Life at No 27 - growing for wellbeing

Life at No.27 is a leading horticultural therapy and mental health counselling provider run as a social enterprise, built with passion at its core and designed to improve lives. The organisation uses nature, conversation and human connection to support anyone experiencing poor mental health, low confidence, self-esteem, and isolation.

Since our involvement with the Grow, Cook, Share Powys Network has now come to a close, we are keen to find out more about the opportunities in Powys for therapeutic gardening so that we can promote them far and wide. So we got in touch.

Annabelle Padwick, the founder, was more than happy to tell us about Life at No.27.

Why did you set up Life at No. 27? And what is the story behind the name?

I set up the organisation following my own experience with mental ill health and recovery, and the observation that the two things which helped me were private mental health psychotherapy and me getting my allotment. I wanted to create a safe space for others that combined these two therapeutic opportunities into one unique approach that was accessible for everyone. A safe space to talk, explore thoughts and feelings including past trauma, process and heal, alongside a practical outdoor environment to learn new skills, release energy safely, look to the future and believe in myself and my ability with practical tangible evidence.

The name, Life at No.27, came in 2015, when I started a blog about my own allotment and mental health journey. I didn’t want the blog to say mental health or gardening as I didn’t want the title to automatically say what it was about, other than my life. I wanted other people to want to read it. My original personal allotment plot number was 27, and I was also 27 when I started the blog.

Since then, the name has stayed the same and my client allotmenteers have said they like it, especially as it doesn’t say what it is. It gives them more choice on how much they want to tell others about the service.

Tell us briefly about the organisation’s main activities now

We deliver weekly adult group and 1-1 sessions for all ages over 18, where we offer local people their own Life at No.27 allotment, or access to a Life at No.27 therapy garden for a year, as well a mental health counsellor and therapeutic horticulturalist to support them mentally and practically with learning to grow produce. This is at our therapy garden in Craig y Nos Country Park in South Powys. These spaces are free with GP, psychiatrist or social worker referral. We also welcome self-referrals.

We also offer fun and relaxing weekly after school club sessions for children aged five years old and above, as well as 1-1 sessions, school intervention programmes and holiday activity clubs. All children are welcome, but the sessions are designed for children struggling with anxiety, low confidence, difficulty understanding and managing emotions and/or have social and emotional needs.

Why the move to Wales?

We moved to Wales personally, and this area in particular, because we love it and wanted to be closer to where my husband was born and his family are, near Swansea and Carmarthenshire.

The strapline at Life at No.27 is “It’s not what you grow, it’s how YOU grow!” Tell us more

It fundamentally means that it doesn’t matter what you choose to grow, whether that’s flowers, carrots, pumpkins or much bigger life ambitions. We want to support you every step of the way and how you grow as a person in the process is what is important.

What is it about being outdoors, in Nature, that you think has such an impact on positive mental health?

I think it’s the combination of being in nature, learning new skills and having a safe, confidential space to talk and explore feelings that can help create positive mental health.

In terms of being in nature specifically, it’s the most natural and free therapeutic resource for us all. If we slow down and pay attention, nature teaches about patience, resilience, the importance of being present in the moment and the enhanced satisfaction and joy we feel in life when we do slow down and feel every moment. It also teaches us exactly what we need to thrive as well. I always say to people if you forget how to look after yourself, just think about what a plant needs, and if you forget how to look after a plant, think about what you need - it’s the exact same things. Yet at the time it shows our uniqueness, we all have the same but also different needs. We all need food, love, sunshine, nurturing, space to grow, minimal enforced disruption, air, and patience – just in different quantities and ways, and plants are the same.

Layer this with the practical elements of getting our hands in the soil and the sensory play experience of feeling, smelling and seeing different plants. We can then lose ourselves in the moment; the fragrances, the noises of grasses and birds, the textures of bark, furry petals or the mindful process of many gardening activities.

You have a number of projects running at Life at No.27. Tell us more

We have our beautiful therapy garden in Craig-y-Nos, where we offer a range of services for those experiencing mental ill health, isolation, anxiety, low confidence and/or self-esteem.

