Happy New Year!
On behalf of the 571 people that you enabled us to feed throughout December – Thank you! Your support and generosity, not just in supplying food and toiletries but also new toys for families meant that Christmas was better than expected for many local families. Whilst we continue to fight against poverty & financial crisis in the local community, we know that you continue to have our back throughout 2024 and again we say thank you.
This year we’re expecting to see more people than ever before and we hope that the work of our Help Centre will mean that help is had before the point of crisis. As our Help Centre gets busier, especially during the Foodbank session, we’re facing an ever-growing problem of space. Not just in a safe storage space for donations or preparing parcels, but in a confidential space to meet with service users and help them.
After looking into a wide range of possible solutions and alternatives throughout the 2nd half of 2023, we’ve concluded that the only realistic solution is a new building for the charity. Working with a local architect in Llandeilo we’ve submitted an application to the Planning Committee and are hoping for it to be passed soon. Economic to run with minimal upkeep, the building will have space for all our needs, including a large reception and confidential meeting rooms as well as a proper kitchen for our cookery workshops and safe, level access to the warehouse. The plan will be for it to open more than Mondays & Fridays, as a space for other local agencies to meet with their service users – a true hub for community support in the Amman Valley.
We’ve already spent time with local businesses asking them to consider financially supporting the project and are underway with grant applications to various bodies, such as the Welsh Government, seeking their support also. So far we have secured over 10% of the total cost but have further to go. Throughout the year we’ll be sharing different ways that you can be involved in supporting the build – both by sharing it with friends and donating to the project.
Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to breaking ground on a facility that will serve as a cornerstone for positive change in our community. To donate, please visit our dedicated fundraising page at www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/20367913 or mark any donations ‘Building Fund’ when posted.
If you have any questions about this project and would like to know more or have local businesses that might be interested then please contact us