If you'd told me a few years ago that I'd be co-founding a charity, I'd probably have laughed and asked if you'd mistaken me for someone far more organised!
The truth is, Taff Rocks was born from real life. My daughter and I created Taff Rocks during some of the most challenging periods of our lives as carers. Like so many people, we experienced the emotional ups and downs that caring can bring.
My future at Taff Rocks.
Awards received.
I'm a full-time carer, an artist at heart, and the proud co-founder of Taff Rocks, a charity that grew from lived experience, resilience and a shared belief in the power of creativity.
My daughter and I founded Taff Rocks during what were, at times, some incredibly challenging periods of our caring journey. We discovered that taking part in art-based projects gave us more than just a creative outlet - it provided moments of calm, connection and purpose when we needed them most. Those experiences inspired us to create a welcoming community where others could experience the same benefits.
While I'm not a qualified art therapist, I've gained invaluable knowledge through lived experience and years of exploring the positive impact that visual arts can have on mental wellbeing. I've seen how creativity can help people express emotions that are difficult to put into words, build confidence, reduce isolation and create meaningful connections. For me, art has never been about perfection; it's about participation, self-expression and finding joy in the process.
Being a full-time carer has taught me resilience, patience and the importance of looking after our own wellbeing as we care for others. It has also reinforced my belief that everyone deserves opportunities to pause, create and connect within a supportive community.
When I'm not involved with Taff Rocks or dashing about being a carer, I enjoy creating art, losing myself in a good book and walking in nature - simple things that continue to inspire and restore me.
I remain passionate about helping Taff Rocks grow into a sustainable charity that continues to make a lasting difference within our community. My hope is that more people will discover that creativity isn't about being artistic; it's about giving yourself the freedom to explore, connect and find moments of wellbeing, whatever your circumstances.
If my journey has taught me anything, it's that even during life's most difficult moments, creativity has the power to bring people together, offer hope and remind us that we are stronger than we often realise.
When my co-founder retired, it felt like the end of a chapter that shaped so much of my life. We built something together that was far more than a charity - it was years of shared ambition, difficult decisions, victories, setbacks, and unwavering trust. Her retirement has left a space that can't simply be filled. While I'm deeply grateful for everything we achieved together and wish her nothing but happiness in this next chapter, I would be lying if I said her departure hasn't had a profound effect on me, both personally and professionally.
As I look towards the future, I find myself thinking more often about my own retirement. Like many major life decisions, it brings a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. But before I can take that step, there is one responsibility that matters above all others: ensuring that Taff Rocks is in the very best hands.
Taff Rocks has never been just an organisation to me. It represents years of commitment, countless acts of kindness, and a community united by a shared purpose. I owe it to everyone who has supported our work - and to those whose lives we have touched - to make sure the charity continues to thrive long after I step aside.
Only when I am confident that there is a strong team, clear leadership, and a secure future for Taff Rocks will I feel ready to retire. My greatest hope is not simply to leave, but to leave knowing that the charity will continue to grow, inspire, and make a difference for many years to come.
That said, I don't think I will ever truly retire. Taff Rocks has become such a part of who I am that I can't imagine walking away completely. My intention will be to remain involved as a trustee, stepping back from the day-to-day project management while still offering guidance and support whenever it's needed. Most importantly, I hope to keep my hands in the Mandala Classes and continue running a few freestyle workshops - staying connected to the creative heart of the charity that has brought me, and so many others, so much joy. That feels less like retirement and more like passing on the responsibility while continuing to do the work I love.
2026 Volunteer Recognition Awards
Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil Volunteer Recognition Awards.
I never do what I do for recognition. Volunteering has always been about making a difference, supporting others, and being part of something bigger than myself. That said, to be recognised in this way is incredibly humbling, and I am so grateful. There is no way I can ever top these! They are so meaningful to me.
Trustee of the Year.
Thank you to Hayley for nominating me for this award. Just being nominated was an honour in itself. This one I knew about in advance, but couldn't say anything until the award ceremony had happened.
Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering Award.
Whilst I was aware of my nomination for the Trustee of the Year, I had no idea about this award. I'm still, with my 'imposter syndrome' trying to understand why and what exactly I did, but I am honoured to have received this.
Smyrna Chapel Community Hall,
Aberfan Road, Aberfan,
Merthyr Tydfil CF48 4QN
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