The Outdoor Partnership works with clubs, schools, individuals, and cross-sector partners to strengthen the conditions that enable people in West Wales to achieve their potential through outdoor activities, participation, volunteering, training, and education.
Sioned Thomas is our West Wales Outdoor Activities Development Officer. She is based virtually and she covers Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Swansea and Pembrokeshire.
You can stay up to date with what is happening in the West Wales Region by following The Outdoor Partnership West Wales’ Social Media Accounts:
Facebook: Sioned Thomas | Facebook
Instagram: Sioned Thomas (@outdoorpartnershipswanseabay) • Instagram photos and videos
Dros y misoedd diwethaf, mae`r grŵp anhygoel hwn wedi bod yn adeiladu eu sgiliau canŵio a bushcraft gyda @LlandysulPaddlers a @adventurebushcraftwales. 🌿🛶
O ddysgu`r pethau sylfaenol yn y pwll nofio, i fagu hyder ar y llyn, maen nhw wedi mynd ymlaen i roi eu sgiliau ar brawf ar yr afon a hyd yn oed wedi cwblhau taith anhygoel 6 milltir ar y gamlas, gan gynnwys padlo trwy dwnnel! 💪
Mae wedi bod yn wych gweld eu hyder, eu gwaith tîm a`u sgiliau yn tyfu a datblygu. Maen nhw eisoes yn edrych ymlaen at fynd â`u hanturiaethau hyd yn oed ymhellach... Ac mae hyd yn oed sôn am daith gwersylla dros nos!
Over the last few months, this amazing group has been building their canoeing and bushcraft skills with @LlandysulPaddlers and @adventurebushcraftwales. 🌿🛶
From learning the basics in the swimming pool, to gaining confidence on the lake, they`ve gone on to put their skills to the test on the river and even completed an incredible 6-mile canal journey, including paddling through a tunnel! 💪
It`s been fantastic to see their confidence, teamwork, and skills grow develop. They`re already looking forward to taking their adventures even further... and there`s even talk of an overnight camping trip! ⛺✨
Dros y misoedd diwethaf, mae`r grŵp anhygoel hwn wedi bod yn adeiladu eu sgiliau canŵio a bushcraft gyda @LlandysulPaddlers a @adventurebushcraftwales. 🌿🛶
O ddysgu`r pethau sylfaenol yn y pwll nofio, i fagu hyder ar y llyn, maen nhw wedi mynd ymlaen i roi eu sgiliau ar brawf ar yr afon a hyd yn oed wedi cwblhau taith anhygoel 6 milltir ar y gamlas, gan gynnwys padlo trwy dwnnel! 💪
Mae wedi bod yn wych gweld eu hyder, eu gwaith tîm a`u sgiliau yn tyfu a datblygu. Maen nhw eisoes yn edrych ymlaen at fynd â`u hanturiaethau hyd yn oed ymhellach... Ac mae hyd yn oed sôn am daith gwersylla dros nos!
