Last week, Angus Fergusson, Natalie Green, Fraser Worth and Rosie Lyne had the privilege of representing Mooneerams Solicitors at the formal opening of a new wellbeing ‘pod’ or ‘bunker’ at Lakeside Primary School, Cardiff.
The pod was funded by our Charity of the Year, Bronwen’s W;sh.
Jayne Bryant, MS, Minister for Mental Health and Early Years in the Welsh Government, performed the ribbon cutting ceremony, assisted by former Wales and Cardiff City football legend Paul Parry.
In addition to the school’s teachers, staff, and pupils, another fifty invited guests also attended the event.
The pod has been named ‘Ty Bronwen’ in memory of former Lakeside pupil and teaching assistant Bronwen Morgan. Bronwen tragically passed away by suicide in August 2020 after many years of battling mental health issues.
Ty Bronwen sits in a woodland area of the school grounds called The Forest and will provide a peaceful retreat for pupils who wish to escape from the bustle of everyday school life or when experiencing emotional issues. The pod offers them a safe space to be alone or with a trusted friend to whom they can talk about their problems.
Following her death, Bronwens family and close friends felt driven to strive for change within the mental health system and provide a legacy for Bronwen. They decided that funding wellbeing pods within a school setting, specifically dedicated to the emotional wellbeing of the children from the school, would align perfectly with what Bronwen herself would have wanted to do.
The design and building of the pod was very much a collaborative effort. Ty Bronwen was dreamed of, designed and built within three and a half years!
Bronwen’s father, Haydn Morgan, summed up the thoughts of her family and friends when he said:
“After three years of planning, it has been a very emotional day celebrating the launch of our very first Bronwen’s W;sh wellbeing pod, and it has been inspiring and uplifting to see Ty Bronwen in use and to hear from the children how much they can benefit from this peaceful space.”
As the children of Lakeside Primary School look forward to many years of using the tranquil space provided by Ty Bronwen for the trustees and friends of Bronwen’s W;sh, this is just the start, albeit a beautiful and memorable start.
Soon, the next pod for another local school will be completed to continue Bronwen’s legacy.
The cost of constructing a pod like Ty Bronwen is not inconsiderable despite the kindness of numerous individuals and organisations who have provided their services for free. Any money Mooneerams can raise during 2024 will go to Bronwen’s W;sh to help them fund the building of more wellbeing pods like Ty Bronwen.
If you would like to make a donation, however small, to this marvellous charity, please visit our JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/mooneerams-charity-of-the-year