Here we deliver group adult sessions for up to 6 people on Friday mornings, from 10 – 12. These sessions are part of our year long programme mentioned earlier and are free with referral. We come together relax, have a cuppa or two, chat and garden together in our beautiful surroundings. There is no pressure to chat or share with others unless you want to, as I mentioned earlier, it’s all about coming, for yourself, and giving it a go.

We also offer 1-1 sessions for adults here which are available on request to suit their availability.

Here in Craig-y-Nos, we also offer two-hour adult Seed Sowing and Gardening through the Year workshops every month on Friday afternoons for anyone who just wants to come garden aka play, have a cuppa and relax with others. These sessions are between £15 - £20, with all proceeds going towards our free mental health support services.

How did you get to work with the Prince and Princess of Wales and how’s that going?

We were very fortunate that the team from their charity, The Royal Foundation, contacted us after seeing a recent Crowdfunder fundraising campaign we set up for here in Wales, and were really interested in what we do. Following some conversations, the Prince and Princess of Wales were keen to meet with me, help us grow in the area, build more sites and be able to offer our unique programmes to more people. So, at the beginning of this year they announced they wanted to partner with us and start to create a legacy project, that will hopefully mean that they and their team will be on hand for support or guidance when we need it.

It’s still early days regarding their support, but I really hope it helps us achieve our vision.

Tell us more about your role as an Advisor to the House of Lords

Yes, this was a wonderful surprise invitation and surreal experience. In June this year, I was invited by the Horticultural Sector Committee to advise and give oral evidence regarding the current landscape of horticulture and mental health. This is part of a horticulture wide industry enquiry and report they are carrying out this year, to look at what is happening on the ground and what legislations need to change in the future in order for the industry to remain sustainable and bright.

I spoke about the work we do, the challenges we face, how social prescribing is currently working for us and what legislations we need urgently for safe, professional care. I also shared my experience and knowledge regarding the challenges within the media’s representation of gardening, and the compelling differences between the mental health of hobby gardeners and those who work as professional gardeners, landscapers or large-scale growers.

Are school sessions available in Powys schools now, and what happens at those?

Absolutely! They are available for primary and secondary age school children, across the area.

Our alternative education school programmes for children are designed specifically for those who are struggling with the mainstream school environment. The 6 – 12 week, or ongoing two hour weekly sessions, give selected individuals an opportunity to gain more time, space and attention away from the distractions of the classroom. Pupils who benefit massively from these sessions are those struggling with mental health illnesses, difficult home situations, anxiety and low confidence, including those already with a Child & Adolescent Mental Health team and on the SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disability) register with SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) needs.

Feedback from students:

“It’s been great! It’s really boosted my confidence.”

“I really enjoyed the programme and I recommend it to anyone else as it’s really fun and a good opportunity to make cool things and meet new people.”

“It has helped me come out of my shell and have more confidence. I have made a new friend and it has helped me deal with my feelings.”

What are the main challenges of your role?

Funding, accessibility and recruiting currently, and trying to work with and juggle all those challenges at the same time is probably a good summary.

Accessibility feels challenging right now for us, especially navigating how to engage with other services locally and GP practices who can refer local people to our services. So, any help would be greatly appreciated!

Tell us about some of the most rewarding work you have done at Life at No.27

It has to be helping children understand and express their emotions freely and safely. Whether that’s talking, running, sitting quietly and noticing wildlife or covering themselves head to toe in soil. Helping teenagers release the pressures and frustrations they feel, so that they can be a child again for the time they are with me, has to be up there with one of the most rewarding parts of our work too.

I will never forget seeing one of our past adult allotmenteers taking home a full family meal worth of home grown produce they had grown with no previous experience and their pride when they cooked and served it for their wife and two children.

I could keep going, but I guess for me the most rewarding work is when I see people being able to be fully themselves, with no restrictions or societal pressures impacting how they feel and behave. As well as teaching people new practical and emotional skills that really help them grow in confidence and self-belief. Those smiles, release in their eyes, the pride in their stance and weight off their shoulders.

“Meeting Annabelle and joining the Life at No.27 programme changed the course of my life, and I will forever be grateful for her and her team for being there for me when I felt unheard and alone. Life at No.27 was pivotal for me. I have a long way to go on my mental health journey, but knowing she will always be there if I ever needed her again, is comfort enough to try to work through life’s challenges.”

You can read their full testimonial here.

