswere completely nerve-wracking but I wantedto get over my fear ofpeople and now it’s abit easier. And I starteda part-time job workingwith animals a month

ago – I really love it.“I told the employmentspecialist about myregret that I didn’t go touniversity because Iwas hospitalised andcouldn’t complete my‘A’ levels. Sheencouraged me toapply and looked over my application. I got a place starting in September.“There are still gooddays and bad days; I’m not completelythere yet. I still come to Restore once a weekso I can get supportwhen I need it. Restore has beenreally helpful for me.It’s boosted my self-confidence and I’ve

made friends with othermembers. I was askedto be on the interviewpanel for recruiting newstaff last week. I don’t know who was morenervous: me or theinterviewees! But it’sencouraging to haveyour skills andstrengths recognised.”

“It’s boosted myself-confidenceand I’ve madefriends with other members…it’s encouragingto have yourskills andstrengthsrecognised.”

This year Activate!supported 497 memberswith mental healthproblems acrossOxfordshire to take part in sport and physicalactivities. Funded by The Big Lottery FundChances4Changeprogramme, the projectpromoted the benefits ofexercise to people withmental health problemsand facilitated a range ofsports activities. We alsoworked with mainstreamfacilities to make themmore accessible and tochallenge stigma anddiscrimination. Theproject came to an end in January, after beingfunded for a further sixmonths by Oxfordshire

Primary Care Trust.An evaluation of theservice showed thatpeople felt it hadimproved their health,confidence, and lifestyle.One member saidActivate! helped with“staying physically activewhen unwell” Another

explained, “the chance to do things I would notbe able to afford, to getout of the city into thecountryside, has a hugebenefit to my mentalhealth and wellbeing”.In summary, membersinvolved in Activate!reported a significantincrease in exerciserates from exercisingless than one day a week to exercising more than 3 days a week and a 32%increase in measuredpersonal wellbeing.

Activating mentalwellbeingLooking back on a project that improved members’ health and confidence

Membersinvolved inActivate! reporteda significantincrease inexercise rates…and a 32%increase inmeasuredpersonalwellbeing.

Natalie is doing things shenever thought she’d do

© Arthur Carlo Franco / istockphoto.com

Café bakers rise to the occasion on TVRestore’s Garden Café was thrilled to be featured in a special edition of the BBC’s Great British Bake-Off

In the week-long seriescelebrities took up thebaking challenge in aid of Sport Relief. TheGarden Café, which ispartly funded by ComicRelief, was included as an example of howdonations are used.Known locally for itsdelicious homemadegoods our café was a perfect choice for the popular bakingprogramme. For Restore receivingpositive publicity fromnational TV coveragewas the icing on the cake!

Filming took place inearly November withpresenter Mel Giedroycremaining unfazed bystarstruck Restore staffhanging around for aslice of the action. Café

member Jeremy showedMel how to make hismelt-in-the-mouthlavender shortbread.Then Michaeldemonstrated his seedy flapjack recipe,explaining that onecustomer thought hisflapjacks were betterthan the ones fromHarrods! Mel spent most of theday chatting to members,staff and customers andsaid, “The café strikes a brilliant balance. Thepeople who work here get a lot out of it and I’veeaten some of the most

delicious baked goods that I’ve had in a long time.”The café has supported 31 membersduring the last year ofthe Comic Relief grant,enabling them to takepart in training, gainqualifications in cateringand hygiene and moveon to paid work orvolunteering. “The café strikes a brilliant

balance. The people who workhere get a lot out of it, and I’veeaten some of the most deliciousbaked goods that I’ve had in along time.”

