A little more about our Littlemore Recovery Project

Our Littlemore Recovery Project provides a unique setting: A Café and Shop onsite at Littlemore Mental Health Centre on Sandford Road, Oxford. Here, we offer a therapeutic work environment that offers supported opportunities to socialise, develop confidence and gain new skills in catering and customer service. Our Members work together to run the Café and Shop, with a choice of activities including: cooking and baking; barista coffee making; customer service; shop management; receiving supplies and stock taking and the opportunity to attend a Food Hygiene Course and gain a useful qualification.

Our Shop front at Littlemore Hospital

Here’s one of our Members, Luke, running our Shop this morning:

This is what Luke said about his first-hand experience at Restore:

I’ve been working here for 19 months now. Coming to Restore has helped me a lot with my self-esteem and confidence, and I’ve got experience now in catering and customer service, including using the Barista coffee machine! I’d say that Restore really is a place that breaks down the negative stigma around mental health.

I’ve also benefitted from the Restore’s coaching and employment service, as my coach helped me to find a local writing group, which has been brilliant for me – I’m now working on a novel for children.

Restore’s Littlemore Project began in 2013, in partnership with the Thames Valley Forensic Service, with the aim of providing a therapeutic environment and work-like setting for patients, with little or no leave to the community. We also provide opportunities for people in the community with mental health issues, as well as residents in Response supported housing.

In 2018, this is how we supported some of our 39 members at Littlemore:

• 2 members moved into paid employment
• 4 members moved into voluntary work
• 4 members moved into another Restore Recovery Project, based in the community
• 1 member enrolled in Recovery College courses

Here’s what another recent member had to say about their experience at Littlemore:

The Restore staff are helpful in so many positive ways. Suffering from anxiety and the negative effects of my illness, I have been taught by members of staff to take one step at a time. I feel I am managing my illness by taking on working tasks I would not have dreamt of – things that were out of my comfort zone.

Our Littlemore Café is open Mon-Fri 10am – 1.30pm and our Shop, providing those everyday essentials, is open 10am – 2.30pm (both close at 12.30pm on a Tuesday). Why not pop in and grab a takeaway coffee, homemade brownie or a delicious hot panini? We have some great second-hand books on sale too in our cosy Café and a rail of ‘new to you’ clothes. Come and have a browse!

To refer yourself to our Projects or employment coaching service, or to find out more, email:
[email protected]
Or phone us on: 01865 455823