Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) has teamed up with Flora Cultura to launch a horticultural scheme at Bronllys Hospital, aimed at improving the wellbeing of patients through outdoor activity and nature-based therapies.
The charity, based in the Black Mountains, specialises in social therapeutic horticulture for people across Mid Wales and is now managing a large section of the hospital’s former orchard and kitchen garden.
Rashid Benoy, director at Flora Cultura, said: “This site has previously been managed horticulturally, however it has been some time since people have been gardening this area.
“So it’s a really great opportunity for our charity to have a space where we can create a home and a garden and for us to work in, but also for the hospital as well.
“We really hope that the patients coming to the hospital, whether they be inpatients or outpatients and the staff get to use this garden for their wellbeing.”
(Image: Supplied) The project is designed to support individuals with mental health conditions, learning disabilities, and neurological conditions through gardening, outdoor activities, and skills development.
Patients can be referred by any health department, partner organisation, or through PAVO’s Community Connectors, and self-referral is also available.
Mark Stafford Tolley, PTHB’s community liaison officer, said: “I am delighted for the health board to be working with Flora Cultura, who have already been making a really big difference.
“They have received referrals from a number of different PTHB services and I am sure will go from strength to strength with their knowledge and experience of social therapeutic horticulture.”
More information about the project and referrals can be found online.