: Iechyd, Lles ag Amgueddfa Cymru

Sied Dynion yn Big Pit Amgueddfa Lofaol Cymru

Sharon Ford, 14 Mehefin 2020

Dechreuodd y Sied Dynion yn Awstralia 12 mlynedd yn ôl, lle cafodd ei datblygu gan y bwrdd iechyd i daclo problem unigedd ymysg dynion y wlad. Roeddent wedi sylwi bod gan nifer uchel o ddynion ormod o amser ar eu dwylo (o ganlyniad i ymddeoliad, diweithdra, salwch ac ati) a bod hyn yn arwain at ddiflastod, dynion yn dioddef yn dawel o broblemau iechyd meddwl ac, yn yr achosion gwaethaf, hunanladdiad. Mae mudiad y Sied Dynion yn seiliedig ar y dybiaeth fod dynion yn fwy tebygol o fynychu rhywbeth y maen nhw wedi helpu i’w sefydlu, neu y mae ganddyn nhw reolaeth drosto.

Mae Men’s Sheds Cymru, gaiff ei ariannu gan y Loteri Fawr, wedi’i greu er mwyn helpu cymunedau ledled Cymru i sefydlu Siediau Dynion.

Cafodd Sied Lo Big Pit ei lansio ym mis Mai 2019 – y Sied Dynion gyntaf yn Nhorfaen. Mae’r grŵp wedi dod â hen adeilad hanesyddol yn ôl yn fyw – hwn oedd hen weithdy hogi’r pwll glo, lle câi ceibiau’r glowyr eu trwsio. Mae gweithgarwch pob sied yn dibynnu’n llwyr ar sgiliau a diddordebau ei aelodau.

Caiff y Sied Lo ei chefnogi gan Gyngor Tref Blaenafon ac mae wedi derbyn arian gan Western Power Distribution a’r People’s Postcode Lottery. Am fwy o wybodaeth am y Sied Lo, cysylltwch â Sharon Ford. Am fwy o wybodaeth am Siediau Dynion, ewch i www.mensshedscymru.co.uk

 

Comfort in Creativity - Mental Health Awareness Week

Elen Phillips, 21 Mai 2020

Last week, we launched an online questionnaire asking for your experiences and feelings of living in Wales during the coronavirus pandemic. From the responses we’ve received so far, it seems that a number of you are finding comfort and peace of mind through making – from quilts to facemasks, scrub bags to small embroideries. The connection between making and improved mental health is of course widely-known, with studies showing that craft and the visual arts can help to alleviate anxiety and stress in some people.

The textile collection at St Fagans includes several pieces which reveal the historic interplay between craft and mental health. These include needlework stitched by sailors on long voyages away from home, to more formal forms of occupational therapy made by convalescing patients. In all cases, we can only assume that the repetitive rhythm of the making process, and the focus required to complete the task, must have benefitted the makers in some way. I say ‘assume’ because the voices of these makers are usually missing from the narrative, which makes documenting current experiences of crafting through the pandemic even more important.

One of the most poignant pieces in the collection is a tablecloth made at Whitchurch Hospital, embroidered with the signatures of a group of soldier-patients and staff in 1917. During the First World War, the Cardiff City Mental Hospital (as Whitchurch was then called) was ceded to the military and became known as the Welsh Metropolitan War Hospital (1915-19). Civilian psychiatric patients were moved to other institutions, while injured soldiers returning from the frontline occupied their beds. From 1917 until 1919, the hospital specialized in both orthopaedic and mental health conditions.   

The signatures embroidered on the tablecloth include two important figures in the history of psychiatric care in Wales – Dr Edwin Goodall and Matron Florence Raynes. Goodall, an eminent psychiatrist who trained at Guy’s Hospital in London, was appointed the first Medical Superintendent of Whitchurch in 1906, two years before the hospital opened. He was awarded a CBE in 1919 for his pioneering treatment of shell-shock. Florence Raynes was also a trailblazer in her own right, being the first woman to have overall responsibility for the hospital's entire nursing staff. 

The exact reasons for creating the tablecloth are unknown. Was it made as a form of occupational or diversional therapy for the soldiers? Could it have been an exhibition piece or a fund-raiser? Or perhaps initiated as a memento for a patient, nurse or doctor? Despite several attempts in recent years to unravel its history, the tablecloth remains a mystery. 

In general, the feelings and intentions of makers are frustratingly absent from our records, and we know very little about the emotions of the people who crafted the historic objects in our care. How did they feel about making in times of crisis, ill-health or confinement? What did the creative process give them? If you're finding solace in your sewing machine or knitting needles during these difficult days, please consider sharing your lockdown crafting experience with us through the questionnaire. We want to hear your story to ensure that the wellbeing benefits of making in the present do not go untold. 

 

St Fagans Self-guided Mindful Walk

Joe Lewis, 11 Chwefror 2020

We have just launched our self-guided mindful tour here at St Fagans National Museum of History. The tour is through the gardens around St Fagans Castle. Our new free fold-out map of the gardens encourages visitors to take in their surroundings and explore their different senses.

