Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) has partnered with local charity Flora Cultura to provide gardening, outdoor activities and skills development for people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities or neurological conditions.

Flora Cultura, based in the Black Mountains, offers social therapeutic horticulture to people across Mid Wales. The charity is now revitalising a large section of the former orchard and kitchen garden at Bronllys Hospital, transforming the area into a working food garden and orchard. The project involves patients and staff and aims to support both mental and physical wellbeing.

Referrals to the service can be made by any health department or organisation, via PAVO’s Community Connectors, or through self-referral.

Rashid Benoy, one of the directors for Flora Cultura, explained: "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.”

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," he added

Those interested in finding out more about the project, its services, or how to get involved can visit the charity’s website at www.floracultura.org.uk for further details, including referral information.