Thinking about Thinking (Part 1)
2026-04-30 13:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
This course is an introduction to how we as individuals think about thinking, and will help students to explore and understand more about this subject.

Understanding Trauma (Part 1)
2026-05-01 10:00 - 13:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
Experiencing trauma can significantly impact our mental health, the way we function as human beings and our resilience to coping with stressful life events. This course looks at the impact of trauma on our brain and bodies and explores how we can learn to ground ourselves in the present and regulate our emotions. We look at trauma diagnoses in Week 2 and life after trauma in Week 3. On this course we share tips and strategies, but not details of what has happened to us.

Self Compassion Skills (Part 1)
2026-05-01 14:00 - 16:30 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
Compassion for ourselves and others can be hard to maintain when faced with hardship and mental health difficulties. In this small- group course, we will explore what compassion means, what can get in the way, and why compassion can help us. We will also develop practical skills such as grounding, breathing exercises, and compassionate voice and imagery. A therapy dog will be present in some sessions to support selected activities and discussions (but without becoming the primary focus of the work).

PLEASE NOTE: This is a newly developed course in collaboration with the University of Oxford, and has a RESEARCH COMPONENT consisting of questionnaires at the start and end of each session. The first questionnaire is longer and will take about 15-20 minutes to complete, subsequent questionnaires will be shorter and take no more than 5-10 minutes. The research explores whether the course is effective and whether the presence of a THERAPY DOG might impact this. The therapy dog will be randomly allocated to attend either the first three sessions for one group or only the last (fourth) session for the other group. Anyone who signs up to the course will be invited to take part in the research, and you will receive a full information sheet when signing up. You can still participate in the course if you decide you do not want to take part in the research (i.e. complete the questionnaires).

Boosting Confidence (Part 1)
2026-05-05 14:00 - 15:30 | Location: Online
Mental ill-health often leads to a loss of confidence, making it difficult for people to get the most out of their lives. We appreciate that developing or regaining confidence is an important part of many people’s recovery, This course will help you recognise your existing skills, and consider some practical ways to move forwards with increased confidence

Neurodivergence and Wellbeing (Part 1)
2026-05-05 18:30 - 20:30 | Location: Online
This course looks at how we can define neurodivergence and how it may affect our wellbeing. We introduce various strategies, and we explore how wellbeing is related to reaching our goals. We explore with each other things which impact neurodivergent individuals and how to support those individuals and those who care and work with them. This course is developed to provide a brief introduction into the extensive topic of neurodivergence.

Managing Self Doubt (Part 2 - In Person)
2026-05-06 13:00 - 16:00 | ORC at Restore Banbury, 28 Calthorpe Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 5EX, United Kingdom
This 2 part course is for anyone keen to learn more about self-doubt and how to live with it better. Self doubt feeds anxiety in a continuous cycle and can have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing. Together we explore what it is, the impacts it can have, and some things we can do to manage it. There is a practical emphasis and we hope that students will leave feeling more able to manage their own self-doubt, and/or to better support others who experience it.

Understanding Depression
2026-05-06 13:00 - 16:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
This course provides a chance to think about what depression is like and how it affects someone’s life, as well as an understanding of what causes depression and how to respond to it.

The course will examine personal experiences to illustrate that depression is not an isolated experience and that it is possible to recover and maintain wellbeing.

Writing for Self Expression (Part 3)
2026-05-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online
On this course we will listen to and talk about some poems and pieces of prose, before trying out some expressive writing of our own. Expressive writing is not creative writing or therapy, but a form of self-expression which helps a person to think about their life and put their thoughts and feelings into words with often surprising results. It is personal, freestyle writing that is not constrained by concerns about the ‘end result’ but fosters personal awareness, resilience and wellbeing.

Thinking about Thinking (Part 2)
2026-05-07 13:00 - 16:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
This course is an introduction to how we as individuals think about thinking, and will help students to explore and understand more about this subject. We will identify some common and potentially unhelpful thinking patterns which may impact our mental health negatively, and with greater understanding explore how we can adapt our thinking to promote our own wellbeing in a self- compassionate way

Introduction to ORC
2026-05-07 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-05-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Location: Online
This course is designed for all new students as part of the enrolment process. The course is designed to explain to students how ORC works, and to highlight some of the potential benefits of attending our courses. There is an opportunity to explore what ‘recovery’ means to us as individuals, and to think about what helps recovery. We will also spend some time considering next steps.

