Feel Good Factory

Campaign: National Lottery Awards - Feel Good Factory
 
Client: The National Lottery Promotions Unit

A community survey in Bryncynon in 1999 identified alarming levels of mental illness and depression in young people, a higher than usual premature death rate, and overall health levels 10 times below the national average. Determined to take positive action, residents joined forces to transform a run-down church into The Feel Good Factory: Bryncynon Healthy Living Centre.

Lottery funding paid for the extensive renovation work of an old, iconic church. This included creating an extra floor level and an extension, which now houses a popular community café. A second grant was used to re-landscape the old church grounds into a garden for everyone to enjoy.

Inside the building, much of the space has been left open, so it can be used for a wide range of social and health-related events. These include yoga classes, line-dancing, bingo, community fun days, parent and toddler classes, and seasonal fairs. There are also consultation rooms, where residents can book appointments to see a nurse or other health specialists. And at any time of the day, the doors are open for people to come and seek advice or get information about other services.