Tell us more about working with Ponthafren and Credu
Our first community project was setting up the community garden here at Powis, which is located in an underused area of the garden, off the visitor route. Surrounded by ancient trees and next to a scenic pond, it is a haven for wildlife and a peaceful space to escape to.
Originally started in 2021 to combat isolation after the Covid-19 Pandemic, the community garden is run in partnership with Ponthafren as a place to gather, grow vegetables, fruit, and flowers, learn new skills, and spend time in nature. The garden group is now flourishing and it’s fantastic to see friendships building and confidence growing. People interested in getting involved can contact admin@ponthafren.org.uk for more details.
Credu carers expressed a need to access beautiful spaces both for respite from their role, but also as a place to bring those they care for so they too can enjoy open space and a warm welcome. We’re working with them to overcome access barriers, and to design tailored visits to meet their particular needs for example, by offering an autism friendly “quiet visit” for families outside of normal opening hours.
I’m now working in partnership with Oldford Integrated Family Centre to trial a new individual access pass. Based on the concept of social prescribing the pass will give access to individuals whose mental or physical health would benefit from access to nature and heritage.
Tell us about the specialist sessions you are arranging, including singing, walking and mindfulness
As part of our Wellbeing Wednesdays, and to mark #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, on 17 May we held a Singing for Wellbeing session led by Cathy Beech of Angel Voices Singing.
Cathy said “I cannot wait to be surrounded by the beautiful venue of Powis Castle. I will be bringing my songs, guitar, backing tracks and vocal exercises to help you find your vocal joy. You don’t need to think you can sing, you just need to want to have some fun… it is about being in the moment and enjoying the ability to be present through singing. Please come and join me, you will have a fabulous, uplifting, life affirming time!”
As a special edition to our Wellbeing Wednesdays, on Wednesday 14 June we’re delighted to welcome Catherine Waterfall from good4mind.com to lead a Mindfulness Walk through the beautiful gardens here at Powis. Catherine’s guided walk will be an introduction to mindfulness which she says has proven stress-relieving benefits, particularly when practiced outdoors in nature. Catherine says, “As well as walking slowly and mindfully, I will be leading meditations at various points to savour the beauty of the gardens.” Come and meet us at 10.15am at the garden gate for a relaxing start to your day. It is free to join the guided walk, but normal admission prices apply.
Then on Wednesday 12 July we are running a gentle yoga session on the lawn in our beautiful formal garden.
What are the main challenges of your role?
The foundation the National Trust is to make “everyone welcome”, but this is not always as easy as it sounds and when I speak to some local groups I often find there are barriers that prevent some members of our local community from visiting.
My challenge is to identify what might be stopping them and then find a solution so that they do feel welcome, for example they may need access to a quiet space for a sensitive child, or level access to the garden to avoid our steep terraces. Of course, in the current financial climate, price is also a barrier, but we are hoping the Wellbeing Pass will overcome some of that pressure for community groups.