Over the last few months, this amazing group has been building their canoeing and bushcraft skills with @LlandysulPaddlers and @adventurebushcraftwales. 🌿🛶
From learning the basics in the swimming pool, to gaining confidence on the lake, they`ve gone on to put their skills to the test on the river and even completed an incredible 6-mile canal journey, including paddling through a tunnel! 💪
It`s been fantastic to see their confidence, teamwork, and skills grow develop. They`re already looking forward to taking their adventures even further... and there`s even talk of an overnight camping trip! ⛺✨
25th of July was World Drowning Prevention day and @paa and @llandysulpaddlers hosted an event yesterday where we saw 20 young people coming together to learn all about water safety, we discussed hazards, kit, floating, how to call for help and we even had some fun swimming in the lake, jumping in and playing on the paddle boards and kayaks! 🛶🌊🏊♂️🛟
25ain o Orffennaf oedd Diwrnod Atal Boddi`r Byd a chynhaliwyd digwyddiad gyda @paa a @llandysulpaddlers ddoe lle gwelsom 20 o bobl ifanc yn dod at ei gilydd i ddysgu popeth am ddiogelwch dŵr, trafodwyd peryglon, cit, arnofio, sut i alw am help a chawsom hwyl yn nofio yn y llyn, neidio i mewn a chwarae ar y byrddau padlo a`r caiaco! 🛶🌊🏊♂️🛟
@rnli
#FloatToLive
#FindYourFloat
#watersafety
#WorldDrowningPreventionDay
25th of July was World Drowning Prevention day and @paa and @llandysulpaddlers hosted an event yesterday where we saw 20 young people coming together to learn all about water safety, we discussed hazards, kit, floating, how to call for help and we even had some fun swimming in the lake, jumping in and playing on the paddle boards and kayaks! 🛶🌊🏊♂️🛟
25ain o Orffennaf oedd Diwrnod Atal Boddi`r Byd a chynhaliwyd digwyddiad gyda @paa a @llandysulpaddlers ddoe lle gwelsom 20 o bobl ifanc yn dod at ei gilydd i ddysgu popeth am ddiogelwch dŵr, trafodwyd peryglon, cit, arnofio, sut i alw am help a chawsom hwyl yn nofio yn y llyn, neidio i mewn a chwarae ar y byrddau padlo a`r caiaco! 🛶🌊🏊♂️🛟
@rnli
#FloatToLive
#FindYourFloat
#watersafety
#WorldDrowningPreventionDay
🌊🛟🛶World Drowning Prevention Day - Fun Day 🌊🛟🛶
Together with Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Centre and Club and RNLI we are hosting a FUN SESSION at Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Centre and Club on the 28th of July from 11-2. The day will include -
- Fun session on the lake with kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming with the one and only Joey!
- Water Safety talk from RNLI Water Safety
- Certificate 🎖
#worlddrowningpreventionday
🌊🛟🛶World Drowning Prevention Day - Fun Day 🌊🛟🛶
Together with Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Centre and Club and RNLI we are hosting a FUN SESSION at Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Centre and Club on the 28th of July from 11-2. The day will include -
- Fun session on the lake with kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming with the one and only Joey!
- Water Safety talk from RNLI Water Safety
- Certificate 🎖
#worlddrowningpreventionday
Cawsom ein trydydd sesiwn yr wythnos ddiwethaf ble fentrodd y grŵp ymlaen ar yr afon.
Cafodd y grŵp fwynhad o brofi eu sgiliau newydd mewn lleoliad hyfryd.
Fe wnaethon nhw orffen y sesiwn yn gwneud flat breads dros y tân. Mae`r grŵp yn edrych ymlaen at eu taith nesaf ar y gamlas!
We had our third session last week which saw the group progress onto the River!
The group thoroughly enjoyed testing out their skills in a beautiful setting!
They finished the session making flat breads over the fire! The group are looking forward to their next trip on the canal!
🌿🔥
@paa.top
@llandysul_paddlers
@adventure_bushcraft_wales
Cawsom ein trydydd sesiwn yr wythnos ddiwethaf ble fentrodd y grŵp ymlaen ar yr afon.
Cafodd y grŵp fwynhad o brofi eu sgiliau newydd mewn lleoliad hyfryd.
Fe wnaethon nhw orffen y sesiwn yn gwneud flat breads dros y tân. Mae`r grŵp yn edrych ymlaen at eu taith nesaf ar y gamlas!
We had our third session last week which saw the group progress onto the River!
The group thoroughly enjoyed testing out their skills in a beautiful setting!
They finished the session making flat breads over the fire! The group are looking forward to their next trip on the canal!
🌿🔥
@paa.top
@llandysul_paddlers
@adventure_bushcraft_wales
Bushcraft & Canoeing 🌲🛶
We had our second session last week which saw the group progress from the pool to the lake! 🌊
The group thoroughly enjoyed testing out their skills on the lake, as well as learning all about the boats and how to carry them safely 💪.