When you’re not working how do you enjoy spending your time?

I love anything creative, so painting, drawing and printmaking in my studio, and I spend a lot of my spare time growing my own produce and currently getting ready to welcome our own sheep. 

Many thanks to Annabelle for telling us all about Life at No.27. 

If you would like to find out more, check out the website or contact Annabelle by emailing: annabelle@lifeatno27.com

The Fathom Trust – health and healing through Green crafts

Back in 2020 Jess Tanner worked for Brecon & District Mind as an Ecotherapist leading the Green Minds Ecotherapy Project. Jess now works for the Powys charity The Fathom Trust as an Ecotherapist and Community Gardener.

We spoke to Jess to find out more about The Fathom Trust, and how coming together as a community to craft and connect with nature can enrich lives.

Jess Tanner, Ecotherapist

What is your role with The Fathom Trust?

I lead the six week “Making Well – Health & Healing through Green Crafts” course at The Fathom Trust. Located in Bwlch, Making Well runs four times a year and is centred around the kitchen and cut flower gardens and outdoor craft workshops. We work alongside a local, visiting craft practitioner on every course.

Crafts taught at Making Well have included willow weaving, horticulture, pottery, green woodwork and cob building. Our sessions are rooted in the seasons and our craft practice is very much guided by nature and the growing gardens that surround us.

We’re currently working to build stronger referral partnerships through our local GP surgeries, Brecon & District Mind as well as Credu, who we are welcoming to Making Well for the first time this summer for series of day-long craft and nature-connection workshops. We welcome referrals from mental health teams in the community, and self-referrals are also welcome if people feel the course will benefit them.

Tell us more about The Fathom Trust 

The charity, which is based between Brecon and Crickhowell in south Powys, was founded three years ago by Dr William Beharrell, formerly a trainee psychiatrist and NHS Manager, with an interest in health innovation. Its mission is “to promote physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing using traditional crafts to restore life-giving connections to body, soul, nature and society.” It has lots of new projects developing.

Craftsmanship, Conservation and Contemplation – how do these three aspects work together to support healing?

It's about tending and coming into relationship with all three of these aspects – how we tend to ourselves, others and the landscape around us. By working with our hands; with willow, wood and earth, and through gentle mindfulness and movement practices we come into a practice of noticing ourselves and the world around us. At Making Well we hold nurturing and healing spaces in which to come together as a community to share our individual and collective experience.

How can The Fathom Trust support people who are struggling with their mental health?

We support participants to improve their current health and wellbeing by cultivating skills, friendships and a deeper connection to nature. Our team of experienced practitioners provide a nurturing space for groups to come together, and are on hand to offer the compassion and guidance needed to meet people at their own pace. Our practitioners come from a diversity of backgrounds within wellbeing and craft-making and there is a real sense of collaboration within each Making Well course.

We offer a taster day ahead of each course which gives people chance to meet the team and each other and get a sense of whether the course is something they'd like to take part in. We feel that the taster days are a really important aspect of the course and help people to see what might be possible for them and what they might be able to achieve over the 6 weeks, especially after any long periods of ill health or feelings of isolation. If throughout the day participants find taking part in the group activities a challenge, we have a therapeutic practitioner at Making Well that is able to offer 1-1 walk and talks if needed. Each Making Well course is a closed group which we find helps build a stronger sense of community over a short period of time, and provides a fertile space in which to develop new skills and meaningful friendships.

What happens on the course?

Each session follows the same rhythm of coming together for a morning grounding and contemplative nature-connection practice, followed by small group morning and afternoon craft sessions. Halfway through our day we stop for a seasonal, nutritious lunch which is cooked onsite in our outdoor kitchen. We also weave in time throughout the day for time to reflect and share in our different experiences of crafting and being in nature.

Welcoming new craft practitioners keeps our work growing and evolving. It's great to be able to come into contact with so many different natural materials which often bring about a different set of experiences for those taking part. There are different challenges and moments of insight that can be discovered within each material and craft-making process.

Can 6 weeks make a big difference?

From my own experience of the healing and restorative potential held within nature, and from the privilege I have of guiding and witnessing others through their own experience throughout the 6 weeks, I do believe so. I am reminded of a Mary Oliver poem “When I am Among the Trees” and the constant source of reconnection and sense of belonging that she speaks of that is never too distant, and that through a slow crafting of tending to each moment within us and around us, we can begin to see and experience life in new ways.

