National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £3,000 to £10,000
Running along the edge of a river, the site includes a wet woodland area, an old orchard, a large pond and a number of allotment spaces which grow food for a foodbank. A rustic cafe and solar powered compost toilet have been built.
The transformation has been led by the Green Valley Wellbeing Group for its Green Valley Conservation and Heritage project.
A place for wellbeing
The site now provides an ideal environment for helping people improve their wellbeing and employability skills through gardening and spending time outdoors.
The project has forged relationships with local community groups, autistic support networks, job centres, schools and organisations that care for children with special educational needs. They are also accepting social prescription referrals from GPs.
Director Janis Werrett says: “I’ve seen massive changes in children being outdoors, to the point that they don't recognise the person they used to be.
I’ve seen massive changes in children being outdoors, to the point that they don't recognise the person they used to be.
– Janis Werrett, Director of Cynon Valley Wellbeing Group
“After spending years in school and being excluded from the mainstream, when they come here they realise that they do have skills.”
The project was shortlisted for a National Lottery Award in 2021.