The idea of the tour came from my own experience of using mindfulness for my mental health. St Fagans Castle gardens are beautiful all year round with animals and plants to see whatever the time of year. It is also a place where you can usually find a bit of quiet even during our busier times. Mindfulness is about being in the moment and focusing on individual senses. It’s surprising how much passes us by when we’re focused on our busy lives. Just stopping and concentrating on what you can smell or hear can help in times of stress.

Having the opportunity to walk around the gardens and take in the sights, sounds, smells and textures of nature has been very calming for me. My particular favourite is the Italian Garden in the summer with the running fountain. I feel incredibly lucky to work somewhere where I can do this and I wanted to share it with everyone who visits St Fagans.

Last summer I created a draft plan of a map to test with staff and community groups. Even though it was a very basic map at the time the feedback was very positive:

"Wir wedi mwynhau’r daith - diolch Joe! Braf cael cyfle i grwydro gerddi’r castell a mwynhau’r awyr iach. Diolch!"

“Lovely and peaceful, I like the sound of the water. The gardens were beautiful and very relaxing.”

"Wedi mwynhau gwylio’r colomennod ar ben y colomendy."

“Lots of quiet, secluded areas to sit down. I did find myself stopping to take note of my senses – smelling leaves, listening to the birds”

"Gall hwn fod un o highlights newydd SF"

“It felt like I had permission to take time and look and explore which was so nice.”

The feedback fed into the creation of the final version. It is designed by Frank Duffy who has done a great job of the illustrations and the look of the map. The map was funded by the Armed Forces Covenant who have supported a range of innovative events, displays and programmes at the Museum since 2014. One of the aims of the funding is to support the wellbeing of veterans and their families, so the concept of the mindfulness walk fitted in perfectly with the Covenant’s objectives. Members of the Armed Forces community had a first look at the new maps on 9th December 2019 with very positive feedback for how it could be used to help those living with mental ill health.

Try the tour out for yourself by picking up a copy at St Fagans. The map is available at the front desk or you can download a PDF version here.

Ffa Dringo, Bresych a Cholslo: Cyrsiau garddio a choginio i’r teulu yn Sain Ffagan Amgueddfa Werin Cymru

Loveday Williams, Uwch Swyddog Addysg, Cyfranogiad a Dehongli, 17 Medi 2019

Ym mis Awst fe groesawon ni deuluoedd o Gymdeithas Tai Taf yn Nhreganna ac Ysgol Gynradd Herbert Thompson yn Nhrelái (SHEP, Rhaglen Gwella’r Gwyliau Haf ‘Bwyd a Hwyl’) i Sain Ffagan i ymuno â ni ar gwrs garddio a choginio newydd i’r teulu, fel rhan o’r rhaglen addysg i deuluoedd sy’n cefnogi cynllun Cyfuno a’n hymrwymiadau o dan Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol. Cafodd y rhaglen ei datblygu a’i chynnal mewn partneriaeth ag adran Ehangu Mynediad Prifysgol Fetropolitan Caerdydd a First Campus. Cafodd y teuluoedd gyfle i fwynhau diwrnod o ddysgu yn ymarferol am dyfu bwyd a’i gynaeafu, cyn coginio pryd maethlon gyda chynnyrch wedi’i hel o erddi Sain Ffagan.

Roedd hon yn fenter newydd i ni, ac wedi gweithio allan sut i osod cegin dros dro yn un o’r stiwdios, a chael gafael ar yr holl gyfarpar, roedden ni’n barod amdani.

Mae gerddi Sain Ffagan yn llawn cynnyrch gwych adeg yma’r flwyddyn – ffrwythau, llysiau a pherlysiau – llawer ohonynt yn fathau treftadaeth arbenigol. Fel arfer, caiff cnydau eu harbed a’r hadau eu cynaeafu er mwyn ailblannu’r flwyddyn wedyn, fel rhan o ymchwil parhaus i gnydau treftadaeth. Fodd bynnag, cafodd y teuluoedd fu’n cymryd rhan gyfle i archwilio’r gerddi gyda Juliet Hodgkiss, Uwch Guradur Gerddi. Bu Juliet yn eu dysgu am dyfu a chynhyrchu bwyd, cyn cynaeafu peth o’r cynnyrch i’w ddefnyddio yn y gegin. Ar ôl hel ffa dringo, bresych, shibwns a pherlysiau, roedd hi’n amser mynd nôl i’r dosbarth.

