A MENTAL health service’s move to a new home means it should be able to double the number of people it helps.

Restore, which supports people with mental health problems, was once housed in a small, leaky-roofed shop in Orchard Way, Banbury.

But now the service has opened its new £36,000 home in a former warehouse in Calthorpe Street.

The move will allow people from all over north Oxfordshire to be referred to the Banbury unit, which has seen demand for the service in the area double since Christmas.

Katrina Horne, recovery and personalisation manager, said the new home meant the charity could help more people and would be easier for people to reach. She said: “The increase in demand is because of the time of year. Demand for mental health services increases.

“Before, in the old base, we were able to see around 10 to 12 people a day. Now we can double that to around 25.

“The new town centre position also means that people can get to us much more easily.”

The building has been converted to office space and workshops to help people with mental health problems with their recovery.

Workshops such as chocolate-making, miniature furniture-making, bread-making, CV-writing, public-speaking, and self-defence can now be held at the new unit, which also has a kitchen. Members can also take part in activities such as gardening, woodwork, crafts and make items to sell in a new shop, which is now open to the public at the new base.

After an arson attack on the group’s allotment in November, Hillier’s Garden Centre donated a new summer house and Argos, Homebase and Brantano all gave tools and equipment.

Ms Horne added: “We are excited to be launching the service in a new building. Visitors, volunteers and staff have all worked really hard to get it ready.”

Oxfordshire High Sheriff Penelope Glen marked the official opening by cutting a ribbon. He said: “I congratulate all those who have contributed to Restore’s expansion into North Oxfordshire.”