We are in the process of creating a new digital story bank at Fathom with the intention of weaving together the many and diverse experiences of the way participants have valued their time at Making Well. Once these are published we will be able to draw upon a much wider range of the depth of experience each course can offer. It's really important for us to keep growing and to know that what we offer here is always in service to our community and to the landscapes we inhabit, so these story sharing opportunities are vital for our continued practice of being able to respond to, and be malleable, within times of change and uncertainty that many of us are constantly adapting to.

Although everything that we offer at Making Well is invitational, it is through participation that we can experience the most benefit, so we encourage and support everyone to take part wherever they can. We don’t see Making Well as an isolated experience and we hold and nurture a space together as a community over the 6 weeks that might help to cultivate new ways of thinking, feeling, and experiencing that we hope will offer little seeds that people will continue to tend to. Tending is a big theme of what we cultivate – tending to the garden, one another and ourselves and the realisation that we are all part of this world. We all share similar stories around our struggles, our fears and feelings of isolation. At Making Well we create a space to share and support one another, and that can offer a huge sense of relief and respite to those that join us.

What impact does this course have on participants?

There is some really interesting evaluation work that has been done on this by the Wales School of Social Prescribing Research in conjunction with several universities. You can read more on our website here.

Heather Dickens, willow weaver

How can people and communities contribute and benefit from The Fathom Trust?

The Trust is trying to grow wellbeing and craft hubs – and also to grow the network of landowners and practitioners taking part across Powys. We have a Crafters’ Café at Brecon Cathedral which is part of Making Well – it’s a drop-in craft café in the Tithe Barn every Tuesday within term time run by Heather Dickens our willow weaver.

The Trust is also looking for other sites to set up more Making Well programmes – with a vision to link each cluster of GP surgeries to a 6 week course, so that the referrals are held much more within our local communities. Currently some people travel from a fair distance and we want to limit that where we can within Powys.

Long-term, funding permitting, we hope Making Well courses will pop up throughout the county. They might be shaped a little differently according to the surrounding landscapes and local need, but each will be anchored in our approach to craft, conservation and contemplation.

Which other organisations are you working with this summer?

We’re also working with Credu (Connecting Carers) over the summer holidays for the first time offering sessions for young and adult carers’ groups.

What are the main challenges of your role?

It’s getting the message out there and reaching people, it takes time but we are starting to build momentum as we strengthen our local partnerships. 

By working outdoors, we also work with the changing weather and terrain, we want Making Well to be as accessible to as many people as possible, so we are constantly looking at ways that we can adapt our offer to suit everyone’s mental and physical strengths and limitations.

We will be inviting professionals to come and join us for an open day to see how Making Well can support those they are supporting. Some of the PAVO Community Connectors have taken part so can then speak about it which is especially useful for those referring in. That’s worked out to be a very natural partnership that we hope to keep growing.

What do you get out of working for The Fathom Trust?

So much. I am always reminded how important it is to come together as a community and how much we all need that and the space to come and share and express who we are in a supportive environment. I get huge joy in sharing the many nature-connection activities we offer, gardening together in groups, skill sharing, and holding space for people – it feels a real honour to do that. Also seeing the difference in people from a taster day to the end of the course is wonderful and the ways that people slowly unfurl themselves and open out to the world around them as the course goes on.

It's such a joy to see how participants on Making Well make each invitation to explore nature and craft-making their own, and take time to tune into nature and themselves in ways they might not have done or had the time to do so before. It's just a great privilege to see the growth that can happen over such a short period of time and the friendships that blossom and how people begin to trust in their own capacity for becoming and being well. We work with the natural world to create a rhythm and a nurturing environment for people to come into, but it’s always about the unique constellation of participants that join us that make each course the healing and regenerative experience it becomes.

When you are not working for The Fathom Trust, how do you enjoy spending your time?

I love to potter, grow and make things. I like to write songs and take long walks with my hammock. In the garden, or under the night’s sky, is where I find my sense of sanctuary.

If you want to find out more about The Fathom Trust, 

you can contact Jess by emailing: jess@fathomtrust.com

The next Making Well session starts with a taster day on 14 September. 

