Cwmbran carers receive honorary flower garden

Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen LNP have helped create a new flower garden dedicated to unpaid carers in Torfaen.

As part of this year's Carers Week, Torfaen Council has donated an area of land at Cwmbran Boating Lake, which will be filled with plants all year round thanks to the Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen LNP.

Alan Walker, from Pontypool, who cared for his late wife, was among the volunteers helping to plant 400 flowers this week.

‘The garden is a really nice gesture and I hope people will enjoy it and appreciate it,’ said Mr Walker.

‘Torfaen Council’s team has always been very helpful - she was always there to give me advice when I needed it and we really enjoyed going on the holidays and day-trips she has arranged.’

Another green space in Torfaen
The flowers for the garden were paid for using the Welsh Government's Local Places for Nature fund through Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen LNP.

‘We’re so happy to be able to support the council in their development of another green space where Torfaen’s residents can connect with nature and enhance their wellbeing,’ says Vee Brannovic, LNP Coordinator for Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen.

‘The past couple of years have put strain on so many unpaid carers and their families – we hope that this flower garden can be a place where they feel comfortable to relax and reflect’.

A tribute to carers
The garden was arranged by Torfaen Council's adult social care team, which offers support and assistance to unpaid carers.

Cllr David Daniels, executive member for adult services and housing, said: ‘The theme of this year's Carers Week is making carers feel visible and valued.

‘This garden is a tribute to all the unpaid carers in Torfaen and will be a place they can visit and enjoy.’

‘As we all know the stresses and tensions have been higher than ever when caring for people during the last year,’ says Gill Pratlett, head of adult services, housing and commissioning at Torfaen Council.

‘A big thank you to all the carers in Torfaen, both the ones we know and the ones we never get to meet.’

To get involved with Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen LNP, please contact LNP Coordinator Vee Brannovic.