First Minister thanks food bank volunteers in Trethomas visit

First Minister Mark Drakeford has paid a visit to a food parcel project which was set up at the start of the coronavirus lockdown.

The First Minister made the visit to the CARE project on Friday morning (August 14).

Bedwas, Machen, Michaelston-y-Fedw and Rudry Churches (BMMR) set up the ‘Food Hub’ in St Thomas’ Church in Trethomas on March 23 – the day Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the lockdown in the UK.

Since then, the hub has helped nearly 5,000 people.

Currently, there are 108 volunteers helping out at the hub. At it’s peak earlier in lockdown, there were around 150 volunteers taking on roles such as handling support lines, organising deliveries, collecting food donations and delivery drivers.

Reverend Dean Roberts said: “The First Minister came to look at what we’ve been doing since March thanked our volunteers.

“It was nice to have a senior minister say thank you and recognise the volunteers. It’s been good for morale.”

Rev Roberts added: “Demand is lower now than at the start of lockdown, but we don’t know what will happen with the end of furlough and the cold season approaching.”

Speaking after the visit, Mr Drakeford said it was “wonderful” to see the “remarkable work” that the volunteers have carried out.

He said: “What has been achieved in just a few months really does give you encouragement for the way in which Wales has been able to mobilise that volunteer effort.

“The Welsh Government has put some money to help projects such as the one I’ve been to today [Friday, August 14].

“We’re launching a new fund – a future fund for volunteering, that will begin on Monday [August 17] and that will help this project, and so many like it, to go on doing the remarkable work that I’ve seen this morning

Also visiting the hub were Caerphilly’s Senedd Member, Hefin David, and Member of Parliament, Wayne David.

Senedd Member Dr David said: “The CARE Project has brought together local volunteers of all ages to help hundreds of people who may need an extra bit of assistance with things like food, prescriptions, or just a listening ear.

“The pandemic has been an extremely difficult and uncertain time for all of us, but it has also brought out the true generosity of the local community and the CARE Project is a shining example of that.”

Mr David MP said: “I was delighted the First Minister came to the project.

“The CARE project has helped thousands of people in the area in their time of need.

“He was extremely impressed by the hard work and commitment of so many volunteers.

“I very much hope that the project will go from strength to strength.”

Anyone who wishes to volunteer at the food hub can visit bmmr.church/care/ for more information.