Welsh woodlands charity Tir Coed went back into the woods last week to ensure trainees were able to complete courses cut short by Covid 19.

The charity, which reconnects people with nature and the great outdoors through volunteering, training and bespoke activity sessions, was forced to halt a number of its woodland management training courses when the country was placed in lockdown following the outbreak of the virus.

Trainees at sites in Carmarthenshire, were delighted to be able to complete their courses, but the opportunity to spend more time in experiencing the woodlands proved the biggest pull of all.

Tony Bell, from Ammanford, was part of the group at Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park near Tumble in Carmarthenshire.

“Working out in the woods has been great for my general well-being and mental health,” he said.

“The benefits I got before lockdown helped me though the past few months, but it is great to be back in the woods again.

“There is so much positive energy that comes from being outside and working with trees.”

Daniel Jones, also from Ammanford, said: “I have learned so much on this course and I now appreciate being outside in the woods so much more.

“It has been so good for me – it has been a real boost to my mental health.”

Tir Coed is a West Wales charity that connects people with land (tir) and woods (coed) engages people with woodlands through volunteering, accredited training and bespoke activity sessions that increase well-being, develop skills and improve our woodlands and green spaces for the benefit of everyone.