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Rhymney Valley Foodbank has received National Lottery funding which will be put towards new warm spaces for people during the cost-of-living crisis.

The food bank, which has been running for ten years, received £23,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund which will be put towards creating new warm spaces to help people in the Upper Rhymney Valley. 

Over one million pounds was awarded to 49 community groups across Wales, with a focus on charities and community groups assisting with addiction and the cost-of-living crisis. 

The food bank, which trades under the name Rhymney Valley Foodbank and is run by the Islwyn Ministry Area, will use the money to pay for warm space venues as well as refreshments, transport, training, support and guidance over the course of one year.  

The chair of Rhymney Valley Foodbank, Reverend Canon Mark Owen, said: “In recent months the Islwyn Ministry Area Foodbank has seen an escalating rise in individuals and families not being able to buy food due to the disproportionate rise in the cost of household energy. 

“With this National Lottery funding, we can build on our existing service and offer warm spaces to people living in some of the most deprived communities in Wales. 

“The Trustees of the Ministry Area would like to acknowledge their sincere thanks. We look forward to providing meaningful opportunities for people facing challenges navigating their way around the cost-of-living crisis”

‘Meaningful opportunities’ will include providing air fryer and slow cooker lessons so that people can learn how to make meals on a budget and tablets with internet access so people can search for alternative energy providers. 

Steve Jones, foodbank operation manager of Rhymney Valley Foodbank, told Caerphilly Observer more about the plans.

“I would like our warm spaces to be more than somewhere to go for a warm – a bit more meaningful,” he said, “we want to be all-encompassing,” adding that there are plans to make the hubs helpful for people of all ages. 

This means that there will be transport for older and immobile people and activities for all ages, including children and parents, for who there is an increasing need, according to Steve.

“We’re going to make sure that there [are] opportunities for children and their parents,” said Steve, “it’s working families that are really seeing the crunch at the moment.”

Though the total number of warm spaces and many of the venues are yet to be determined, what is certain is that Steve intends the spaces to be unique and people-centred.

“[We will] make the project fluid and change it and adapt it to the needs of the people that attend,” he said.

Grants across Caerphilly over £140,000

Three other organisations in Caerphilly received grants from the National Lottery Community Fund with a total of £142,239 awarded across the county borough. 

Caerphilly People First received over £97,000 which will be used to fund salaries over three years and build upon their work, which supports people with learning disabilities across the county borough. 

Aber Valley YMCA received more than £19,000 to install LED lights to improve their utility costs and Brithdir 55 Club received over £2,800 which will be put towards excursions for members and help reduce isolation. 

Glenys Irene Evans, chairlady of Brithdir 55 Club told Caerphilly Observer how the funding will help. 

“We arrange trips,” said Glenys, “that means we need lottery or local funding.”

“It is a struggle,” she said, adding that the costs of trips have gone up and even doubled in some instances so the grant is very welcome. 

The club has received grants from the council but the award, which is close to £3,000, is ‘the biggest we’ve ever had’, according to Glenys. 

The club has been running for around 30 years and helps people over 50 who are lonely or have lost their husbands, wives or partners socialise and get out of the house.

Glenys has seen how it can help people firsthand, detailing how one lady went from not going out at all to someone who is ‘full of laughter’, thanks to the club.

“It’s worthwhile,” said Glenys. “I can see people coming out of their homes and enjoying what we can do for them.”

Just where the trips will take place this year is yet to be determined as the group will come together at their next meeting and discuss it – some friendly disagreements are expected. 

Brithdir 55 Club meets at Brithdir Constitutional Club on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm.

The Rhymney Valley Foodbank operates throughout the week and can be found at Hafod Deg Community Centre, Rhymney on Tuesdays, on Wednesdays at St Peter’s Church in Aberbargoed and on Thursdays at the White Rose Centre, New Tredegar.

The food bank is open between 11am and 1pm on each of these days.

Rhymney Valley Foodbank intends to open its first warm space in St Peter’s Church in Aberbargoed in the third week of January. Additional venues are to be decided.