Spotlight on Ponthafren
by Karen Greenough.
On the bank of the river Severn in Newtown, Montgomeryshire, in a beautiful period house, framed by tiered gardens sits Ponthafren a mental health charity. Behind its peaceful exterior lies a powerhouse of support, recovery, and community.
Since its beginnings as a small support group in 1992. Ponthafren became a registered charity in 1994, and more recently evolved into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2022. Today, it operates two wellness, learning, and recovery centres in North Powys—one in Newtown and the other at the Armoury in Welshpool—alongside a network of outreach and remote services.
During my visit to the Newtown centre, I met with Operations Manager Rachael Harris, who shared insight into the breadth of support offered by Ponthafren.
A Community of Care
If you take a look at Pothafren’s website you will discover that their aim is :
“To provide a caring community, offering support to those in need and to promote positive mental health and well-being for all.”
To achieve this aim Ponthafren supports its service users in many ways. At its core is the counselling service, built around a person-centred model. With nine qualified counsellors and up to twelve student counsellors, the team manages a waiting list that averages around 10–12 weeks. Typically, clients receive one assessment and seven sessions, though this can be tailored to individual needs. Once counselling sessions are completed, some may step down into CBT support, either one-to-one or via the SilverCloud online CBT programme (run in partnership with Mid North Powys Mind and Brecon Mind.)
Not all support is clinical. Ponthafren also offers practical one-to-one support, helping people with issues such as benefits and housing. Similar to the Citizens Advice Bureau, all be it without their powers, however if necessary they can link services users to the CAB directly.
The support provided by Ponthafren can be very wide ranging! Rachael likened it to pulling rabbits out of hats! One great example? A volunteer offering ukulele lessons to a bed-bound woman!
More Than Just Support
The centre’s work extends well beyond counselling. There’s a daily drop-in session from 11–3, where an average of 20–30 people per day come for coffee, conversation, and connection. In Welshpool, the numbers are smaller, but the spirit is the same.
Ponthafren also has a wide range of volunteering opportunities. A new initiative is the “Pont y Waith” (Bridge to Work) project which is designed to support people who’ve been out of employment long-term. Participants begin with a three-month placement at Ponthafren to build confidence and employment skills, before moving on to placements with local businesses and charities. They leave not only with a year of valuable work experience and up to four references. Rachael explains that she has seen very positive results using this scheme in one of her previous roles.
The creative and wellbeing activities are just as impressive:
- Exercise and fitness courses (including access to a gym at the Welshpool centre)
- Creative arts classes
- Gardening groups—with the gardens open to the public through the National Garden Scheme
- Woodworking sessions in the cellar room every Thursday afternoon
On my tour of the centre, I got real of how lived-in and loved the building is, with it’s stained glass windows, comfy sofa’s, calm counselling rooms, and outdoor seating nooks Ponthafren provides a safe, warm and welcoming environment for all.
The kitchen, signed off as a fully working space, hosts events like “Baked Potatoes and Bingo” evenings. The gardens, terraced and lush, stretch right down to the riverside. A vegetable patch produces food that’s left outside the building with a donation jar—fresh produce grown and shared with the community.
Post-Vention Support
Another vital service offered by Ponthafren is post-vention support. Within 72 hours of a referral from the health board, their dedicated workers reach out to offer support to those affected by suicide or sudden bereavement—ensuring no one has to navigate trauma alone.
Get in Touch
Ponthafren is more than a service. It’s a space of connection, creativity, and compassion—a haven for anyone in North Powys in need of support or simply a sense of belonging. Whether it’s through counselling, gardening, creative expression, or just a cup of coffee and a chat, the team here is making a tangible difference.
You can refer yourself for any of the services provided by Ponthafren you can call the centre on the number below or go along in person. Alternatively you can complete the self referral form on their website by clicking HERE
Ponthafren Newtown
Longbridge Street, Newtown, Powys SY16 2DY
tel: 01686 621586 email: admin@ponthafren.org.uk
Ponthafren Welshpool
The Armoury, Brook Street, Welshpool SY21 7NA
tel: 01938 552770 email: admin@ponthafren.org.uk
Alternatively you can message them through their facebook page