Seven years ago, Cameron moved into Ty Undeb, a residential service in Dyfed run by Integra Community Living Options, part of National Care Group. Ty Undeb supports seven adults living with long-term mental health conditions and other complex needs, and for the past seven years, the team, including support worker Phil, have been by Cameron’s side. First as his keyworker, and now as the support worker who helps him get out, get active, and do the things he loves most.
One of those things is volunteering – and it’s changed Cameron’s life.
Finding the Right Fit for Cameron
Cameron has always found social situations difficult. Over the years, he tried a number of hobbies and volunteering opportunities, but nothing quite stuck. That changed around 18 months ago, when he started volunteering with Coed Lleol Small Woods, a Wales-wide charity that helps people improve their health and wellbeing through woodland and nature-based activities.
At first, even Small Woods felt daunting, but the charity’s open, outdoor setting gave Cameron something he hadn’t had before: choice. He could dip in and out of being sociable, spend time working quietly on his own, or join in with the group – whatever felt right on the day. With the Ty Undeb Team’s encouragement, Cameron began gently pushing outside his comfort zone, and slowly a hobby he has grown to love took root.
A Community Perfectly Built Outdoors
Volunteering days at Small Woods are varied and hands-on. Cameron has taken part in coppicing, trimming trees and bushes, growing herbs, foraging, building woodland corridors for insects and small animals, learning to use new tools, and even tidying children’s play areas. Together, he and Phil once planted 60 to 70 fruit bushes throughout the woodland, which was just one of many projects Cameron has thrown himself into.
However, it’s the impact on his confidence and wellbeing that stands out most. When Cameron first started, he stayed close to his support workers, needing plenty of encouragement even to say hello. Now, he heads off on his own the moment he arrives, catching up with the friends he’s made along the way.
Cameron especially loves getting to practice his love of cooking by preparing homemade dishes to contribute to the communal meals the volunteers enjoy together.
"Phil is caring, and we get on alright. When we are away from home we have fun, banter and some good spirited boys-talk."
Cameron’s love of gardening has flourished too. He uses the charity’s polytunnel to grow plants from seed, including herbs like mustard and burdock, which another volunteer uses to make natural fabric and wool dyes for craft projects – the group even plans to make dandelion and burdock together at an upcoming teaching day. At home, Cameron grew a batch of foxgloves from seed, then dug them up and planted all 60 to 70 of them in the woodland himself, entirely without support, giving him a huge sense of achievement.
"I'm so proud of Cameron, and of the whole team, for the hard work they put in every day - not just in supporting the people who live here, but in helping them give back to their community too. Seeing Cameron grow in confidence through volunteering is exactly why we do what we do.
Volunteering has given Cameron far more than a new hobby. It’s given him a community, a renewed sense of purpose, and the confidence to be himself, both within the woodland and beyond it. He’s no longer the shy person he once was outside of Ty Undeb – he’s someone with friends to catch up with, skills to share, and a place where he genuinely belongs.
At National Care Group, we believe everyone we support should have the opportunity to volunteer, connect and grow, if that’s what they choose. Cameron’s story is a brilliant example of the difference the right opportunity and the right support can make.
Integra Community Living Options is registered with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) to provide support to adults with mental health support needs in South and West Wales.
Read their annual CIW Return, here.
National Care Group is one of the UK’s leading adult social care providers. We support adults with learning disabilities, mental health diagnoses, acquired brain injuries, and autistic people, with services across England and Wales.
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