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Fathom is a word taken from old English meaning ‘to reach out and embrace’. It was used to describe the act of measuring the girth of a tree.

For us, it signals the importance of a physical connection to the natural world, a sense of depth and discovery, and the centrality of an embodied-relational approach to human flourishing.

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Our Approach

We believe that the process of working with natural material helps people to see life in a new light – to develop an awareness of, respect for, and love of themselves, others, and the natural world.

We structure our courses around these three foundational elements: 

Conservation
Crafts
Contemplation

30 local artisans supported across 15 traditional crafts.

250 medical staff supported.

120 people supported through Making Well.

4 jobs created in local community.

£350k into local economy.

Working with 6 Landowners, 4 GP surgeries, 3 Health Boards and 3 Universities.

What we do

We create health and promote healing by working with a community of makers and landowners, creating opportunities for people to participate in the conservation of traditional crafts, landscapes, and cultures.

Wood

Spoon carving, furniture making, and basketry

Food

Bread making, foraging, and fruit picking

Flora

Horticulture, hedge-laying, and forestry

Fauna

Animal-assisted therapy and bee keeping

Textiles

Felting, weaving, embroidery, and leatherwork

Earth

Pottery, dry stone walling, and outdoor adventure

About us

The Fathom Trust helps people to re-evaluate their habits of self-perception and recover a sense of meaning and purpose.

We are developing an innovative model of integrated holistic and cost-effective social infrastructure by creating ‘communities of care’ based on craftsmanship, conservation and contemplation.

Who we are

Each class that I attended brought feelings of well-being, friendship and a sense of belonging to something.

Heather Dickens Professional basket maker
Heathers’ story

Stories

Making Well (Spring) Story #8

This is Jim's story following his participation in our 8-week Making Well course this Spring.

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Narratives of Personal Renewal

A partnership with Aberystwyth University’s Centre for Creativity and Wellbeing and the NHS Hywel Dda University Health Board

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Looking ahead to 2024 with the Arts Council in Wales

We are delighted to be partnering with the Arts Council in Wales to extend our Making Well programme across the region by creating course in Ystradgynlais, Builth Wells, Bwlch and Hay/Talgarth.

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Sadly we often experience a disconnect between physical and mental health. As a GP in rural practice I am so excited to see The Fathom Trust grow to help patients in their time of need and bring holistic care back to its core.”

Dr Robert Powell GP Partner, Llandovery

“I am convinced that we cannot survive unless we reincorporate in our lives knowledge and wisdom we appear to have lost, and for the loss of which we are paying the price. The Fathom Trust is the practical expression of a philosophy I deeply believe in; I fervently hope it will thrive and grow. On such ventures depend both our individual and communal survival.”

Dr Iain McGilchrist Psychiatrist, Philosopher, Author

Our Partners

We are working with a network of landowners across Wales, including the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Penpont House, Buckland and the Strata Florida Trust, to develop partnerships with the NHS, schools and local authorities.