The Prince and Princess of Wales are set to visit Pontyclun as part of their project to provide mental health support in south Wales. The royal couple are aiming to create therapy allotments and gardens, which will form the second in a series of 'community impact' pilots from The Royal Foundation.
It comes after it was announced this week that the royals are set to visit Wales on Tuesday ahead of St David's Day. They will visit Aberavon Leisure & Fitness Centre to hear how sport and exercise can support mental health and wellbeing, before travelling to the base of the Wales Air Ambulance charity in Llanelli to meet emergency workers, volunteers and supporters. You can read more about their visit here.
It has also been confirmed that the couple will be visiting a new garden that is being developed at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, near Pontyclun. The site will include a collection of allotments where individuals can have their own space to learn and grow their own produce.
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It will sit alongside a communal sensory and herbal garden, a mud kitchen and an interactive learning space. The Royal Foundation has convened national and local organisations to support the design and build, as well as provide funding, tools, plants, seeds and materials for landscaping.
The allotments and garden are being developed over the coming months and will offer free and low-cost gardening therapy and mental health support sessions for the centre’s service users and their families. According to The Royal Foundation, in time residents from the local and wider community who are experiencing mental ill health, low confidence or isolation will also have access to the garden through GP referrals.
Amanda Berry OBE, chief executive officer of The Royal Foundation said: "Their Royal Highnesses are passionate about creating a lasting impact in the communities they visit, playing an instrumental role in bringing together local stakeholders to amplify the work of organisations, and ensure support reaches those who need it most.
"Their Royal Highnesses continue to prioritise our society’s mental health and spending time in nature is known to have a range of benefits, including reducing depression and anxiety. We are really pleased to be working with Life at No.27 and supporting its mission to help communities across South Wales."
One volunteer at Life at No.27, who are in collaboration with The Royal Foundation, said that Brynawel had changed their life. Darren said: "My experiences at Brynawel changed my life and were the best things that happened to me. The help and support I received was really helpful, and gave me the chance to come back as a volunteer.
"Being able to use the garden as a form of therapy has played a big part in improving my mental health which is why I can’t wait for the new allotments and therapy garden to be developed."
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