Charity's 'heartbreaking decision' to close service

The Orchard in Banbury was first established in 2010 and has hosted more than 500 local people

A mental health charity has announced the "heartbreaking decision" to close one of its six recovery group services.

The trustees of Oxfordshire mental health charity Restore have announced the Banbury-based therapeutic recovery service, known as The Orchard, will close down.

They cited "a blend of factors" for the decision, including the cost of living in Oxfordshire and the 5% increase in the Living Wage.

The charity confirmed in a statement that other Restore services would remain unaffected.

The award-winning, non-profit charity offers mental health recovery services such as recovery activity groups and courses.

The Orchard was first established in 2010 and has hosted more than 500 local people.

It added that the "difficult" decision meant five other groups could be maintained and sustained.

Sam Mostyn, Restore's chair of trustees, said the board "has carefully and objectively considered all options" and "did not decide this measure lightly".

But he added that it had to "protect the long-term viability of the charity for its members and staff now and in the future".

Restore quoted the high cost of living in Oxfordshire and its commitment to meet the Oxford Living Wage as part of the "blend of factors" that contributed to the move.

It added that the increases to National Insurance, along with its application at a lower threshold, represented "another significant uplift" leading to a 10% increase in staffing costs.

Interim CEO Sean Garden described the decision as "heartbreaking".

"Restore exists to help people, and every year hundreds attend our groups and coaching, with thousands joining courses," he said.

"We are making every effort to ensure that Restore remains a part of the Banbury community, with tailored one-to-one coaching and with free courses at the Oxfordshire Recovery College continuing to be available to local people.

"However, sadly we must reduce our bricks and mortar presence in the town."