They finished with some homemade soup and bread around the fire 🔥
Gwylltgrefft a Chanŵio 🌲🛶
Cawsom ein hail sesiwn yr wythnos diwethaf ble gwelsom y grŵp yn symud ymlaen o`r pwll i`r llyn! 🌊
Bu i’r grŵp fwynhau profi eu sgiliau newydd ar y llyn yn ogystal â dysgu am y cychod a sut i’w cario’n ddiogel. 💪
Fe wnaethon nhw orffen gyda chawl cartref a bara o amgylch y tân! 🔥
Bushcraft & Canoeing 🌲🛶
We had our second session last week which saw the group progress from the pool to the lake! 🌊
The group thoroughly enjoyed testing out their skills on the lake, as well as learning all about the boats and how to carry them safely 💪.
They finished with some homemade soup and bread around the fire 🔥
Gwylltgrefft a Chanŵio 🌲🛶
Cawsom ein hail sesiwn yr wythnos diwethaf ble gwelsom y grŵp yn symud ymlaen o`r pwll i`r llyn! 🌊
Bu i’r grŵp fwynhau profi eu sgiliau newydd ar y llyn yn ogystal â dysgu am y cychod a sut i’w cario’n ddiogel. 💪
Fe wnaethon nhw orffen gyda chawl cartref a bara o amgylch y tân! 🔥
BANT A NI 🌞
Last Friday, the Bant a Ni group made the most of the sunshine with a beautiful hike through Craig y Nos Park, with a coffee to finish and plenty of great conversation in Welsh☀️🌿
We then took part in a fascinating workshop on the Historic Place Names of Wales, which the whole group thoroughly enjoyed and found incredibly insightful.
If you’d like to learn more, visit: Home – Historic Place Names of Wales
Dydd Gwener diwethaf, gwnaeth grŵp Bant a Ni y gorau o`r heulwen gyda thaith gerdded hyfryd drwy Barc Craig y Nos, gyda choffi i orffen a digon o sgwrs wych yn Gymraeg☀️🌿
Yna cymerom ran mewn gweithdy diddorol ar Enwau Lleoedd Hanesyddol Cymru, a fwynhaodd y grŵp cyfan yn fawr ac yn ei chael yn hynod ddeallus.
Os hoffech ddysgu mwy, ewch i: Hafan – Historic Place Names of Wales
BANT A NI 🌞
Last Friday, the Bant a Ni group made the most of the sunshine with a beautiful hike through Craig y Nos Park, with a coffee to finish and plenty of great conversation in Welsh☀️🌿
We then took part in a fascinating workshop on the Historic Place Names of Wales, which the whole group thoroughly enjoyed and found incredibly insightful.
If you’d like to learn more, visit: Home – Historic Place Names of Wales
Dydd Gwener diwethaf, gwnaeth grŵp Bant a Ni y gorau o`r heulwen gyda thaith gerdded hyfryd drwy Barc Craig y Nos, gyda choffi i orffen a digon o sgwrs wych yn Gymraeg☀️🌿
Yna cymerom ran mewn gweithdy diddorol ar Enwau Lleoedd Hanesyddol Cymru, a fwynhaodd y grŵp cyfan yn fawr ac yn ei chael yn hynod ddeallus.
Os hoffech ddysgu mwy, ewch i: Hafan – Historic Place Names of Wales
Gwylltgrefft a Chanŵio 🛶🔥
Yr wythnos hon, fe gychwynnon ni ar sesiwn gyntaf y rhaglen. Ar ôl dal i fyny dros baned o de o gwmpas y tân, fe aethon ni i`r pwll nofio cynnes yn @calontysul i fynd i mewn i`r canŵod!
Dysgodd y grŵp yr hanfodion o ganŵio – sut i fynd i mewn ac allan yn ddiogel, sut i badlo, a hyd yn oed sut i ddelio efo disgyn i mewn! 💦
Fe wnaethon ni orffen y sesiwn gyda gêm hwyliog o bolo canŵ.
Mae pawb bellach yn edrych ymlaen at y sesiwn nesaf… pan fyddwn ni`n mynd allan i`r llyn! 🌊
Bushcraft & Canoeing 🛶🔥
This week we kicked off our first session of the programme! After catching up over a cup of tea around the fire, we headed to the warm swimming pool at @calontysul to get into some Canoes.
