Green thumbed volunteers chipped in at Ystradgynlais Hospital at Halloween to restore the gardens as an area to assist the recovery of patients.

The team, which was made up of hospital staff and Brecknock Wildlife Trust volunteers, helped the gardens to return to their former glory for vegetable growing, staff and patient wellbeing, as well as wildlife diversity.

The hospital ran the Joint Gardening Day on Tuesday, October 31 with the Brecknock Wildlife Trust Wild Communities Project which is funded by the Big Lottery.

The project assistant from the Brecknock Wildlife Trust Wild Communities, Sarah Ogilvie, said:

"Research has shown that patient recovery rates improve even if they can only view trees from their hospital window, so imagine the effect of a walk through the woods, or 10 minutes spent tending the vegetables.

“It is heartening to see what we have achieved in one day, with the combination of some staff giving 15 minutes of their precious break time, to other community volunteers and staff spending all day on the gardens. It was great to pitch in to restore these lovely gardens for wildlife and human wellbeing.”

Changes that were brought to the gardens on the day included: creating a path through the woods for a "green and easy Wellbeing Walk"; sowing a walk-through wild flower meadow; cleaning the areas around the polytunnel; and restoring the pond.

The volunteers also cut back the overgrown dogwood to vary the habitat and to recycle as wood-chippings for the paths as well as to make Christmas wreaths for the community.