Back to news & events
Swapping the Wards for the Woods
26/09/2016
Patients from the Teenage Cancer Trust in Cardiff swapped the four walls of the hospital unit for the tranquillity of Tythegston Woods near Bridgend and picked up a few bushcraft skills too during their visit.
Stephanie creating embers to start a fire, closely watched by Tracy Carr from WPD, Tanisha and Anna Davies, Youth Support Co-ordinator at Teenage Cancer Trust.
We have funded these sessions which allowed patients to enjoy the open space and calm of the woods; they learnt some ancient skills, built a den and cooked lunch around a cosy camp fire.
Steph Thompson, Bushcraft leader explains: “Bushcraft is all about getting outdoors and connecting with your surroundings, it allows us to 'switch off' and tune out of the everyday.
“Giving the patients a break from the routine of treatment and appointments makes a refreshing change in a beautiful setting.”
Lighting a fire using ancient methods was a particular highlight for Tanisha Thomas who recently completed her treatment, she said: “It is amazing what you can create from a couple of simple resources like wood and string. I would encourage anyone to give bushcraft a try, it’s fun and you can learn some useful skills along the way.”
Tracy Carr, Community Liaison Officer from WPD who joined in the bushcraft tasks added: “Steph makes these sessions such fun you don’t realise just how much you are learning. Supporting activities like this and giving patients the opportunity to explore hidden talents will hopefully give them a much needed boost wherever they are in their treatment plan.”
Everyone joins in as a chilli lunch is prepared over a camp fire.
Stephanie creating embers to start a fire, closely watched by Tracy Carr from WPD, Tanisha and Anna Davies, Youth Support Co-ordinator at Teenage Cancer Trust.
We have funded these sessions which allowed patients to enjoy the open space and calm of the woods; they learnt some ancient skills, built a den and cooked lunch around a cosy camp fire.
Steph Thompson, Bushcraft leader explains: “Bushcraft is all about getting outdoors and connecting with your surroundings, it allows us to 'switch off' and tune out of the everyday.
“Giving the patients a break from the routine of treatment and appointments makes a refreshing change in a beautiful setting.”
Lighting a fire using ancient methods was a particular highlight for Tanisha Thomas who recently completed her treatment, she said: “It is amazing what you can create from a couple of simple resources like wood and string. I would encourage anyone to give bushcraft a try, it’s fun and you can learn some useful skills along the way.”
Tracy Carr, Community Liaison Officer from WPD who joined in the bushcraft tasks added: “Steph makes these sessions such fun you don’t realise just how much you are learning. Supporting activities like this and giving patients the opportunity to explore hidden talents will hopefully give them a much needed boost wherever they are in their treatment plan.”
Everyone joins in as a chilli lunch is prepared over a camp fire.
Tagged under
- About Us