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The army veteran volunteers, working together with staff from the museums historic buildings unit, helped install the benches along the new tarmac pathway which leads up to Bryn Eryr Iron Age farmstead, the first building to be completed as part of the St Fagans National History Museum redevelopment project.

The army veterans were volunteering through Change Step, a Welsh charity supporting veterans to make positive lifestyle changes, with support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund.

The benches, which allow those with limited mobility to reach the new buildings on the site more easily, are also sited with space for wheelchairs so that as many as possible can enjoy a day out at St Fagans, Wales’ most popular outdoor visitor attraction. 

Bethan Lewis, Head of St Fagans, “Visitors of all ages enjoy a day out at St Fagans so we were aware of the need to install benches for people to rest and enjoy the surroundings.

“The Change Step volunteers have done a fantastic job and the benches were installed just in time for the summer holidays. Their work has been a vital contribution to our redevelopment project here at St Fagans and I hope they enjoyed the experience.”

David Ireland, Peer Mentor for Cardiff and the Vale Change Step, said,

“This project enabled veterans from across the South Wales region to come together, make new friends and take part in something that would be beneficial to the museum and its visitors, for years to come.

“Many of the Change Steppers who took part suffer with PTSD and socialisation issues and this was the first time some of them had left their homes for a considerable period of time.

“The museum staff were fantastic and did a great job of making the veterans feel welcome, safe and valued. I cannot stress how much this has aided their recoveries.

“When the first bench was unveiled, complete with commemorative plaque, I font think there was a dry eye in the house.

“I hope that going forward, Change Step and Museums Wales continue to complete projects together for the benefit of the museum, the people of Wales and to the Veterans themselves.”

Building work continues at St Fagans National History Museum as the site undergoes the biggest redevelopment project in the history of the Museum.  This has been made possible by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Welsh Government and other supporters. St Fagans was awarded the largest grant ever given by the HLF in Wales in 2012 to help tell the stories of life in Wales over 200,000 years and more.

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales operates seven museums across Wales including St Fagans National History Museum, National Museum Cardiff, the National Roman Legion Museum, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, the National Wool Museum, the National Slate Museum and the National Waterfront Museum.

Entry to all seven national museums is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Government.

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