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Wildflower seeds have been planted in and around Ystrad Mynach’s Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in an effort to boost wellbeing and relieve stress.

Staff and volunteers from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, as well as research assistants from Cardiff University, are involved in the ‘rewilding’ project.

Research assistant Phoebe Nicklin, of Cardiff University, said: “This is an ongoing project with patients, visitors and staff, getting people involved for their wellbeing.

“We’re really hoping on two accounts to see the environmental benefits of the biodiverse landscape, and we’re hoping to see the wellbeing benefits of the visitors, the staff, the patients, everybody who comes here.”

The health board said encouraging activity in green spaces provides numerous mental and physical health benefits and can help with heart disease conditions, as well as lowering levels of obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

The project also has a focus on boosting biodiversity to support pollinators such as bees, with the hospital having its own beehive.

The beehive, which is maintained by members of Cardiff University’s Pharmabees team, as well as hospital staff during their breaks, is believed to hold more than 35,000 bees.

Jane Thornton, hospital manager at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, said: “We’re all trying to work together to build a much greener Wales. It’s lovely because we’re getting more and more involved.

“It’s encouraging people from different areas of the hospital to come out and work together and have a bit of fun at lunch time.”