Sainsbury's Bridgend

The Family Breakfast provides a free breakfast on Saturday mornings for people living in the Pyle/ Cornelly area where there is much social deprivation. Children in Wales receive a free breakfast in school on weekdays but there is obviously a gap on weekends. The breakfast comprises bacon, egg and sausage baps, cereals, fruit, yoghurts, fruit juice, tea and coffee. The breakfast is completely free but donations are always welcome. We also provide a "Bring and Share" table stocked with home made baking where people pay if they can and take if they need. Although the scheme was initially aimed at those finding the cost of living difficult, we also attract others who drop in for a coffee and cake. They appreciate the warm, welcoming environment and generous donations mean that the breakfast element of our scheme is self sustaining. Their presence also means that there is no social stigma attached to the Family Breakfast. We have also recently started a community pantry stocking dried and tinned foods and fresh fruit and vegetables. Here people can select any three items. These include bags of fruit or stew packs of vegetables as well as tinned and dried staples. We are very grateful to James Food Hall in Pyle Garden Centre for their surplus fruit and vegetables. This again is free although donations are welcome. The Family Breakfast opened on 4th February this year with a donation from Pyle Community Council for initial equipment and improvements to the kitchen. We are grateful for the support of local community and county councillors as well as local PCSOs who attend the breakfast and are able to offer support to local people. Numbers attending Family Breakfast are growing on a weekly basis. With additional help from Neighbourly, we hope to extend our provision.

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.

To further or benefit the residents of the llynfi valley and the surrounding areas and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.