The group learnt the basics of canoeing – how to get in and out safely, how to paddle, and even how to deal with falling in! 💦
We wrapped up the session with a fun game of canoe polo.
Everyone’s now looking forward to the next session… when we head out onto the lake! 🌊
@paa.top
@llandysul_paddlers
@adventure_bushcraft_wales
Gwylltgrefft a Chanŵio 🛶🔥
Yr wythnos hon, fe gychwynnon ni ar sesiwn gyntaf y rhaglen. Ar ôl dal i fyny dros baned o de o gwmpas y tân, fe aethon ni i`r pwll nofio cynnes yn @calontysul i fynd i mewn i`r canŵod!
Dysgodd y grŵp yr hanfodion o ganŵio – sut i fynd i mewn ac allan yn ddiogel, sut i badlo, a hyd yn oed sut i ddelio efo disgyn i mewn! 💦
Fe wnaethon ni orffen y sesiwn gyda gêm hwyliog o bolo canŵ.
Mae pawb bellach yn edrych ymlaen at y sesiwn nesaf… pan fyddwn ni`n mynd allan i`r llyn! 🌊
Bushcraft & Canoeing 🛶🔥
This week we kicked off our first session of the programme! After catching up over a cup of tea around the fire, we headed to the warm swimming pool at @calontysul to get into some Canoes.
The group learnt the basics of canoeing – how to get in and out safely, how to paddle, and even how to deal with falling in! 💦
We wrapped up the session with a fun game of canoe polo.
Everyone’s now looking forward to the next session… when we head out onto the lake! 🌊
@paa.top
@llandysul_paddlers
@adventure_bushcraft_wales
Last week was half term, and we made the most of it with some great sessions for our young carers in West Wales. We enjoyed indoor climbing and snorkelling, as well as an Outdoor First Aid Course, where we were joined by young carers from Blaenau Gwent and Brecon.
We’re looking forward to getting out for more activities over the Easter Holidays! 🌿
Wythnos ddiwethaf oedd hanner tymor, a gwnaethom y gorau ohono gyda sesiynau gwych ar gyfer ein gofalwyr ifanc yng Ngorllewin Cymru. Gwnaethom fwynhau dringo dan do a snorcelu, yn ogystal â Chwrs Cymorth Cyntaf Awyr Agored, lle`r oeddem yn ymuno â gofalwyr ifanc o Blaenau Gwent ac Aberhonddu.
Rydym yn edrych ymlaen at fynd allan i fwy o weithgareddau dros wyliau`r Pasg!
Last week was half term, and we made the most of it with some great sessions for our young carers in West Wales. We enjoyed indoor climbing and snorkelling, as well as an Outdoor First Aid Course, where we were joined by young carers from Blaenau Gwent and Brecon.
We’re looking forward to getting out for more activities over the Easter Holidays! 🌿
Wythnos ddiwethaf oedd hanner tymor, a gwnaethom y gorau ohono gyda sesiynau gwych ar gyfer ein gofalwyr ifanc yng Ngorllewin Cymru. Gwnaethom fwynhau dringo dan do a snorcelu, yn ogystal â Chwrs Cymorth Cyntaf Awyr Agored, lle`r oeddem yn ymuno â gofalwyr ifanc o Blaenau Gwent ac Aberhonddu.
Rydym yn edrych ymlaen at fynd allan i fwy o weithgareddau dros wyliau`r Pasg!
Since 2021, The Outdoor Partnership has been bringing people and organisations together across West Wales to create more opportunities and lasting impact. Here’s a quick look at what we’ve achieved lately…
- Since 2025, we have been supporting adults of all ages to access the outdoors in rural areas of West Wales.
- We designed a programme of taster sessions including photography, bushcraft, yoga, and foraging.
- More recently, the participants have been focusing on a block of one activity at a time, learning more skills like fire making, carving spoons, and outdoor cooking.
- Soon, the group will be starting on a programme of canoeing and bushcraft using the skills they learnt on their bushcraft sessions on their canoeing journeys.
