Community centre’s support for food bank “making a massive difference”

When the UK went into its first Covid lockdown in March 2020, a group of volunteers in Trethomas responded by setting up a food bank to help deliver food parcels to those in need.

Known as the Food Hub, the food bank went on to support thousands of residents during the pandemic and is continuing to do so during the cost-of-living crisis.

It was set up as part of the Care Project – a volunteering programme run by the Parish Trust.

Now, the food bank is receiving support from Llanbradach Community Centre, which is collecting food donations for the Parish Trust so it can continue to support those in need.

The community centre’s chair, Joanne McCarthy, explained how the centre had been given a £500 grant from Bute Energy to help alleviate food poverty.

Having volunteered with the Parish Trust at the beginning of the pandemic, Joanne knew straight away where she wanted the money to go.

“They’re absolutely brilliant,” Joanne said of the Parish Trust, which has received £250 of the grant. “They do so many different things for different parts of the community.

“They’ve gone from strength to strength and have so much going on. They’re doing loads for the community.”

Once a month on a Sunday, Joanne and a small team of volunteers go round a handful of streets in Llanbradach to collect food donations – something Joanne set up in early 2020 after feeling a need to do something helpful during Covid.

“People are really supportive and happy to help. Llanbradach is a really community-orientated village,” she said.

Reverend Dean Roberts, who is chair of trustees at the Parish Trust, thanked the community centre for its support and said: “This is making a massive difference.

He continued: “The key thing is partnership working, which is very important to us. We’re glad to have a relationship with the community of Llanbradach and with the community centre.

“We don’t have the money to buy food – our money goes on the van and insurance etc. We’re so glad to get this food for free because it will go a long way to help people.

“We’re hoping for more of these sorts of partnerships in the future.”

Rev Roberts added: “Llanbradach is one of the most generous communities to support us.”