ONE mum’s inspired idea to create a community and support network for families of children with disabilities has taken off so impressively, it’s led to a job.

Mandy Hughes, 40, has created the Bubble Hub, a community-focused group helping families in Builth Wells and neighbouring Llanwrtyd Wells create a place of fun for children and support for their families.

Mandy’s vision has spawned a group of dedicated band of volunteers and they’ve created a place where people can drop in, relax, access support and enjoy a range of indoor activities such as crafts and games, as well as get support to organise accessible outdoor fun.

Mandy’s four-year-old daughter Polly lives with cerebral palsy, and she says she came up with the idea while juggling her duties as a mother of three, staying at home in Llanwrtyd to look after Polly as well as raising two other children, Polly’s brothers Jonathan and Archie.

“I want Polly to be part of the community and accepted for who she is, everyone has something to give,” said Mandy.

“She can interact with the amazing people in the town and they can be part of her journey. For many years I felt really lonely and on my own at home with Polly. I’d like more interaction between able-bodied and people with disabilities so that it seems normal.

“I feel really proud of the team that has come together to help make this happen. Some people don’t realise how good they are at so many different things and it’s amazing what people give.”

A virtual launch with a range of videos on the Bubble Hub’s Facebook page has triggered incredible support from local people and businesses.

Local charity Credu, which supports young and adult carers, has been so inspired by Mandy’s vision they nominated her for a prestigious community leadership programme called ‘Time to Shine’, funded by The Rank Foundation and the National Lottery.

Mandy won a place and is now employed by Credu to develop her ideas to support families impacted by illness and disability. Marie Davies, from Credu, said: “It’s amazing to see what can happen by listening to people’s ideas on what they would like to get involved in and supporting them to have the confidence to make it happen.”

The Covid-19 pandemic seemingly interrupted Mandy’s plans to bring people together and make exciting things happen but, undeterred, she went online to start a successful crafting peer support group and has linked up with other inspiring leaders across Wales.

From listening to other carers and getting ideas from around Wales, the Bubble Hub idea was ultimately born.

Inspiration must run in the family as Josh Hughes, Polly’s uncle and also a member of the Bubble Hub group, has just won a place on a different Rank Foundation-funded leadership programme, the Rank Aspire Programme. Hosted by Credu, he will be working on developing exciting outdoor opportunities open to the community and inclusive of people with disabilities.

Josh said: “I want to take the opportunity to develop an inclusive outdoor activities opportunities that has something for everyone.

“I want something that is accessible to Polly so she will have a better quality of life. If I can do this for her there’s no reason I can’t do it for everyone in the wider community.”

Mandy and the group are thinking of ways to explore the potential of activities based at her former shop in Builth (The Biking Barbers) as well as other local venues. She would love to hear from anyone who is interested.

If you would like to know more about the Bubble Hub email Mandy on mandy@credu.cymru or follow the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bubblehubbuilth.