Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

In 1994, seven people came together at a meeting in Rhymney Day Centre, on Surgery Hill.

The attendees were people who had been diagnosed with cancer, and caregivers.

It would prove to be the first meeting of many – as this evolved into Helping Hands Cancer Self-Help group, which supports seriously ill people in Rhymney, Pontlottyn, Abertysswg, Deri, and Fochriw. 

After gaining charitable status in 1996, and receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in 2006, it will celebrate its 30th anniversary this September.

Caerphilly Observer visited the charity to discuss their journey over the last three decades. 

“It’s a community”

Many locals will know Helping Hands’ distinctive green shops on Rhymney High Street.

One store sells general items such as DVDs, books and bric-a-brac, while the other sells clothes.

The stores make sure to attract and entertain customers with seasonal items and displays at Christmas, Easter and other times of the year.

They also sell items online via eBay, and have weekly lotteries – all of it helps fund its work.

Retail manager Paul Thomas said: “It’s a community. What you see is what it is.”

The shops are the only charity shops in the north of the borough for miles, according to Paul, who said: “We’re a big concern in the area.”

But they can also count on people in return.

Paul added that the charity is “very well supported by the local community”, with choirs and local groups often raising funds.

Administration manager Derwyn Evans told us there were signs of how much the charity had helped people over time.

He said: “Sometimes you get an indication by the amount of cards that individuals send us,” adding that many of these are displayed in the shops.

‘Saving’ the NHS £2.5 million a year

Helping Hands provides several free services for seriously ill people in the local area.

These include help with forms and assessments, as well as providing free medical aids such as wheelchairs, commodes, over-bed tables, and raised toilet seats.

They also offer a free door-to-door transportation service for cancer patients. 

The charity has two accessible vehicles to drive patients to chemotherapy or radiotherapy appointments. 

Derwyn said: “We don’t challenge them on what they’re having [done]. They will tell us if they want to.”

He added: “If it’s someone who is coming for the first time…we can have a chat in the car.”

The service takes patients to hospitals including Nevill Hall, Velindre, and the Royal Gwent – once they went as far afield as Sheffield. 

Before the pandemic, the charity transported 250 to 300 patients per year.

However, the number has reduced significantly since the pandemic – they transported just three people in 2022 and six in 2023. 

Derwyn and Paul are keen for people to know that “the service is still here” – all people have to do is walk in and book.

The charity accepts donations for both transportation and medical aids – making it “self-sustaining”. 

Paul added: “It’s about saving money for the NHS too.”

There is evidence to show that the charity has significantly eased pressure on the NHS throughout its time. 

Derwyn told us that in 2008 the charity underwent a social audit which showed that when “the car was in full swing” it was saving the NHS £2.5 million a year. 

“Main asset” – The importance of volunteers

While Paul and Derwyn are paid employees much of the work depends on volunteers. 

By Derwyn’s estimations, there have been around 100 volunteers who have given up their time to man the shops or help at functions over the last 30 years.

All are loyal and some original volunteers are still helping out, according to Derwyn.

He added that the volunteers were and remain the charity’s “main asset”.

Paul added: “Without the volunteers, we haven’t got a charity, have we?”

There are several reasons why people get involved, as Derwyn said: “Some of them have benefitted from it because they’ve had individual family members who’ve passed away with cancer and had cancer problems. 

“Some just lost their partners and come here to meet up with somebody else and get them out of the house for a few hours.”

“A lot to be proud of”

While the cost of living has bitten for many charities, Helping Hands keeps going.

The charity recently bought the former Beulah Chapel in Rhymney which closed in March 2023 as a space to keep their medical aids.

Labour councillor Carl Cuss, who represents the Twyn Carno ward, passed on his congratulations to the charity in what he called an “astonishing” 30 years of service to the community. 

Cllr Cuss said: “They have a lot to be proud of, especially the help and support they have given to vulnerable residents in very difficult circumstances. 

“Also, by having a prominent presence on our High Street in Rhymney with a welcome smile from the volunteers at both shops. Thank you for everything you have done to help those in need of support and here is to many more years of impeccable service to our communities.”

Helping Hands can be found at 74 and 75 Rhymney High Street, and can be contacted on 01685 844888.