3 days ago
A new mental health café and event space is opening in Pontypool
'Grounded Coffee & Wellness' created by mental health charity Tidy Butt is Sebastopol's newest mental health space.
Tidy Butt is a mental health charity run by Rhys Thomas 42, Matthew Creel 42 and Keziah Green 38.
The charity was formed during lockdown back in 2020 by Matthew and started life as an online group where people could talk through their problems.
Matthew and Rhys have an interesting relationship.
Rhys himself is an ex-international rugby player whose played for Newport RFC, Dragons, Scarlets and Wales.
Matthew, also heavily involved in rugby, was Rhys's captain.
The charity was born out of difficult personal circumstances.
At only 19 a serious heart condition cut Abertillery born Matthew's rugby career short and because of this he fell into a depressive state.
South African born Rhys has similarly has also struggled with mental health in the past.
He's battled addiction and also suffered a career changing heart attack in November 2007, caused by a knock during a match between the Dragons and Northampton.
The Tidy Butt Team (left to right) Matthew Creel 42, Keziah Green 38 and Rhys Thomas 42 (Image: Keziah Green) Speaking of the café the Tidy Butt team posted online: 'We're thrilled to announce the opening of Grounded – our very first coffee shop and wellness centre in the heart of Sebastopol, Pontypool.
'This has been a true labour of love from our tiny but mighty team of three here at Tidy Butt, and we're proud to have brought this dream to life with the help of kind donations and incredible support from local businesses, people in our community and of course our Tidy Butt Ambassadors.
'Community and connection have always been at the heart of what we do, and now we finally have a physical space to bring people together – to talk, to connect, to just be.' The Tidy Butt Team (left to right) Matthew Creel 42, Keziah Green 38 and Rhys Thomas 42 (Image: Keziah Green)
Co-founders of Tidy Butt Matthew Creel 42 and Rhys Thomas 42 (Image: Keziah Green) Tidy Butt's popularity has grown, so much that the group has also been able to provide free counselling sessions for members of the public at their HQ in Sebastopol.
Speaking of the new venture Keziah Green Rhys's partner said: 'It'll be a coffee shop by day and an event space by night.
'Rhys and Matt's vision has always been to create a sort of wellness centre of sorts and it's just amazing we are so grateful for that.'
Rhys Thomas 42 of Tidy Butt carrying out a cold-water therapy session (Image: Keziah Green) A grand opening party for Grounded Coffee & Wellness will be held at Bevans Yard Unit 1 NP4 5QB.
The event will be running from 10am-4pm. There will be a variety of wellness themed activities available including a free sauna and free cold plunges.
A live DJ will be playing at the event all day and tonnes of coffee for people to enjoy will also be served.
Locals are invited to 'save the date' and join the Tidy Butt team for a grand opening taking place Sunday June 15.
