From Wales

“One of the benefits for me involves the slowing down of many of life’s moments, which otherwise may be missed. Stepping out of automatic pilot to see, feel, hear or just be, is such a simple but amazing act.” (Tess) Tess Sutton is based in Machynelleth. She has been...

“Walking among trees isn’t just a break; it’s a reminder that I belong to something bigger than myself.” (Gary) Since 2018, The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI) has been nurturing mindful communities by running guided nature-based mindfulness sessions known as Forest...

“Quietening the chattering mind is a difficult skill but enables us in life (and schools) to access learning and usefully manage stress as we go through life’s adventure.” (Penny Moon) A Quiet Place is based in Liverpool but also operates in North Wales. It was...

“Mindfulness here goes far beyond learning to chew our food slowly and taste it, although that’s a start. It means thinking of everyone who helped to bring it to us. It means thinking of all the non-human beings involved in creating our food, from soil bacteria to...

Izzy Sogorb is Speech and Language Therapy student at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Even though she has a background in mindfulness, with meditation playing an important role in her homelife from a young age, it was not until she had an opportunity to take part in...

“A way of living our lives with care, attention, kindness and compassion to alleviate suffering and benefit ourselves and everyone else.”  (Mindful Compassion Partnership) David Oldham has been working with and teaching mindfulness for over 25 years. Based in...

“I incorporate elements of mindfulness in all of the singing groups that I facilitate, whether that  is the beginners’ group for lung health, the weekly community choirs or the annual 100+ singer “Sing for Water” fundraiser.” (Susie Ennals, Singing Facilitator)...

“I believe that mindfulness practice and living more mindfully has a trickle-down effect, developing a more positive community in which people feel valued and safe; individuals feel nurtured and confident.” (Gavin Sharp) As a teacher of young people with complex needs...

‘As a uni student, mindfulness is teaching me to sit with discomfort and to notice stress. As a netballer it allows me to notice frustration, let it pass and focus on the next passage of play. Most of all, as a family member and friend, mindfulness has taught me to...

“I have found meditation really helpful in my personal life, and it has benefited my work greatly as I can tune in to certain mindful aspects of my work with the children to make gardening an enjoyable and calming experience.” (Manon Webb ~ Children’s Garden Club...

“I have noticed that all my mindfulness work builds connection between participants. This is particularly rewarding in the workplace and trainee situations, where mutual support and trust grows with the practices.” (Dr Julia Wallond, GP) Machynlleth based GP, Julia...

“When we make a choice to remove the devices from our hands and pockets we remove the barrier to mindfulness.” (Kristy Guest, co-founder Project Holding Space) Project Holding Space (PHS) offers informal mindfulness experiences through nature-connection, ranging from...

The Rock Through Life group, based in the Bridgend area, was set up several years ago to support people who had completed an 8-week mindfulness course to keep their meditation practice going.  During lockdown, to enable connection in those long days of isolation,...

“Bringing relationships alive, with ourselves, other humans and the other beings on the planet.” Wild mindfulness is an exciting project that brings together the lifelong passions of Heather Bolton, an experienced therapist and mindfulness teacher from North Wales....

‘As an informal practitioner, I am very clear subjectively that meditation enormously benefits my life.’ (Alun Williams County Councillor) County Councillor Alun Williams took part in a formal mindfulness course many years ago and has since continued to practise...

Sioned and Elin both grew up on farms in rural north Wales and are old friends. After first meeting while studying for a psychology degree 30 years ago their professional lives took different paths. After a few years working in education and welfare Sioned returned to...

‘I love the simple definition of mindfulness as paying attention. If that is what we are doing in our practice then whatever shows up can be welcomed. Of course, the reality is more challenging than the theory, but it is wonderful to have this as our north star!’...

Providing accessible, affordable well-being through mindfulness “Through relational mindfulness we can foster cohesion in communities where there is a desperate need for accessible and practical ways to support mental and physical health. Mindfulness Based Approaches...

Dr Jo Soldan is a Clinical Psychologist and internationally trained mindfulness teacher based in Maggie’s Cancer Centre, Cardiff. Here she offers Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer, both for people living with a cancer diagnosis and for their relatives....

“Every Y7 should do this!” “It calms me down.” “It really helps with school work if you’re not so stressed.” That’s the verdict of pupils at Llangatwg Community School in Neath where the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP) .b...

Aimed at people wanting to get fit, get healthy, runners, walkers, hikers, active people, ultrarunners - all of us really, the Cardiff Running Show sets out to build mindfulness into a programme of wellbeing in the context of running. The Cardiff Running Show is a...

Introducing Mindfulness with Future Generations Commissioner’s Team and Leadership Academy A chance conversation can sometimes have unexpected impact proving how our interconnected networks in Wales can contribute to Nurturing Mindful Communities.  Mindfulness...

Juliet Firstbrook discovered meditation as a class teacher and taught mindfulness and meditation to children from 4-14.  She went on to train to teach mindfulness to adults and has continued to develop resources.  Juliet says: “I create Personalised...

Our morning sessions provides a space for connection, company, a variety of mindfulness meditation practices and mutual support.  The team of trained mindfulness teachers offers sessions from Tuesday to Friday each week from 10-11am and with their different...

Theatr Cynefin, in collaboration with Psychologist Sarah Gregg, is proud to announce the rollout of the 'Coming to Our Senses' creative mindfulness course to five health boards across Wales, marking a significant expansion from its initial success at Aneurin Bevan...

Who fancies a Mindfulness Art Trail in the stunning environment of the Art Galleries in the National Museum of Wales (NMW) in Cardiff?  Designed for visitors to the National Museum and art lovers, as well as those who would like to explore art in a more...

The mindfulness we teach is entirely secular but since most religions have a contemplative tradition, it is compatible with religious beliefs and spirituality.  That compatibility is especially strong with the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a global spiritual leader,...

My name is Paul, and I am a science teacher with experience in pastoral leadership at the secondary school level. My journey into mindfulness began when I attended a Mindfulness in Action course led by Vishvapani Blomfield. This experience sparked a deep...

What started as a means of connection and support during lockdown has, by popular demand, become part of the fabric of the week for staff in Powys County Council providing an opportunity for staff to relax, be grounded and be in the present. Our thirty-minute term...

Mindfulness is vital for healthcare staff: improving the wellbeing and compassion of healthcare staff Healthcare staff, mainly medical students and doctors in Swansea Bay University Health Board/ Swansea medical school have benefited from Enhanced Stress Resilience...

Prisons often house those who have been through very traumatic experiences in their childhoods which have often been missed by society.  A prison environment can be an intimidating and hostile place to visit, so taking time to give people safety and space to check in...

It was a Health and Wellbeing Learning Walk with Governors that brought home the impact of mindfulness throughout the school at Garnteg Primary School, just north of Pontypool in South Wales. Seeing how pupils relate to one another and to staff, their levels of...

Annette Thomas, who is based in Wrexham, North Wales but offers services globally online, has recently established CreativelyReflect to help individuals and communities thrive through creative and mindful tools that foster self-reflection, and connection. She offers...

Thriving Communities is a dynamic not-for-profit Community Interest Company based in Caerphilly and the surrounding area. Its mission is to create positive, happy, healthy, and thriving communities throughout South Wales. It was set up in 2021 and now has four...

Bishopston Primary School in Gower, South Wales began their mindfulness journey in 2021 in response to needs identified by the pupils themselves and observations of the impact of the disruption of lockdown.  As they developed their mindfulness provision they have...