The newly opened kitchen at Llanrumney Hub is offering an inclusive space with tailored activities and workshops, ensuring comfort and support for all residents and community members.
With contributions from local young people, who were involved in painting, decorating, and even shadowing trades such as plumbing and carpentry, the project showcases the power of collaboration and youth development. “This is the first time I’ve seen something like this bring so many people together,” said Sarah Jenkins, a long-time resident. Seeing the youth involved was inspiring. They’ve shown us what’s possible when we work together.”
For Jane Davies, a mother of an autistic child, the inclusivity of the space is transformative. “It’s a place where everyone can come together, no matter their background or needs. My son can finally be part of a space designed with people not only like him, but others as well,” she said.
Starting in January, the Hub will offer a series of youth nights. The activities, including line dancing and wellbeing groups, are being shaped by input from local residents to ensure the offerings meet the needs of the community. Residents are encouraged to share ideas through an online form to help shape the hub’s future.
With locals praising its potential to bring people together and provide resources for various groups,“Yeah, it’s going to be a great asset for the community,” one resident remarked. “It will mean that it’s a lot of resources for the community. Lots of different groups can use it since it’s a really big space. And it’s really encouraging for children to have lots to do and a lot more to learn, especially after school.”
However, some see room for the council to go further. “We need to think bigger,” said David Roberts, 61. “Llanrumney has so much potential. Why not pair this with a green initiative? Rainwater harvesting, more solar panels, composting, or even teaching kids about eco-friendly construction could be part of the next step.”
Rhian Williams, a mother of two, hopes for cooking classes, workshops for kids, and food-sharing initiatives for families in need. “The fact that they’re asking for our input shows they’re really listening,” she said.
In addition to the kitchen, the hub offers free STI(Sexually transmitted infections) testing kits for those hesitant to visit a doctor. “We promote all of these, especially within schools, to educate younger children,” said Eleanor Lake, a library officer at the hub. “There are quite a lot of free initiatives from having free sanitary products to free blood pressure testing machines here at Llanrumney library and community hub.”
Residents hope the hub will continue to inspire and serve as a foundation for even more initiatives, creating a stronger and more connected future for Llanrumney.