In February Restore took part in what webelieved was a Channel4 documentary aboutfood and communities.On the last day of filmingit was revealed that theprogramme was actuallyChannel 4's The SecretMillionaire. Our taxidriver visitor ‘Nad’confessed that he was in fact chef andentrepreneur, ArfanRazak, known as Raz. He was moved by his experience ofvolunteering at theGarden Cafe and ElderStubbs groups andgave Restore agenerous donation. Raz was drawn toRestore’s work withpeople with mental

health issues becausehis mother suffered from depression. Before revealing his trueidentity the undercovermillionaire volunteered at Restore’s GardenCafé and Elder StubbsRecovery Group andinterviewed members.Raz said: “SupportingRestore is a hugehonour for me. We gothrough life with its upsand downs. Sometimeswe need help andsupport but we don’t

always get it. What Ifound at Restore was an oasis giving people at their lowest ebb ahelping hand, a smileand encouragement thatlife will get better, slowly.

“I wish Restore hadbeen in Nottingham tohelp me and my mum. I know from personalexperience that the workRestore does makes ahuge difference to thosewith mental illness andthe people around them.They simply save lives!”

This wonderful Restore donor cooked up a big surprise for us!

“I started at Restoreafter being dischargedfrom the AdolescentUnit at WarnefordHospital, which was the first time I’d beenaway from my parents. “I liked Restore the

first time I came here;

everyone was sowelcoming. The firstperson I met wasanother member whotalked to me about what the charity is andwhat people do here. “I come twice a week.

It’s something to lookforward to and it’sbetter than being stuckat home. I’ve done a bitof everything – wood-work, gardening,working on the gazeboand the willow dome.I’ve learnt new skills

and got a first aidqualification. I would goin late when I was atcollege but I don’t dothat here because Ican’t get away with it!“I’ve got a better

outlook on the future now. I’ll get supportfrom Restore when I’mready to look for work. I would like to thankeveryone at Restore fortheir care and support – I wouldn't have hadsuch a speedy recoverywithout them.”

“I liked Restore the first time I came here; everyone was so welcoming.”

“What I found at Restore was an oasis giving people at theirlowest ebb a helping hand, asmile and encouragement thatlife will get better, slowly.”

Members train as leadersSpeaking out against stigma and discriminationRestore ran a leadershiptraining programme,which was funded by an anti-stigma grantprovided by Time toChange. The aim of the training was toenable a group ofRestore members to develop the skillsnecessary to set up and become leaders of community groups. Ten trainees with severeand enduring mentalhealth problemsattended the training.They completed the two-day nationally accreditedMental Health First Aidtraining course followedby a 10-day training

programme to developthe skills, knowledge andself-belief necessary tobecome leaders. As partof the training the groupvisited Mind services,Oxfordshire CountyCouncil and WarnefordHospital. For mostmembers it was the firstopportunity to return asvisitors to the Hospitalwhere they hadpreviously been patients. The traineesare now committed totransforming theirnegative experiences of mental illness intopositive messages thatwill inspire others tospeak out and raise

awareness in the widercommunity. Membershave attended service-user conferences andspoken of their personalexperiences to groups of up to 70 people, forexample at a CherwellCounty Council-ledcommunity awarenessevent. Two membershave set up their ownuser-led projects.

Danny has a better outlook Restore’s undercovervisitor likes what he sees

The trainees arenow committedto transformingtheir negativeexperiences ofmental illness

Our volunteers make our work possible

20 years of the Elder Stubbs FestivalRestore’s largest community event celebrated its twentieth year in August

Restore’s investments inrecruiting, training, andsupporting volunteers has resulted in more than 10,000 hours ofvolunteer support acrossour services over theyear. Our VolunteerCoordinator recruits bothformer members ready to move on and thegeneral public tovolunteer at Restore.Volunteers providesupport in diverse waysincluding supportingrecovery groupmembers, helping write

funding applications,assisting with the ElderStubbs Festival, baking cakes, jumping out ofaeroplanes and runningour reception desk.Thank you to all Restorevolunteers for your time, dedication andwillingness to share yourskills and knowledge. If you are interested in volunteering withRestore please contact the volunteercoordinator on 0845 250 0518 or [email protected]

