Brecon & District Mind - Mental Health Awareness Day

Val Walker, of Brecon and District Mind, reports on the Mental Health Awareness Day the charity held a couple of weeks ago as part of Mental Health Awareness Week:

On the only wet and windy day of the week Brecon and District Mind, in conjunction with the Brecon Beacons National Park, held a Mental Health and Wellbeing Day at the Mountain Visitor Centre at Libanus in May. The aim was to promote the benefits of accessing the great outdoors to improve mental health and wellbeing.

A range of organisations were involved including the National Trust, Ecotransport network, Gwalia, Hafal, Kaleidoscope, Arts Alive, Brecon Dementia Friendly Community, Dyfed-Powys Police, a nutritionist, National Resources Wales, Cynon Valley Ramblers' Association and various others who were represented.

Although some of the outdoor activities such as the nature walks, geocaching and trialling the Bomber and electric cars were a little hampered by the damp weather, the activities still went ahead with those people who were brave enough to don waterproofs and get out there in the elements.

The specially adapted Bomber bike was fun. This provides an opportunity for wheelchair users and people with mobility problems to be able to go out across the mountains independently.

The electric cars were also good fun and although the open sided one was a bit damp and cold when out in the open, it was still an interesting experience. 25 miles an hour felt like 50 so speeding was not an issue!

There was an indoor programme of events throughout the day, including workshops and exercise classes. Many people attended these due to the poor weather. The printmaking went down fantastically well and so did the wool spinning, Qui Jung and Zumba sessions.

Thanks go out to Ceri Bevan and her team of wardens and trainees at the National Parks who facilitated the event for us and struggled against the elements to erect their fabulous new marquee. Thanks also to a grant from the Sustainable Grant Fund which enabled the shuttle bus provided by Williams Coaches to run up to and back from the Visitor Centre. Without this some people would not have been able to access the event.

The day attracted around 60 - 70 visitors to the event who came from as far afield as Pontypool, Blackwood, Newtown and Pembrokeshire.

Despite the weather the event was a success and something that we hope to repeat with the National Parks.

Thanks to Val for the update! Find out more about future Brecon and District Mind events here.