A MUM of three who was helped back on her feet by Barnardos will share her success with the charity.

In a coup for the recently revamped Meliden Shed - which officially opened earlier this month following a £1.2million refurbishment - new ventures Bella Bay Wellbeing and the Craft Hub will celebrate their ribbon cutting with an open day this Saturday.

For acupuncturist Ffion Medi Davies, 39, the opening marks the perfect opportunity to celebrate the work of the charity, which assisted her transition from moving “from hostel to hostel” with her family to opening her new business in the village.

Ms Davies, originally of Lixwm in Flintshire and now living in Meliden, said: “Barnardos is a charity very close to my heart and feel it’s important that people are aware of the work that they do.

“When my marriage broke down, my personal interest of studying tai chi took me and my three boys aged 21, 10 and eight out to Portugal where we lived for eight months.

“We came back hastily two years ago in the hope of reconciliation with my husband. Unfortunately, that was not possible and I found myself at a very low point in my life. The boys and I moved from hostel to hostel as we looked for somewhere to settle again. My youngest son also had some health concerns and was in and out of hospital.

“It was during this time that I came into contact with Barnardos. They offered me support in the form of a lovely lady called Lorraine who was there to support me and be someone that I could talk to so that I was then strong enough to support the children until we were back on my feet.”

After settling in the village, with the help of the charity Ms Davies was able to free up time to invest in the new business which allowed her to put her BSc(Hons) Acupuncture Degree to good use.

Ms Davies added: “The help and support from Barnardos enabled me to take time out and deal with one thing at a time.

“Had I not had this support then I would most likely have burnt out mentally and physically, and therefore would not have been able to open Bella Bay Wellbeing for a long time - if ever.”

Joining Ms Davies at the converted Grade II listed railway building - which also houses a cafe and heritage centre - is Craft Hub owner Sandra Payne, 64 and originally of Dalkeith near Edinburgh, who specialises in selling crafts and jewellery made by herself and women from the area.

The open day at the Meliden Shed on Pen Y Maes takes place from 11.30am on Saturday, October 26.