- The project is helping local organisations and communities see outdoor activity as an important part of wellbeing, learning and social connection, creating opportunities that continue beyond the programme itself.
- Since 2023, we have been providing young carers in the Swansea Bay region with outdoor activity opportunities.
- Examples include windsurfing, indoor climbing, rafting, team building, and bushcraft.
- More recently, these opportunities have developed into residential opportunities and exploring further afield.
- The programme has helped change how organisations support young carers, with outdoor activity increasingly recognised as a valuable tool for wellbeing, resilience and personal development, resulting in stronger partnerships and more opportunities being embedded within services.
Click here to view a case study that showcases our 2026 Young Carers Residential at Llandysul Paddlers, highlighting the impact, activities, partnerships and incredible experiences shared by 68 young carers from across Wales: Llandysul Residential Case Study 2026
We have delivered more than 20 sessions across the Swansea Bay region, supporting over 800 women and girls to access the outdoors. Participants have tried a wide range of activities, including windsurfing, wild swimming, paddleboarding, map reading and navigation. For the past two years, we have celebrated International Women’s Day through outdoor activities and inspirational guest speakers, showcasing female role models and their journeys in the outdoors.
Llandysul Paddlers has established a women-only section of its kayaking club, including dedicated sessions, courses and a supportive peer network. By working with clubs, providers and partners, the project is helping tackle barriers faced by women and girls in the outdoor sector, increasing confidence, representation and leadership opportunities while encouraging organisations to create more inclusive and welcoming environments.
We recently completed an adventure employability project with Llamau in Swansea, where young people took part in bushcraft activities and a guided walk.
The project supported participants to build confidence and develop new skills through outdoor experiences. As part of the programme, the young people also had the opportunity to work towards accredited qualifications, including outdoor first aid.
A huge thank you to the South Wales Police Youth Trust for their support.
- Over 10 clubs have joined our Coach Education Programme which has supported over 20 amazing volunteers within the region within Outdoor Activity Clubs including Surf Lifesaving, Paddling, and Sailing.
Here are some examples of the community development work we have been doing around the Swansea Bay region since starting in 2021:-
- Provided opportunities for young people to try a wide range of Outdoor Activities in their local areas including Wild Swimming, Rock Pooling, Bush Craft and Map Reading and Navigation skills.
- Also attended events such as Yr Egin Adventure Festivals, Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, Banff Film Festival to highlight the work we are doing across the communities within Wales.
- Supporting local sports clubs though with joining in on their litter picks, river festivals and engagement weekends.
Through a growing network of community organisations, providers and partners, the project is helping change how outdoor activities are viewed and used across the region. More organisations are now incorporating outdoor experiences into their community, wellbeing and engagement programmes, creating sustainable opportunities and stronger local connections.
New for 2022, the Bant â ni! (Let’s Go!) project is a partnership between Mid Wales and Swansea Bay Region to develop a network of Welsh-speaking outdoor instructors in the region.
The project aims to support instructors who are learning Welsh to gain confidence leading outdoor activities through the medium of Welsh via practical sessions in real-life outdoor contexts as well as supporting Welsh speakers with a love of the outdoors to join the outdoor industry.
Our first session, paddleboarding and pizza in Llandysul, was a great success. Get in touch if you’d like to get involved.
Our Inclusive Adventure programme has provided people with mobility limitations and neurodiverse conditions and their families to access a variety of outdoor adventure activities.
- So far, we have organised Paddle Ability, Sit Skiing and Adaptive Bikes, inclusive climbing & inclusive walks.
- Inclusive water sports festival where we collaborated with the RNLI, Pembrokeshire national park, Ross Handling & Cerebra UK.
5-week programme introducing the Young People from Adferiad (EIP team) to the Land and Water
We explored the Sea, Coastal Paths, Waterfalls, and woodland.
ITV Wales’ Coast and Country programme even came along to have a look what we did!
Watch the video below…
If you’d like to know more or are an outdoor activity club that would like to get involved, please contact Sioned on 07706735791 or sioned.thomas@outdoorpartnership.co.uk.
