LLANSAMLET: Riverside boardwalk and sensory garden open at Coed Brân day service

A day service in Llansamlet has thrown open its doors to show off spaces its own service users helped create, including a new riverside boardwalk and a sensory garden.

Coed Brân Day Service welcomed families, local organisations and community groups to an open day on Tuesday, with service users cutting the ribbon on the boardwalk themselves.

The boardwalk and viewing platform sit beside the river at the centre, giving people a way to enjoy the surrounding nature and take part in outdoor activities.

The sensory garden was once an unused outdoor space. Staff and service users have turned it into a peaceful area with decorative displays, water features and places to relax, paid for through fundraising and the service’s own activities, Swansea Council says.

Visitors were also treated to demonstrations from the centre’s Healthy Club, a wellbeing initiative built around cooking activities, healthy eating sessions and social connection, which the council says has grown steadily since it began.

The growing happens on site in more ways than one: staff and service users raise fruit and vegetables at the centre, which end up in cookery sessions and on sale at community events and coffee mornings.

Cllr Hayley Gwilliam, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for adult wellbeing, said: “It’s fantastic to see these improvements at Coed Brân and the positive impact they’re already making for service users.

“Many of the additions have been shaped by the ideas and efforts of staff and service users, who worked together to transform these spaces and create new opportunities for people attending.”

Deborah Webb, strategic operations manager for Coed Brân, said the changes “reflect the enthusiasm, creativity and dedication of both our staff and service users”.

“From turning an unused outdoor space into a beautiful sensory garden, to creating a new way to enjoy the lovely riverside, these achievements show what can be accomplished when we work together to improve wellbeing, build confidence and strengthen community connections,” she said.

Coed Brân was created when the New Horizons and Maesglas day services merged, bringing both together at the former Swansea Vale Resource Centre.

The service offers activities including cooking, arts, crafts, gardening and community projects, with support tailored to people’s individual strengths, interests and goals.

Anyone wanting to learn more about the service or arrange a visit can do so at swansea.gov.uk/coedbrandayservice.