Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Cwtsh activities are up and running again for people in the Upper Rhymney Valley. 

Cwtsh is a weekly guide which highlights activities that help improve people’s wellbeing in places across the north of Caerphilly County Borough including Fochriw, Rhymney, Abertysswg and New Tredegar. 

Activities are compiled by Cwtsh with some activities run directly by organisation, such as Cwtsh cafes, and others are run by people in the community including walking groups, creative groups, bingo nights and warm spaces. 

Cwtsh is the ‘public facing brand’ of Integrated Wellbeings Network, which has been running since 2019 and aims to bring a preventative and positive approach to health and well-being.

David Llewelyn, who is the lead for Integrated Wellbeings Networks in Caerphilly, told  Caerphilly Observer the heart of Cwtsh’s mission. 

“We understand that there are huge stresses and strains on medical services. Primary care, secondary care, mental health services,” said David.

“What we try to do is to bring together all of [the] things that can contribute positively within a community to support people’s health and wellbeing.

“It’s about collectively working with people in the community. We’re all partners in this.”

‘Cwtsh’, works as the face of the brand as it is an understandable way to show people that the aim is to embrace the community – with cwtsh meaning hug or cuddle in Welsh. 

The guides are available online as well as in local libraries, but there is more to be done in both getting people involved and getting the message out.

“We’re conscious that we’re still really just scraping the surface,” said David. 

There are upcoming meetings in Rhymney and New Tredegar which people can attend to find out more about Cwtsh.

The meetings will take place on January 24 at St David’s Community Centre, Rhymney and in New Tredegar on January 26.