6 reasons to visit a National Trust site this year

We have been awarded a special pass from the National Trust that will allow First Choice Tenants to visit any National Trust site in Wales free of charge. You don’t even need to pay for your parking! This pass allows groups of up to 50 people to attend any National Trust site.

Here are 6 reasons why First Choice Tenants should visit a National Trust site before the offer expires in November.

First Choice have the pass available for all tenants across Wales, Shropshire and Telford, so please contact if you are interested!

Email: customerserivces@fcha.org.uk

Phone: 029 2070 3758

1. To help with your exercise or wellbeing goals.

Whether you want to get out in the fresh air more or to see how far you can push yourself on a walk, the National Trust sites are the perfect place to do that!

Walking keeps our bodies and minds healthy, giving us a breather from the stresses of daily life and the space to gather our thoughts. Exploring open countryside also brings us closer to nature, giving us time to notice what being outdoors has to offer. You can read more about the health and wellbeing benefits here.

2. Creating or joining a group for Photography or Wildlife Spotting

If you enjoy taking photographs or love to spot wildlife, the National Trust sites are definitely some of the best places to put your hobby into practice.

The scenic routes throughout Wales might inspire you to get your cameras out and take photographs. Maybe of the sun breaking through the trees, or taking a selfie in front of the rolling Welsh hills.

We know there were many Tenants who took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch event in 2021. Tenants made a note of all of the birds they spotted nibbling at their bird feeders in the Autumn. Now is the perfect opportunity to take those new bird spotting skills out into the countryside!

3. To meet friends and family outdoors.

Up to 50 people are allowed to attend the National Trust sites so why not take your family and friends? There are some lovely places for a cup of tea or a picnic.

This is a fantastic opportunity for your loved ones too! COVID-19 has stopped us all from doing the things we enjoy and seeing the people we care about. Using the National Trust pass is a good way of bringing people together.

4. To learn about the history of the site.

Some of the National Trust sites are home to some of the most beautiful buildings in the UK. There are many opportunities for you to take a guided tour to learn more about the history of the place.

Each tour doesn't take long and will help you understand what these buildings were used for many years ago. You can also walk through the gardens and beside the rivers.

5. To join in with some volunteering.

Help look after a community garden, allotment and orchard by joining the Friends of Felin volunteering group. Sessions run every second Saturday of the month and welcomes anyone from aged 14 and above. Join one of National Trusts' clean ups and help give the estate a good tidy up by collecting rubbish and checking for any damage to the signs and gates. If you’ve joined one of their active groups, take things one step further and help out on sports volunteering days, where you can help to restore the pathways to ensure they are fit or many more trainers to walk, run and jog along in the future. If you’re looking for a great way to spend your time, there are a range of regular volunteering opportunities, from welcoming visitors in the house to outdoor conservation in the garden and on the estate.

6. Because more and more sites are accessible!

Although some of the walks may be more difficult if you have issues with your mobility, a lot of parks are improving their accessibility. This means that Tenants with wheelchair requirements and other needs will have access to a number of these beautiful sites. Why not use the pass to experience what’s on offer?

If you search on the internet for a National Trust property or site, you will find their ‘Access Statement’ on their website. These Access Statements help people to understand the facilities available and help people to make their own decisions about visiting. The National Trust is developing their accessibility and making improvements. This means that more people with a disability should be able to enjoy the sites and have a more positive experience.

If you feel like some exercise, you can find a full list of the National Trust accessible walks here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/our-top-accessible-walks

So which of the 6 reasons are you most interested in? Let us know!

Email: customerserivces@fcha.org.uk

Phone: 029 2070 3758

Tenant Activities: DANCECLUSION

In North Wales we have been contacted by a dance class for people with learning difficulties and additional needs that FCHA believe would be a fantastic opportunity for our north Wales tenants to learn how to dance!

Josh sent us some information about him and his dance class Danceclusion to share with everybody:

About Josh:

Hello! my name is Josh, and I am so excited to be starting this new venture. I have danced all my life and trained professionally, also gaining my AISTD teaching qualifications. I have performed and taught all over the world, such as Disneyland, Cruise Ships, UK Tours, Stage and TV. I am now a full-time support worker which I thoroughly enjoy, and so I wanted to merge my two passions of dance and support working together to create more opportunities for adults with additional needs!

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Information about the class….

“This project is to improve motor skills, self-esteem, and confidence in students with additional needs. Studies have shown that dance has a positive impact on both mental and physical health. Students with varying degrees of disabilities have the potential to become more social, better coordinated, and more confident by incorporating dance into their lifestyle. Experiments have been conducted to prove that dance is not only a positive outlet for individuals with disabilities, but also a key point in beginning their creative and artistic personalities.”

If you require support, you will be politely asked for your support worker/carer to stay for the duration of the session.

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-The session is held at

Directions

King’s Hall, Prestatyn- King’s Avenue

LL19 9AA.

-Every Thursday 11-12.15pm

-Each session is £4 cash per student (Support workers and staff go free).

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Joshua Allan A.I.S.T.D

Mobile- 07494418702

E-Mail- josharmstrong10@hotmail.co.uk

Fully DBS checked

Full Public Liability Insurance

First Aid Trained

FCHA & Keep Wales Tidy Garden Project

Keep Wales Tidy run the 'Local Places for Nature' initiative that offers a range of free garden packages with the intention to reverse nature's decline and boost well-being throughout communities in Wales.

First Choice were awarded some of these garden packages, allowing improvements to the garden space for tenants and giving nature a home. All tenants were involved in participating or supervising First Choice staff and tenants' support staff with planting various herbs and wildflowers in their gardens to create a small wildlife friendly garden filled with a variety of habitats for pollinators to thrive.

Keep Wales Tidy supplied us with fruit and herb garden packages for 2 properties in Neath and Cardiff. Keep Wales Tidy also provided the tools and equipment for us to be able to develop the gardens with ease. Included in a fruit and herb garden package:

Five fruit trees Ten soft fruit bushes Ten herb and pollinator plants Fruit tree handbook Peat-free compost Gloves Hand tools (fork, spade, secateurs, trowel) Wildflower seed containing 24-nectar rich UK native species

Lynette, who's garden has been mentioned in previous blogs, was incredibly excited to get involved. She helped dig holes and plant the produce in the her garden and is looking forward to seeing what comes out of the garden in Neath.

Kathryn, the Project Officer for Keep Wales Tidy in Neath and Jessie, the "Local Places for Nature" Coordinator attended as well, overseeing how the garden was being developed and provided essential information to the tenants on how to properly use the tools, soil and plants that were provided to give them the knowledge to get the best out of their garden!

We would like to thank Keep Wales Tidy (especially Kathryn and Jessie), support staff and First Choice tenants for helping us give nature a home at our properties, increase biodiversity, and improve wellbeing for tenants and their support networks.

We have 2 more projects in Neath and Powys as well as trees being delivered to all 4 of the properties in the next few weeks as well!

Garden Project Slideshow