The Festival is organisedby Restore’s members,volunteers and staff inpartnership with ElderStubbs Charity. Itshowcases the talentsand skills of people withmental health problems,challenging stigma andmisconceptions. Theevent also provides a valuable forum forother mental healthorganisations and

community groups.More than 3,000 peopleattended the anniversaryevent to enjoy live musicand community stallsamong the vegetablepatches and fruit trees.This year’s attractionsincluded a reggae tent,jazz piano, bouncy castle and pony rides. Pianist Nick Gill addedan air of sophistication tothe tea room with upbeat

melodies from the JazzAge. Nick, who waspreviously a member of our Elder Stubbsrecovery group and is now a Restorevolunteer says:“Elder Stubbs has a veryhelpful, natural feel aboutit. It’s a model for howthe rest of society couldbe if you want to makethe world a happierplace. I have been a jazz

musician for most of myadult life. Elder Stubbsgave me the strengthand inspiration to getback into playing again.I'm enjoying my workmore than ever and have found a rich newvein of creativity. Comingthrough a mental illnesscan help to focus themind on what reallymatters in life.”

“At Restore membersand staff care for eachother with sincerity andhumanity. The recoverygroups engagemembers in meaningfulwork with useful,supportive feedback.Those are reasons whywe volunteers can neversay enough good thingsabout Restore.“I love baking so it was

my pleasure to cook and bake in the GardenCafé. I'd never admit tohow little I knew aboutcooking but I learned. I taught bread baking – we got up to ourelbows in dough forcinnamon buns and I met some wonderful,interesting people. But most importantly, I worked on achieving

the challenging balancethat any volunteer needsto find between thedesire to ‘help’ and the members' goal of regaining self-sufficiency throughongoing mental healthchallenges. Volunteeringat Restore has been an education, great funand an inspiration.”

Restore’s remarkable year of achievements was only possible thanks to our dedicated volunteers

Danny has a better outlook

Mara had a lot of fun and learned new skills

Susan enjoys contributing

“It’s goodbeing avolunteer –it gives you a purpose in life.” “I’m a retired GP and I was a member ofElder Stubbs on andoff for a long time,starting when I washospitalised withsevere depression. It’s good being a

volunteer – it gives you a purpose in life.You’re contributingsomething valuableand useful to otherpeople. I’ve alwaysbeen a gardener and I know what needsdoing and how toorganise it. I have to be strict with myselfhere so I’m not playingthe part of the doctor. I try to be a listener, not be dogmatic andtell people what to do!”

restoreworking for mental health

Restore is an Oxfordshire charity that supports people with mental health issues to dothe things that they want to do. We provide training, encouragement, a supportiveenvironment, one-to-one support and the chance to achieve. If you or someone youknow would benefit from our services, please get in touch.

Contact usManzil Way, Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1YH

T. 0845 250 0518

F. 01865 455 834

E. [email protected]

Find us on Facebook/Twitter @RestoreCharity

www.restore.org.uk

We would like to thankall our funders andsupporters who makeour work possibleincluding our Friendswho are too numerousto list here.Arfan Razak

Ammco Trust

Awards for All (BigLottery Fund)

Banbury Charities

Banbury Town Council

Bartlett Taylor Trust

Bidwells CommunityFund

Charity of ThomasDawson

Comic Relief

Co-operative CommunityFund

Ecominds (Big LotteryFund)

