logo
Oxfordshire charity takes decision to close Banbury service

Oxfordshire charity takes decision to close Banbury service

BBC News01-05-2025

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."
You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

People on Basic State Pension payments urged to check for historical DWP errors
People on Basic State Pension payments urged to check for historical DWP errors

Daily Record

time25 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

People on Basic State Pension payments urged to check for historical DWP errors

Historical State Pension errors mostly affect women who can ask the DWP to recalculate their payments. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? The charity Independent Age has launched a handy State Pension factsheet providing essential information for older people already claiming the contributory benefit worth up to £230.25 each week, or those nearing the official age of retirement. The helpful guide covers everything you need to know about the payments, including the difference between the New and Basic, when to claim it, deferring, how the amount is calculated and when you might need to pay tax. However, it also takes a look at historical underpayments and urges those on the Basic State Pension who may have been due National Insurance (NI) 'top-ups' to contact the Pension Service to ask them to recalculate their State Pension if they think it might be wrong. A survey carried out by Independent Age found that 41 per cent of people aged 50 and over were anxious about their finances after retirement. Almost half said that they didn't have much knowledge of what financial options, including the State Pension, would be available to them once they retired. Independent Age guidance states: 'If you qualify for basic State Pension and can claim State Pension 'top-ups', these are usually calculated for you. But some people - particularly women who paid reduced NI rates - may have had their State Pension miscalculated and underpaid. 'If you think this affects you, contact the Pension Service to ask them to recalculate your State Pension. You can do this whether you're claiming or delaying your State Pension. You can also contact our helpline to arrange to speak to an adviser.' The full State Pension help guide can be found on the Independent Age website here. You can also call them directly on 0800 319 6789. State Pension historical errors The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said that between January 8, 2024 and March 31, 2025, a joint State Pensions corrections exercise with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), identified 12,379 State Pension underpayments to women whose National Insurance (NI) records are incorrect. In 2022, the DWP became aware of a number of State Pension cases where it appeared that historic periods of Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) were missing, leading to inaccurate State Pension payments. So far, around £104 million in arrears have been paid out, with an average payment of £8,377. Retirement expert Helen Morrissey is urging older people to complete the online form or contact the Pension Service if they think they have been affected after new research from the DWP shows the main reasons why those who have received a letter from HMRC asking them to check their State Pension as it could be wrong - have failed to do so. HMRC has sent out more than 370,000 letters - mostly to women - urging them to check their State Pension payments as they may be lower than they are entitled to. However, the DWP research indicates that the majority of people contacted by letter did not go on to apply for HRP. Barriers included: Not understanding the letter Thinking the communication was a scam Reliance on digital methods to put in a claim HRP was a scheme designed to help protect parents' and carers' entitlement to the State Pension and was replaced by NI credits from April 6, 2010. HMRC is using NI records to identify as many people as possible who might have been entitled to HRP between 1978 and 2010 and have no HRP on their NI record. After May 2000, it became mandatory to include a NI number on claims so people claiming after this point will not have been affected. How to use the online HRP tool You may still be able to apply for HRP, for full tax years (6 April to 5 April) between 1978 and 2010, if any of the following were true: you were claiming Child Benefit for a child under 16 you were caring for a child with your partner who claimed Child Benefit instead of you you were getting Income Support because you were caring for someone who was sick or disabled you were caring for a sick or disabled person who was claiming certain benefits ‌ You can also apply if, for a full tax year between 2003 and 2010, you were either: a foster carer caring for a friend or family member's child ('kinship carer') in Scotland Who qualified automatically for HRP The guidance on explains that most people got HRP automatically if they were: ‌ getting Child Benefit in their name for a child under the age of 16 and they had given the Child Benefit Office their National Insurance number getting Income Support and they did not need to register for work because they were caring for someone who was sick or disabled If your partner claimed Child Benefit instead of you If you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2008, you cannot transfer HRP. However, you may be able to transfer HRP from a partner you lived with if they claimed Child Benefit while you both cared for a child under 16 and they do not need the HRP. ‌ They can transfer the HRP to you for any 'qualifying years' they have on their National Insurance record between April 1978 and April 2010. This will be converted into National Insurance credits. Married women or widows You cannot get HRP for any complete tax year if you were a married woman or a widow and: ‌ you had chosen to pay reduced rate Class 1 National Insurance contributions as an employee (commonly known as the small stamp) you had chosen not to pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions when self-employed If you were caring for a sick or disabled person You can only claim HRP for the years you spent caring for someone with a long-term illness or disability between April 6, 1978 and April 5, 2002. You must have spent at least 35 hours a week caring for them and they must have been getting one of the following benefits: ‌ Attendance Allowance Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest rate for personal care Constant Attendance Allowance The benefit must have been paid for 48 weeks of each tax year on or after April 6, 1988 or every week of each tax year before April 6, 1988. You can still apply if you are over State Pension age. You will not usually be paid any increase in State Pension that may have been due for previous years. ‌ If you were getting Carer's Allowance You do not need to apply for HRP if you were getting Carer's Allowance. You'll automatically get National Insurance credits and would not usually have needed HRP. If you were a foster carer or caring for a friend or family member's child You have to apply for HRP if, for a full tax year between 2003 and 2010, you were either: ‌ a foster carer caring for a friend or family member's child ('kinship carer') in Scotland All of the following must also be true: you were not getting Child Benefit you were not in paid work you did not earn enough in a tax year for it to count towards the State Pension ‌ If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010 Any HRP you had for full tax years before April 6, 2010 was automatically converted into National Insurance credits, if you needed them, up to a maximum of 22 qualifying years. A full overview of HRP can be found on here.

