A visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales to our organisational member Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre has helped shine a light on the benefits of counselling.

The royal couple visited the centre near Pontyclun in south Wales to hear first-hand about the work it does to support people struggling with the effects of drug and alcohol addiction.

During the visit, Their Royal Highnesses talked to clients and their families about their journeys, and met with staff at the centre.

They announced their Royal Foundation will work with Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre and Life at No27 鈥� a horticultural therapy and counselling provider 鈥� to create a set of therapy allotments and gardens.

Mental health

Paul Doster, a 香港六合彩精准资料 member and head of therapy at Brynawel, said: 鈥淚t was an honour they chose to come here.

鈥淭he energy in the staff team was amazing. It鈥檚 done wonders for all aspects of the work we do and the good that鈥檚 going to come from this for years to come is something else.鈥�

He added: 鈥淚t puts mental health to the fore again and talks about the importance of therapy and counselling and different ways of working with people.

鈥淧rince William spoke to some of the people who have been through the programme and now come back as volunteers and are training as peer mentors.

鈥淭hey had their families with them and he was interested in their journeys through the process, how they鈥檇 found the therapy, how life had been before coming in.

鈥淗e spent some time speaking to family members about the changes they鈥檇 noticed and how life was now they鈥檇 been through the programme.

鈥淭here was a genuine interest from both of them, which was fantastic.鈥�

Informed, engaged, empathic

Sue Gwyn, the centre鈥檚 executive director, said she was 鈥渂lown away鈥� by the royal couple.

鈥淚 was taken aback at how genuine they were,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey were so well informed, so engaged, so empathic."

Sue added: 鈥淲e were talking about the Princess鈥檚 interest in early years and building resilience in families and childhood.

鈥淚t was lovely. A really lovely day."

Picture credit: Kensington Palace/Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre