Approaching their 10th anniversary, Splott Community Volunteers have been honoured at the Cardiff Volunteer Awards 2024.
Splott Community Volunteers have been named Group of the Year at the Cardiff Volunteer Awards 2024 this November.
The organisation, which started over a decade ago as a food poverty alleviation charity, has now expanded into a varied project focussing on not just food insecurity but also financial and social poverty.
“Winning this award is just phenomenal,” said Lynne Thomas, the project manager. “It’s a testament to our volunteers’ hard work and the support of the community. We’re over the moon to have this recognition and to share the joy with everyone involved.”
One of their projects is the Breakfast Club, which has become an important part of the community. “We didn’t have our own building before February 2023,” Lynne said. “We used to rent a room once a week for our Breakfast Club. The night before, we’d gather all the food donations, come in very early to set everything up, and pack it all away once we were finished.”
The personal stories of the volunteers also show what the group has done. Lynne talked about a 91-year-old worker who joined after losing his wife. “He’s the life and soul of the Breakfast Club. His energy and optimism make everyone feel better,” said Lynne.
The group’s pet food bank is another important service. “We’ve had people walk through the door in tears because they’re not feeding themselves or heating their homes, but they’re still put their pets first because they love them so much,” Lynne said. “This is why we set up the pet food bank. It provides free pet food for people in need and helps take a little bit of the pressure off.”
The Splott Community Volunteers started a new project this month that gives people over 65 free dance events every month. Along with free transportation, the events have live music and an afternoon tea buffet. The project will last until December 2025 and is paid for by the Barchester Charitable Foundation and the McCarthy Stone Foundation, according to Lynne.
The organisation has had some success, but they still have difficulties. Lynne said that they are currently working on a site that is set aside for development and that they hope to find a safe place to keep working and improve.
“Our mission is to answer the needs of the community, whether it’s providing warmth, food, or simply a sense of togetherness,” said Lynne. “We encourage those considering volunteering to come experience one of our sessions and see the difference they can make.”
