One in four people in the UK will experience mental ill health in their lifetime. Last year, Restore supported several hundred people experiencing mental ill health. Helping a third of members into employment and a further third into volunteering or training. Together, we can achieve more and encourage a wider environment that is more positive, tolerant and supportive.

Right from my first day I was struck at how warm and supportive the atmosphere was. You can come in exactly how you are and you don’t have to mask how you’re doing. The staff there are genuinely some of the kindest most supportive people I’ve ever met. Nobody judges each other and although every members' struggle is different, you still all share a common understanding. I have learnt so many new creative skills and I have found and am still finding new and healthier ways to deal with my struggles. In ten years of therapy, this year at restore has been my first without hospitalisation. 

Restore combines art and gardening and woodwork etc. with goal planning and structured steps to move forwards; it also helps you with life skills and helps link you to any other support you may need. It is not a talking therapy, but the staff are incredible with the support they offer. It can be so hard to open up about your past or even just begin to voice how you’re feeling, so I think that is another reason why restore is so good. Sometimes words are too hard, so if you don’t want to talk then you don’t have to, you can express it in other ways. It gives you a sense of achievement when you have created something you’ve never tried before, it helps you to see that you actually do have capabilities and that you actually can find enjoyment in creating and in community. My voice matters here, and I feel like a real person instead of a problem. I think restore is a very healing environment; I cannot express enough just how healing it has been for me to be so connected to nature, to create things and learn practical ways to deal with your pain, and to really learn to ground yourself and live in the present moment.

I am doing this half marathon for restore, because I believe that this charity has and is helping me and so many others to completely rebuild our lives, and I am forever grateful for all they do and have done for us.

"It's helped me in a lot of ways but in particular helped me to realise I don't need to be perfect. Before I wouldn't begin things in fear of this, but now I am willing to try new things and take the time to practice and achieve perfection instead of expecting to achieve it straight away."

"It has helped me to rewire my brain after a breakdown, it has helped me to be around other people again."

"Restore has changed my life. Without it I was housebound and had terrible anxiety and panic attacks. I would like to thank all the staff at Restore for helping me. There is a great atmosphere there."

"Restore has helped me with getting sober and learning to be okay to live in my brain again."

"It's having people to talk to, getting you out of your own head, having a laugh again when you didn't think you would, makes you happier."