The volunteer event saw female patients from the hospital, which provides specialist mental health support, contributing to the local environment while engaging with the wider community.
Cygnet St Teilo House, on Goshen Street, Rhymney, is a 23-bed service specialising in high support inpatient rehabilitation (level 2) for women with mental health needs.
Three female service users joined more than 150 other volunteers from the local community who all gave their time and energy to provide green lungs for Rhymney by doing their bit to reduce carbon by planting 3,000 trees over the course of a week.
This decarbonisation event, at Rhymney Remembrance Park, was organised as a partnership activity between Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO), the Caerphilly County Borough Council Decarbonisation team and Public Service Board member organisations.
The event is held annually with the aim of planting 300,000 trees by 2030.
Hospital Manager Byron Mtandabari, Activity Coordinator Donna Hughes, and the three service users donned their waterproofs before arriving at the allocated meeting point on Monday 3 March.
Guided by local environmental volunteers, they planted a variety of native tree species, promoting biodiversity and enhancing the green space for future generations.
Donna explained: “We spent time with the other volunteers before given the Health and Safety Practises and an explanation on what impact this would have on our environment.
“Off we then went with spades in hand to our planting area. The ground was quite hard to dig and the good old welsh weather didn’t help but we all laughed as we dug the soil, standing back admiring the little seed tree we had planted, now knowing that the little seed would grow into a mighty tree.”
Byron said he was proud of the patients for getting involved.
He added: “Taking part in activities like this is incredibly rewarding for our service users. It offers an opportunity to connect with nature, contribute to the local community, and gain a real sense of achievement.
“Volunteering can have a hugely positive impact on mental wellbeing, and we’re proud to support our patients in engaging with meaningful projects like the Rhymney Remembrance Park decarbonisation event.”