Restore - working for mental health

Introduction to ORC
2025-12-15 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-12 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | 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.

Music, Mood and Wellbeing
2025-12-16 10:00 - 13:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
A One Part In Person course. Music is around us everywhere we go and impacts how we feel everyday. This course discusses the link between music and emotion, looks at what happens in our body and brain when we listen to music, and explores the link between music and our sense of identity. We will share ideas within the group for using music to promote our wellbeing.

Winter wellbeing Event
2025-12-17 14:00 | ORC at Didcot Civic Hall, Britwell Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7JN, United Kingdom
At the end of each term we offer an informal workshop which provides an opportunity to take part in a creative activity and a chance to reflect on the term gone by. These workshops are more informal than other courses and aim to build on a sense of connection within our ORC community

Winter wellbeing Event
2025-12-17 14:00 - 16:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom

Understanding Bipolar Disorder
2026-01-13 10:00 - 13:00 | 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.

Structure and Routine for Positive Change
2026-01-13 13:00 - 16:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
On this course we will discuss how structure and routine help us to feel safe, create healthy habits and move towards ourpersonal goals. We will explore how to set realistic goals for making positive changes and share lots of strategies to help you create a routine which works for you.

MHFA Refresher - 14th Jan
2026-01-14 09:30 - 14:00 | Location: Online
This online, four hour MHFA Refresher maintains your accreditation as a Mental Health First Aider, with the ability to recognise the signs of mental ill health, provide support, and guidance towards professional help.

Coping with Stress and Anxiety (Part 1)
2026-01-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online
This course aims to increase understanding about anxiety and stress and how to manage it better. We work together to describe what stress and anxiety is and explore what our shared and unique reactions to it can be. We focus on identifying and testing out appropriate tools for coping with stress and anxiety. We explore the concepts of re-framing and affirmations and try out some grounding exercises.

What is Mental Health?
2026-01-15 13:00 - 16:00 | 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.

Men, Mental Health and Society (Part 1)
2026-01-16 10:00 - 13:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
This course explores why men may find it harder to talk about their mental health or seek help, the impact of how we use language and the stigma around men’s mental health. It is suitable for anyone interested in the effects of gender on our mental health.

Introduction to Mindfulness (Part 1)
2026-01-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online
This course gives students an overview and a felt experience of the core principles of mindfulness – the practice of bringing awareness to our present moment experience with kindness rather than judgement. We explore the proven benefits of mindfulness, as well as advice about when it may not be so useful.This is an introductory course which offers tips for mindfulness in everyday life, as well as signposting information if anyone wants to learn more.

Self Compassion Skills (Part 1)
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:30 | 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 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).

Self Compassion Skills (Part 1)
2026-01-19 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).

Healthy Sleep (Part 1)
2026-01-20 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online
This course explores what healthy sleep is and offers some positive tips for improving sleep. In Part 2 , we look in more depth at how sleep affects our mental health and share further strategies to try out, as well as signposting ideas

Journaling for Wellbeing
2026-01-20 13:00 - 16:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
In this course we discuss how journaling in its widest sense (recording some aspects of our day to day experiences) supports wellbeing by helping us gain perspective on our lives, notice what’s good and focus on what is meaningful to us. Students will be introduced to both bullet journaling and scrapbook journaling and have the opportunity to experiment with different methods and materials ( which will be provided) to find a way of journaling which works for them

Managing Self Doubt (Part 1)
2026-01-21 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online
(3 Parts Online) This course is for anyone keen to learn more about self-doubt and how to live with it better. Self doubt feeds anxiety and can have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing. Together we explore the impacts it can have and what 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.

Writing for Self Expression (Part 1)
2026-01-21 14:00 - 15:30 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
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.

Coping with Stress and Anxiety (Part 2)
2026-01-22 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online
This course aims to increase understanding about anxiety and stress and how to manage it better.

Sharing Personal Information at Work
2026-01-22 13:00 - 16:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
This course helps individuals to think about whether sharing information about their health with an employer is the right thing for them.

Men, Mental Health and Society (Part 2)
2026-01-23 10:00 - 13:00 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom

Introduction to Mindfulness (Part 2)
2026-01-23 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online

Self Compassion Skills (Part 2)
2026-01-26 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-01-26 14:00 - 16:30 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom

Healthy Sleep (Part 2)
2026-01-27 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online

Understanding Trauma (Part 1)
2026-01-27 13:00 - 16:00 | 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.

Mental Health First Aid - 28th & 29th Jan; 3rd & 5th Feb
2026-01-28 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

Managing Self Doubt (Part 2)
2026-01-28 10:30 - 12:00 | Location: Online

Understanding Confidence
2026-01-28 13:00 - 16:00 | ORC at Didcot Civic Hall, Britwell Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7JN, United Kingdom
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

Writing for Self Expression (Part 2)
2026-01-28 14:00 - 15:30 | The Straw Bale, Restore, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1YH, United Kingdom
