The challenges faced by many people connecting mental health and wellbeing are becoming more pronounced, and even though the subject is more widely discussed, sometimes those key conversations are the still the hardest to have; the conversations that can mean the difference between a problem shared or an ongoing personal struggle. The chance to share and listen can seem so threatening if someone is not used to doing it. We want to provide an opportunity for people to have those important chats in a natural way we believe will remove some of the fear they might have.

By working together on a vehicle restoration project we are looking to create a space where people can come and get involved, literally getting their hands dirty, to enable those peer group chats that can be so helpful, or give the space to focus on something else they can loose themselves in.

The REVS Restore project will take place over weekends, where we will come together at Bicester Heritage to restore the Land Rover, sharing time together, encouraging teamwork, hearing stories from others about their experiences with their mental health, and looking to promote mental and spiritual wellbeing.

We are not therapists, we are not providing the structured support that some people with more acute and complex mental health needs might require. But we hope that for people encountering the stressful times we can all experience, we can provide some space, a 7/16 spanner, some engine oil and some supportive friendships.