Help in your local area
Contents
Across Melin’s communities there are charities, organisations and groups offering help and support to people in hardship. Here, we have collected the details of organisations operating in our local authority areas and the support they provide.
If you represent a local group or charity and your details are not listed, please let us know. Email news@melinhomes.co.uk and we will update the page.
Torfaen
Foodbanks
- The main Trussel Trust food bank serving the borough is Eastern Valley Foodbank based in Pontnewydd.
- In addition to this, there are lots of other community groups in the borough operating foodbanks and community pantry/fridges. These include The Well and CoStar in Cwmbran, the Garnsychan Partnership in Garndiffaith, TRAC2 and Helping Hands R Us in Pontypool and Fare Share in Blaenavon.
Community transport
- Torfaen Community Transport: 01633 874686
- Age Connects Torfaen: 01495 769264
Children and young people
- There are a number of Community Play Clubs which operate across the borough during term time.
- Youth clubs in the borough include Hwb in Blaenavon and Cwmbran Centre for Young People.
Older people
- Age Connects Torfaen run a big range of services for older people, including befriending, dementia support, cooking/crafting classes and more.
Other help
- Zero Waste Torfaen has a large selection of environmentally friendly period products available for residents who need them.
Monmouthshire
Foodbanks
- Several of Monmouthshire’s larger towns have foodbanks which serve them and their surrounding areas. These include Abergavenny, Monmouth and Chepstow.
- In addition to foodbanks, there are a number of community fridges/pantries in the county. These can be found in Portskewett, Monmouth, Abergavenny and Chepstow.
Community transport
- Bridges Community Car Scheme: 01600 228787
- Grass Routes Community Transport: 0800 085 8015
Children and young people
- Residents can get a free sample of washable nappies by contacting the council via email: wasteandstreetservices@monmouthshire.gov.uk or telephoning 01633 644644.
- There are three main youth clubs in the county, based in Abergavenny, Monmouth and Chepstow, each open to young people in those towns and surrounding villages. MonLife has their full details.
- MonLife Youth Service also has lots of information about events and activities for young people on its Facebook page.
Older people
- The Monmouthshire local link service provides support for socially isolated older people in the county, hosting regular social events/lunch clubs at various locations.
Newport
Foodbanks
- The main Newport Trussel Trust foodbank serves the city and also has a branch for Risca and the western suburbs of Newport.
- Raven House Trust and Feed Newport also operate foodbanks in Newport.
- Open to all Newport residents, Maindee Food Pantry operates from Maindee Library and runs from donations given to it directly from supermarkets and Feed Newport.
Community transport
- Grass Routes Community Transport: 0800 085 8015
Children and young people
- Wales' first ever Nappy Library has opened at the Wastesavers Reuse Centre in Maindee. The Nappy Library allows parents to try reusable cloth nappies for free for a month, with full-time staff members available to help support parents.
- Newport Council have developed a series of information booklets for young people to help with life skills such as money, shopping and education.
- Newport Council has a directory of all the youth clubs open in the city.
Older people
- Newport Council has a directory of services and information for older people, including information about the city’s 50+ Forum.
Other help
- Newport’s Wastesavers Reuse Centre sells old furniture and refurbished laptops and tablets at a discounted rate.
- In addition to its foodbank, Raven House Trust collects and donates old furniture to those in need.
Blaenau Gwent
Foodbanks
- The Blaenau Gwent area is served by the Blaenau Gwent Foodbank which is based in Beaufort, but delivers throughout the county.
- There is also the ‘FoodShare’ programme at Sirhowy Community Centre near Tredegar, Brynmawr Rotary Club run a foodbank, Hope Store in Ebbw Vale runs a food share programme and the Ebbw Vale Institute has a community food shop where you can get a bag of groceries for £4.
Community transport
- Blaenau Gwent Car Scheme: 07706 644275
- Tredegar Transport to Health: 07939 812395
Children and young people
- Llanhilleth Miners Institute runs a programme for young people to learn cookery skills and how to make healthy meals.
Blaenau Gwent Council has a directory of all the youth clubs in the county
Powys
Foodbanks
- The southern part of Powys, where Melin has residents, is served by foodbanks in Brecon and Llandrindod Wells.
Community transport
- Crickhowell Voluntary Bureau: 01873 812177
Children and young people
- Residents can get up to £100 towards the costs of purchasing reusable nappies.
- Find your local youth club on Powys Council’s website.