Elder Stubbs Charity

Feoffees of St Michael'sand All Saints Charity

Garfield WestonFoundation

Grey Court Trust

Hubert Blake CharitableTrust

H W Rothschild

Janet McCrae

Learning and SkillsCouncil

MacTaggart Trust

Oxford Christadelphians

Oxfordshire Communityand Voluntary Action

Oxford City Council

Oxfordshire CountyCouncil

Oxfordshire EconomicPartnership

Oxfordshire Primary CareTrust

The Parochial ChurchCouncil of St. Nicholas’,Marston

South Central HealthAuthority

Tanner Trust

The Green Room, Wiley

Waitrose

W E Lawrence CharitableTrust

Donations in memory ofRob and Peggy Langford,Jeanne Bliss and PhilJackson

Wedding gift donationsfrom friends and family ofHelen and David Reid

Sharon has learned to value every day

“Life was very dark. I didn't go out and I didn'tlike being around people. I spent a lot of my time in bed. I didn't wash, or dress or take care of myself. I just wanted to be by myself in thehouse where I felt safe.Outside was a very scaryplace. I totally shut offfrom everything – I didn't watch the news or readnewspapers.“My first impression ofRestore was that therewere loads of people. I remember looking at their faces andscreaming inside. I wasshown around and metthe staff but I just wantedto leave. But I wentregularly and I made a bond with the staff. I trusted them, which was a huge thing for me.

They always had smilingfaces and if I wanted totalk they would sit withme but they knew If Iwanted to be left alone.They taught me newskills and helped me talk to other members.“I learnt that I couldcope around others andthere was no need for me to be scared. I alsolearnt new skills such aspottery and woodwork. I remember making myfirst wooden box with a dolphin on top. I was so proud of myself.“With Restore’s support I decided to follow mydreams and take acollege course in nailtechnology. My collegetutor put me in for anaward, which I won. I also started working as a carer in a nursing

home, which I neverthought I would be ableto do again. Now I workfull time. My plans for the future are to set upmy own nail salon andmaybe do an NVQ 3 in social care so I can be a care leader, whichwill involve being incharge of a unit.“I have come a long way and I now live lifewith the attitude that I willmake the most of everysingle day. I don't mindtalking about my illnessand how I got through it because I want to beable to say to someonewho is suffering that I amproof that things can getbetter with support andwith the courage to take tiny steps.”

“I want to be able to say tosomeone who is sufferingthat I am proof that thingscan get better with supportand with the courage to taketiny steps.”

Thank you!

Restore finances 2011/12A year of continued growth – thanks to our funders and supporters!

Total incoming resources haveincreased during the year to£1,234,235 compared with£1,127,246 the previous year.Resources expended alsoincreased to £1,226,504 (2011:£1,098,718). After a small gain of£6,802 on Investment Assets thesurplus for the year was £14,623. Our principal funding sourceduring the year was theOxfordshire Mental Health Pooled

Budget (NHS Oxfordshire andOxfordshire County Council). We have also had generoussupport from a range of otherorganisations and continue to raise the profile of Restore. The support of all our funders and supporters is vital to ourcontinuing growth and success. A combination of fundraising,prudent management and timingof donations have created the

small surplus on the year’s activity.However, we need to continue to fundraise and, when applyingfor grant funding, seek full costrecovery and remain vigilant in the constant battle to preventcosts creeping up.A full copy of our financialstatements is available on our website.

Restore cost£1,261 perpersonsupported and£11.15 per hourof recoverysupport.

Expenditure

� Grants: £1,008,200

� Sales: £68,677

� Voluntary income: £118,638

� Activities for generating funds: £9,715� Interest income: £1,919

� Rental income: £27,176

Income

� Charitable activities: £1,213,089

� Costs of generatingvoluntary income: £10,458

� Governance costs: £2,957

Made up of:

Oxfordshire:£154,315

Oxford City:£452,487

West & Cherwell:£349,304

South & Vale:£256,983

Many thanks to all of our contributors to this Annual Review

Restore is a Registered Charity, Number 274222. Copyright © 2012 Restore Printed on recycled paper. Designed and edited by www.goodthinkingcommunications.net Photographs: Ben Mostyn, Chris Fulton, Anna Brewster and Natty Mark (unless otherwise stated). Some photographs used are only representational to preserve privacy.

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