You can sign up on the online referral form here.

Radiate Arts - boosting mental health in North Powys

L - R: Jenny Botha & Pam Gordon of Radiate Arts
Claire Powell & Jackie Newey of Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations

Claire Powell (Community Connector for Newtown & Llanidloes) and I recently paid a visit to Radiate Arts CIC  (a community interest company) at its current base in North Powys. Radiate Arts is a not-for-profit organisation which delivers creative workshops in the community. Each workshop is tailored to the group, but the goal remains the same – to use art for mental and physical wellbeing.

We caught up with Pam and Jenny of Radiate Arts at their beautiful lakeside location high in the hills to find out more about the organisation’s current activities. We also learnt more about how art can have such a positive impact on people’s mental health.

Why is art so important for wellbeing?

Art can provide a space for relaxation and focus. Participants on our courses often comment about how creative activities help them forget their worries and it gives them headspace to focus on something new. The social element of our workshops is also a big benefit, as it encourages others to get out and meet people too (socially distanced of course).

It's important to remember that using creativity as a way to relax has real benefits. People who do art, or write regularly, tend to have lower levels of anxiety and stress. It's even been known to lower blood pressure, improve sleep and reduce chronic pain. These, among other benefits, can improve your overall quality of life and help you to feel more content.

Where is Radiate Arts based?

Our Creative Hub is located under 5 miles from Llanidloes town centre. This is our main location for our art workshops, and we work across Chester and the west of England too.

We overlook the Clywedog Reservoir, so there are some stunning views across the valley. We’re lucky to be placed in such a beautiful location. In fact, we use the beauty of nature to inspire us in our work and for green prescribing.

Tell us a bit more about the workshops

We run a wide range of workshops, from stone carving, painting, sketching, macrame, creative writing and printing - there's something for everyone!

We lead workshops for those who may not have had many opportunities to interact and participate in creative spaces before, or had access to these facilities. We provide a safe space to develop positive feelings of self-worth, mindfulness and mental awareness through a creative process.

Have you ever tried to use art or poetry to relax? Sometimes it's hard to know where to start...many of our participants have found success in unlocking their creative intuition through our inclusive workshops.

Creativity is for everyone, regardless of skillset.

Are workshops open to the public?

Yes, we run workshops which are open to the public, but you will need to book in advance. All of our live public workshops can be found on our Eventbrite page here.

Do you run creative workshops for community groups, as part of social prescribing?

Yes, we do! Social prescribing workshops from referred groups, form most of our workshops at our Creative Hub. Examples include stone carving with ex-service personnel, to printing with care homes.

Radiate Arts recently ran an outdoor photography workshop for ex-army veterans in partnership with The Armed Forces Covenant Fund's 'Positive Pathways Programme'.

The course, called 'Creative Freedom,' saw participants roam the beautiful landscape of Mid Wales, taking photographs along the way. The aim was to increase physical and mental wellbeing, and was spread out over three days on the hillsides nearby the Clywedog Reservoir. You can read more on our blog here.

Who leads the workshops?

We have a team of expert artists who deliver the workshop in their field. They are experienced with hosting groups, and enjoy sharing their artform with others. We host an Artist Q and A on our blog, which you can read here.

How can I find out more or get in touch?

To find out more, please visit our website www.radiatearts.co.uk , or email office@radiatearts.co.uk. You can also follow us on social media:

Facebook – RadiateArts

Twitter – ArtsRadiate 

Instagram – RadiateArts

Social prescribing - a pilot project in South Powys

Rhiannon Davies is known to many people as she was, for many years, the very active chair of Brecon Dementia Friendly Community. Recently Rhiannon has moved on to a new role in the voluntary sector in South Powys, as a link worker for a very particular project at Brecon & District Mind. I was interested to find out more, as social prescribing is becoming increasingly recognised as an important service to complement more traditional health services at the local GP surgery.

What is social prescribing?

Social prescribing recognises that people’s lives and health are affected by social, economic and environmental factors and these needs have to be taken into account for our wellbeing. Looking at people holistically and addressing these things takes extra time. So rather than just having a prescription for a medicine, social prescribing can help you to access a wide range of support and activities in the local community to ensure your needs are being met.