Yno roedd Dean Way, darlithydd mewn Rheoli Lletygarwch ym Mhrifysgol Metropolitan Caerdydd, wrth law i helpu’r teuluoedd i greu pryd hyfryd gyda’r cynnyrch. Dyma beth goginiodd y grwpiau talentog, gan ddilyn ryseitiau Dean:

Colslo Bresych a Ffenigl

½ fresychen fach wedi’i rhwygo

1 bwlb ffenigl, wedi’i dorri’n chwarteri a’i gratio

1 winwnsyn gwyn, wedi’i dorri’n denau

50g iogwrt

1 llwy fwrdd o finegr gwin gwyn

1 llwy fwrdd o siwgr mân

Halen a phupur

Dull

  1. Torrwch y fresychen yn ei hanner, ac yna yn ei chwarter a thynnwch y canol. Yna, gyda chyllell finiog torrwch y fresychen yn stribedi tenau.
  2. Torrwch y bwlb ffenigl yn chwarteri a thynnu’r coesyn – yna gratiwch gyda gratiwr bras.
  3. Pliciwch winwnsyn gwyn a’i dorri’n denau.
  4. Rhowch yr holl lysiau mewn powlen, a’u cymysgu’n dda. Cymysgwch yr iogwrt, y finegr a’r siwgr i’r llysiau, ac ychwanegwch ddigon o bupur du ac ychydig o halen. Gallwch gadw’r colslo wedi’i selio mewn oergell am hyd at ddau/dri diwrnod.
  5. I’w weini gydag wyau wedi’u berwi.

 

Salsa ffa dringo a thomato

3 coden ffa dringo

1 clof o garlleg, wedi’i dorri’n fân

1 winwnsyn coch canolig, wedi’i dorri’n fân

1 tomato mawr, wedi’i dorri’n fân

Sudd hanner lemon

1 llwy de o goriander ffres wedi’i dorri

½ llwy de o bowdr chilli

3 pinsiad o halen a phupur

½ llwy de o gwmin

4 llwy fwrdd o olew hâd rêp

 

Dull

  1. Pliciwch a thorrwch y ffa dringo’n fach a’u berwi’n sydyn mewn dŵr berwedig am ddau funud. Rhowch nhw mewn powlen o ddŵr oer nes maen nhw wedi oeri.
  2. Gwasgwch un clof garlleg a’i dorri’n fân.
  3. Torrwch un winwnsyn coch yn fach iawn.
  4. Torrwch un tomato mawr yn fân.
  5. Torrwch un lemon yn ei hanner
  6. Torrwch lond llaw o goriander yn fân
  7. Rhowch yr holl lysiau mewn powlen, a’u cymysgu’n dda. Cymysgwch yr HOLL gynhwysion a gwasgwch y sudd allan o hanner lemon mewn i’r gymysgedd.

Ar ôl y sesiwn goginio bu Dean yn rhoi gwybodaeth ddiddorol i’r grwpiau ar fwyta’n iach, gan edrych yn agos ar y braster a’r siwgr sy’n cuddio mewn cymaint o fwyd! Edrychwch ar y labeli golau traffig ar becynnau bwyd sy’n dangos os yw bwyd yn uchel (coch), canolig (oren) neu’n isel (gwyrdd) mewn braster, braster dirlawn, siwgr a halen. (NHS online: reference intakes explained)

Cwrs peilot oedd hwn, ac roedden ni gyd yn falch iawn gyda sut aeth pethau. Roedd y ddau grŵp wedi mwynhau eu hamser yn Sain Ffagan, a chawsom adborth hyfryd. Dyma rai o’r uchafbwyntiau:

“Cwrs gwych, fe wnes i fwynhau’n fawr!” (rhiant)

“Mae’r cwrs yn addysgiadol iawn ac fe wnaethon ni gyd fwynhau.” (plentyn)

“Rwy’n medddwl ei fod yn gwrs da iawn ac yn addysgiadol. Rhywbeth sy’n apelio at oedolion a phlant, ac yn gwneud i blant feddwl am fwyd o oed ifanc iawn.” (rhiant)

“Roedden ni’n cael blasu’r perlysiau wrth eu hel. Roeddwn i’n hoffi’r mint – roedd e’n blasu fel gwm cnoi. Yn yr archfarchnad mae perlysiau wedi eu sychu ac mewn pacedi felly allwch chi ddim arogli na chyffwrdd nhw.” (plentyn)

“Mae’r plant eisiau dechrau tyfu llysiau yng ngardd mam-gu – dwi erioed wedi eu gweld yn bwyta llysiau mor gyflym!” (rhiant)

Pan ofynnon ni iddyn nhw beth oedd eu hoff dri pheth am y cwrs, dyma atebion y teuluoedd:

“Dysgu sut i dorri llysiau, trio bwydydd newydd, coginio gyda mam.” (plentyn)

“Paratoi bwyd ffres gyda fy merch, cael dealltwriaeth well o fwyta’n iach, a chasglu llysiau ffres.”

“Hel llysiau, coginio a deall hanes.” (plentyn)

“Dysgu am fraster a siwgr.” (plentyn)

Nawr ein bod wedi profi’r dyfroedd, rydym yn edrych ymlaen at ddatblygu cyfleoedd pellach haf nesaf. Diolch i’r holl deuluoedd a gymerodd ran, ac i’r partneriaid am helpu i wneud i hyn ddigwydd.