Understanding Trauma (Part 2)
2026-05-08 10:00 - 13:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom

Living with Social Anxiety (Part 1)
2026-05-08 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online
Social anxiety is the most common form of anxiety, and can have a substantial impact on our lives. This course explores what social anxiety is (and isn’t), and how it may arise. We explore strategies and tools to help us live better with social anxiety, plus ways to get more support. This is a welcoming course for anyone who sometimes struggles in social situations.

Self Compassion Skills (Part 2)
2026-05-08 14:00 - 16:30 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom

Mental Health First Aid - 12th, 14th, 19th, & 21st May
2026-05-12 09:30 - 13:00 | Location: Online
Four half-days, online. This accredited training enables you to become a Mental Health First Aider, with the ability to recognise the signs of mental ill health, provide support and guidance towards professional help.

Organiser

Boosting Confidence (Part 2)
2026-05-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Location: Online

Neurodivergence and Wellbeing (Part 2)
2026-05-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Location: Online

Introduction to ORC
2026-05-13 14:00 - 16:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom

Writing for Self Expression (Part 4)
2026-05-14 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online

Understanding Trauma (Part 3)
2026-05-15 10:00 - 13:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom

Living with Social Anxiety (Part 2)
2026-05-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online

Self Compassion Skills (Part 3)
2026-05-15 14:00 - 16:30 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
A Four Part In Person Course. Compassion for ourselves and others can be hard to maintain when faced with hardship and mental health difficulties. In this course, we will explore what compassion means, how compassion supports wellbeing and what can get in the way. We will work on practical skills such as grounding, breathing exercises, and compassionate voice and imagery. Some sessions will also have a therapy dog present. PLEASE NOTE: This is a newly developed course in collaboration with the University of Oxford and has a RESEARCH COMPONENT consisting of questionnaires at the start and end of each session. The research explores whether the course is effective and whether the presence of a THERAPY DOG might impact this. The therapy dog will be randomly allocated to attend either the first three sessions for one group or only the fourth session for the other group. Anyone who signs up to the course will be invited to take part in the research, and you will receive a full information sheet when signing up. You can attend this course EITHER morning or afternoon – please let us know if you have a preference.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder
2026-05-18 13:00 - 16:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
This course aims to increase understanding of Bipolar Disorder including its possible causes and symptoms, what it might be like to live with it and how we might define it. The course considers factors which help and hinder recovery, and aims to inspire students that recovery is possible and achievable. It considers the challenges of stigma and ways we might tackle it.

Tackling Stigma and Discrimination
2026-05-19 13:00 - 16:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
This course explores what stigma and discrimination are and how they may affect us. The course looks at actions we can take to challenge social stigma, discrimination in society and self-stigma, whilst keeping in mind our own wellbeing.

Mindful Photography
2026-05-19 14:00 - 16:00 | ORC at Restore Banbury, 28 Calthorpe Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 5EX, United Kingdom
In this workshop students have the opportunity to try out some mindful photography and share their responses. Mindful photography uses our own eyes and a camera lens (be it a smartphone or a camera) to help ground us in the present moment by looking more closely at the world around us. It encourages us to look non judgmentally, and can help change our perspective on ourselves and our environment by harnessing gratitude, self-compassion and a sense of awe and wonder.

Neurodivergence and Wellbeing (Part 3)
2026-05-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Location: Online

Mental Health First Aid - 20th & 27th May
2026-05-20 09:30 - 17:00 | Restore’s Training Room, Manzil Way, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
Two full days, in-person. This accredited training enables you to become a Mental Health First Aider, with the ability to recognise the signs of mental ill health, provide support and guidance towards professional help.

Location

Organiser

Exploring Nature and Wellbeing
2026-05-20 14:00 - 16:00 | ORC at The Warneford, Warneford Lane, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
This is an opportunity to visit the W200 Commemorative Therapy Garden which has been newly created on the front lawn of the Warneford Hospital. We will learn about the history of using nature in patient care , and then take part in some grounding activities using our senses to connect to nature around us. You need to make your own way to the Warneford for this workshop

Menopause and Mental Health
2026-05-21 13:00 - 16:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
This course explores what the menopause and perimenopause actually are, how they might affect the person experiencing it, and those around them, particularly in terms of mental wellbeing, and goes on to explore ways to live and cope with menopause day to day. It’s suitable for anyone wanting to understand more about this natural part of life.

What is Mental Health?
2026-05-22 10:00 - 13:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
This course explores what is meant by ‘mental health’ and what good mental health looks like. We consider how mental health problems may be diagnosed, or understood as part of our life experiences. The course explores the meaning of recovery and looks at support available on our recovery journey.