Tell us more about your role with Brecon & District Mind

I am a link worker providing a new service, provided by Brecon and District Mind, in Brecon Medical Practice on Thursdays, and Crickhowell Medical Centre on Tuesdays. It’s called Social Prescribing and it aims to help you get the support you need, when you need it, to improve your mental health and wellbeing.

Why might someone need this service?

Maybe big life decisions are making you worry, so you might want to approach the decisions differently. If you are feeling lonely you might like to make new friends. If you have money problems, you might like to be more in control of your finances. If you are feeling stressed, anxious and depressed you would probably like to sleep better and feel more relaxed.

Everyone needs some help from time to time to overcome life’s challenges. The answer lies in finding the right support at the right time.

Who can be referred to the Social Prescribing service and how?

If you are over 18 and registered with either Brecon or Crickhowell Medical Practices you can ask for a Social Prescribing patient pack at the surgery reception and make a self-referral by completing a consent form. 

Sarah James, Link Worker and Helen O'Donovan, Administrator

How does Social Prescribing work?

Once you have completed a consent form, as a link worker, I will contact you to arrange an appointment at the surgery. When we meet, you can then spend time with me, letting me know your circumstances, how you are feeling, what matters to you and what you think might help to improve your wellbeing. 

Using my knowledge of community support and services, I will then help you to connect to the appropriate local community and voluntary groups, activities and advice services. This could range from wellbeing activities in your local community, housing / benefits / financial support and advice, art or music activities, support groups covering things like bereavement, relationship issues, stress or mindfulness, walking or running groups, and peer support from others who have similar experiences. 

After about three months you will have a final follow-up phone call or meeting so we can see the impact the service has had.

Why was this project set up?

This social prescribing service is part of a joint research project between Mind Cymru and local Minds, funded by Welsh Government. Understanding how social prescribing can help people overcome stress and anxiety is really important in deciding how best to develop medical services in the future. So as part of the process you will be asked some questions about how you are feeling, and your experiences before and after you have used the service.

We know that social prescribing has really helped people in other areas. By taking part in this initiative those who participate are contributing to important evidence that will help plan future health services. All collected data is anonymous.

Is this service available in other parts of Powys?

My colleague, Sarah James, is allocated link worker for Hay and Talgarth surgeries, but Brecon and District Mind is still waiting for the green light before setting up the service there. Ystradgynlais Mind is also part of the research project and has two link workers working in a similar way to Brecon and District Mind.

Which organisations do you work closely with in Powys to provide support to people?

These are early days as the service has only been running for a few weeks, but already I have made referrals to a number of local voluntary organisations, housing, Brecon Leisure Centre, Brecon Job Centre, volunteering groups, a walking group, an art group, the Centre for Long-term Condition Management and Brecon Mind Community Wellbeing service to name a few! The list of potential organisations we have collated to date is well over seventy!

What kind of feedback are you getting from people about the project?

So far the feedback has been very positive, and people are genuinely grateful to have access to such a resource. As I said, the service is still in its infancy, so we hope the numbers accessing the service will build as the word gets out.

What are the main challenges of the role?

Not knowing who is going to come through the door, it’s really important to stay open minded and really listen, so you are not just hearing what people say, but what they mean. Because it’s a new service, making sure all the healthcare professionals are aware of what it can offer and its benefits, so they see it as a regular part of their referral pathway in delivering healthcare is a genuine challenge – as is trying to fit everything in in just two working days a week!

Tell us about some of the most rewarding work you have done in the role so far

I have met some fantastic people to date. People who struggle to see their own strengths and just need some encouragement and support to find what they already have within themselves. Being part of that process and seeing them genuinely engage and take responsibility, setting themselves goals and then, with some extra knowledge and understanding, move forward is hugely rewarding and inspiring.

When you are not working for Brecon & District Mind, how do you enjoy spending your time?

Reading, going to concerts and listening to music, walking our dog, gardening, doing volunteer work within my own community, being with friends and family. Juggling and balancing are my two constant challenges, but I’m up for it as long as I’m learning!

If you want to find out more about the Social Prescribing service you can contact Rhiannon by emailing: rhiannon@breconmind.org.uk or ring: 01874 611529 / 07487 523992. Rhiannon is happy to answer individual questions or queries about the service or spread the word by talking to community groups.