Long-serving team member promoted to Deputy MD after a decade
Long-serving team member promoted to Deputy MD after a decade

Scotsman

time36 minutes ago

  • Scotsman

Long-serving team member promoted to Deputy MD after a decade

Key promotions mark fresh era at leading Scottish PR agency Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Scottish public relations agency has unveiled a strengthened leadership team, spearheaded by the appointment of long-serving team member Chris Fairbairn as deputy managing director. The move sees Chris, a Chartered PR Practitioner and father-of-three from Edinburgh, step into the newly created role after more than a decade with the Leith-based firm. His appointment headlines a series of promotions at Holyrood PR, which is coming off the back of a record financial year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Also promoted are Chirene Campbell to account director, and Rachael Martin and Lewis Robertson to account managers – all reflecting the agency's continued growth across both consumer and corporate PR work. Chris Fairbairn, Deputy MD, Holyrood PR Chris began his journey with Holyrood PR as an intern in 2014 and quickly progressed through the ranks, becoming a vital part of the senior leadership team at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. He said: 'This promotion is the next step in a journey that started more than 10 years ago. I've been incredibly fortunate to work with people who've supported and challenged me in equal measure. 'From the outset, I've been given the freedom to learn, take responsibility and grow. The development opportunities here are second to none – and I hope I can now help provide that same support for others. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's a real privilege to step into this role at a time when the agency is thriving and expanding into new areas. Our team continues to evolve and it's an exciting time to be part of the agency's next chapter.' Founded in 2002, Holyrood PR has grown to become one of Scotland's leading independent PR agencies. The 13-strong team specialises in award-winning media relations and is recognised as an early adopter of digital PR and social media. The agency works with major organisations including Scottish Water, Cala Homes, Scottish Fishermen's Federation, Business Stream and Mackie's of Scotland – and has added a raft of new clients in recent months, including Water Direct, Merchiston Castle School, Waterfront Private Hospital and the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa Edinburgh. Scott Douglas, managing director and founder of Holyrood PR, said: 'Chris is a shining example of the culture we've built here – one of growth, ambition and long-term commitment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He's been a central figure in the agency's development, helping deliver year-on-year growth through his leadership, creativity and unwavering commitment to client success. 'This is also a moment to celebrate our wider team. Chirene, Rachael and Lewis have each contributed to our recent successes and its testament to their aptitude and attitude that we are able to make these merited promotions from within.' Over the past 12 months, the agency has also strengthened its in-house digital offering, delivering organic and paid social media support to existing and new clients, both as an integrated communications package for clients, or as a standalone service.

Investments in UK tech sector will create hundreds of jobs, says Government
Investments in UK tech sector will create hundreds of jobs, says Government

North Wales Chronicle

time40 minutes ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Investments in UK tech sector will create hundreds of jobs, says Government

It comes as Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told an audience at London Tech Week that the UK must be at 'the cutting edge' of rapidly growing technologies, such as AI. The technology sector is a key area of the Government's efforts to accelerate growth in the UK economy, in a bid to support efforts to increase spending. On Tuesday, a number of 'significant investments' in the sector were announced in areas including AI and fintech, which will see some companies setting up in the UK for the first time. Liquidity, a US-based AI fintech business, revealed it will launch its European headquarters in London as part of a plan to invest an additional £1.5 billion over the next five years. Meanwhile, Capgemini said it will expand UK operations with a new London headquarters. Netcompany, a Danish IT consultancy, will also invest £2 million to expand its Leeds office and is launching a new site in Edinburgh, which will ultimately create 150 jobs. Other investments include InnovX AI, a major European start-up hub, investing £14.7 million in a new London technology site, creating 30 jobs. Mr Kyle said: 'We have all seen over the last few years, just how rapidly and profoundly technologies like AI are transforming the economy, and our society. 'Britain can – and must – be at the cutting edge of this change. 'The era of hesitancy is over: we can be the masters of our fate, and through the measures I am announcing today, we will harness the vast potential of our trillion-pound tech sector to help remake our country for the better.' The Government said on Tuesday that it was opening its Science and Technology Venture Capital Fellowship for a second cohort and round of applications, to increase the capacity of the UK financial sector to invest in start-up businesses in the sector. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 'Securing valuable high-tech investment is an integral mission of this government and seeing global investors put billions in the UK economy shows the plan for change is working, with more and more companies choosing Britain. 'With tech being identified as a key growth sector in our upcoming modern industrial strategy, we're not only helping attract and secure investment, but delivering long-term, stable growth that supports skilled jobs and raises living standards across the UK.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store