B&Q Bridgend

Baobab Bach provides affordable food through use of surplus from several different sources, one of which is Neighbourly. We aim to reduce landfill and prevent waste as well as generating wellbeing through our welcoming Community Pantries. There is always a cuppa and a chat to be had! Some of the surplus food is made into nutritious frozen ready meals by our cook. These can be delivered or bought in the Community Pantries. We grow our own fruit and vegetables in our 3 Growing Projects and teach people how to do this at home. This also supports wellbeing and the environment through local production of food and carbon fixation. Our many volunteers are the lifeblood of the organisation building friendships and wellbeing as they serve their communities. We always need food, plants and materials for growing edibles, and volunteers.

The purpose of the Bridge Mentoring Plus Scheme (The Bridge) is to support the most disadvantaged people of Bridgend who are facing challenges such as long term unemployment, poverty, mental health issues, poor health and well-being and social exclusion and loneliness. By providing free, nonjudgmental and accessible support we work alongside our beneficiaries boosting their skills, increasing their prospects, maximising their potential and strengthening our community. We provide a range of opportunities that enable volunteers of all ages to explore new pathways whilst helping other disadvantaged and vulnerable people. People can become involved with the operation of our organisation by providing a valuable opportunity to develop business and management skills or to access to our traditional placements such as mentoring, marketing, customer care, catering, reception, administration, youth club support, simple painting and decorating, gardening, carpentry and fundraising. For young people (aged 8 - 25) that facing problems in their lives we provide 1-2-1 mentor support using trained volunteers who will assist the young person to address issues and work towards desired goals. Our youth club provides an additional resource for mentors and young people to meet. In June we will be opening a youth club one evening a week for Children with Additional needs.

Our outreach centre offers several community projects, and we are always looking to add to our services. We work with vulnerable people, those that suffer victimisation or social exclusion because of a particular trait or circumstance. We work in particular with homeless individuals, those that are unemployed or living in poverty, and those that face social exclusion for any other reason. Our work aims to break down barriers provide opportunities and build and maintain positive relationships in the community. We are community led and ask listen and devise how to provide the services needed for these individuals and communities and work with them to find the best way to deliver the service. We work with the homeless community, offering them access to the training centre and the facilities so that they can begin to form positive steps towards integrating into the community via employment and commitment. We offer practical help such as care packages including food and hygiene products and help to find shelter overnight. Offering access to phone and internet use to help them claim benefits, register for housing and access medical and dental care. We also work with those in temporary accommodation and those living in poverty to support food distribution to try and ensure none goes hungry or without necessary provisions. We offer flexibility in the program so that we can meet the ever-changing needs of individuals in the homeless community, as they progress thorough stages guiding them to take positive measures and encourage inclusion and diversity in the local community.