Better by Nature
Supporting and Improving Your Health and Wellbeing through Nature
Welcome
Connecting with nature and being active outdoors can improve people's health and wellbeing.
There is considerable evidence to show the benefits and positive outcomes include better weight management, helping to prevent chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and improving mental wellbeing and health by reducing stress and anxiety.
Communal outdoor activities also promote and create social connections with others, again supporting and enhancing wellbeing.
This site gives information on the opportunities provided by groups and organisations across Caerphilly County Borough for people to get more active outdoors and enjoy their green spaces to benefit wellbeing and health. In addition simply to encouraging people to get out informally in their own localities, we want people to understand what's available and where.
These partners have also formed a new Nature Wellbeing Network across the borough which collaborates with GPs, health professionals, and relevant support agencies who can refer people, as and where appropriate, to get involved in outdoor, nature-based activities.
Read More About Nature Wellbeing
Nature Wellbeing Films
Watch our Nature Wellbeing Films supported by the Valleys Regional Park
Cwtsh Nature Wellbeing Films
What's On
The Nature Health Wellbeing Network includes the organisations below, with more being added. Each link leads directly to the provider's website.
Actif Woods
Woodland health and wellbeing activities to help breathe life into your soul, while caring for the environment.
Caerphilly Green Spaces
There’s no better place than the outdoors for fresh air and exercise. Get out and discover what's around you!
Fresh Air Fridays
Taking people outside so they feel good inside. Helping support mental and emotional wellbeing.
Routes2Life - Groundwork Wales
Routes2Life provides beneficiaries of all ages the opportunity to learn and develop a range of practical and horticultural countryside skills, including hedging, strimming, fencing, gardening, pruning and growing fruit and vegetables.
Growing Space
Growing Space offers a range of horticulture, vocational and employability skills at Hafod Deg Resource Centre, Rhymney and Ty Siriol, Caerphilly.
Gwent Wildlife Trust
Protecting wildlife and restoring wild places across Gwent, supported by a growing network of people.
Spirit of Nature - Thriving Communities CIC
We offer a variety of different nature-based activities allowing you to choose how you want to imbibe the restorative and healing benefits of movement and mindfulness activities in nature with other like-minded people.
Community Volunteers Wales
We nurture, we grow, we share and we connect. Committed to creating empowered and robust communities.
The Valleys Regional Park
Connecting people with outdoor initiatives and community projects to create recreational and skills based learning.
URV Wanderers
A mixed group that walks every Monday where you can socialise and get outdoors. Join us!
Inside Out Cymru
Inside Out Cymru is an Arts and Mental Health charity delivering arts workshops and activities across Gwent.
Rhymney Social Strollers
The Rhymney Social Strollers meet on Friday mornings every week - enjoy local routes and some a little further away as well as regular nature discovery trails. A very warm welcome to all, whether you're experienced or just starting to get out.
New Tredegar Social Strollers (Going for Gold)
A new group that enjoys walking and socialising every Tuesday morning with some regular nature discovery activities provided by Gwent Wildlife Trust.
Rhymney Heritage Story Walk
Find out more fascinating stories about the wonderful heritage of Rhymney and the local area in great company each Thursday. Everyone welcome!
Bargoed Outdoor Walk and Talk
A monthly walk (first Tuesday of each month) through Bargoed Woodland Park with Platfform supported by Big Dog Coffee. Great for your mental health and wellbeing!
Penallta Strollers
A weekly walk to enjoy the delights of Parc Penallta Country Park in good company with highlights such as Sultan the Pit Pony and some fantastic views.
Glan-y-Nant Strollers
Two weekend mixed walks from Pengam, one each on Saturday and one on Sunday - meet outside the bakery
St John's Walking Group
Come along for a walk with St John's Walking Group, Nelson. Everybody welcome - every Thursday afternoon.
Pengam Strollers
A long established welcoming group that meets at Bargoed Woodland Park every Thursday (start at the car park at Pengam - come along)
Men.Walk.Talk
A group to help end the stigma of men's mental health and wellbeing the Caerphilly area and beyond! Sunday walks start at 9.30.
Bedwas Riverside Strollers
Bedwas Riverside Strollers meet every Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm in the Fisherman's Rest Car Park in Bedwas for an hour's walk in nature. Come and join us.
Risca Walk and Talk
Great opportunity to meet new people and have a chat whilst enjoying a local walk.
Sessions every Tuesday, 10.30am meet at Risca Leisure Centre
Tarragan Gardens
Taraggan brings people of all backgrounds together, helping them to learn allotment and gardening skills, grow great organic produce, and connect with nature.
URV Men's Den, Rhymney
Enjoy a weekly session each Tuesday afternoon with great company at the Men's Den in Rhymney War Memorial Park.
St David's Churchyard, Rhymney
Next to St David's Church, one of the most interesting Neoclassical buildings in south Wales, the churchyard offers a project to get involved in creating a place for heritage and nature.
Cefn Fforest Eco Park
Regenerated from coal tips, the Eco Park has been nurtured and is cared for by the Friends of the Eco Park. Why not get involved?
Caerphilly Nordic Walking
A great cardio and all-over workout, Nordic walks with a qualified British Nordic Walking Instructor take place each week between 11 am and 12.30 pm on Wednesdays, which rotate between Wyllie, Pengam, Cwmgelli (Blackwood), and Pontywaun (canal)
Van Ward Allotments
Van Allotments brings people of all backgrounds together, helping them to learn allotment and gardening skills, grow great organic produce, and connect with nature.They also offer a weekly walk in Nature at different locations across South Wales with free transport.
Dicky Tickers
The Dicky Tickers based out of Bargoed YMCA is a community group primarily aimed at supporting people diagnosed with heart failure. Each month the group undertakes a nature walk which is open not only to members but anyone who wants to improve their heart health.
Caerphilly Adventure Group
The Caerphilly Adventure Group (CAG) provides outdoor activity opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
All official CAG activities are covered by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) via Caerphilly Adventures. Such events are also covered by CCBC’s public liability insurance.
