ALDI PORTHCAWL

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.

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.

As an organisation we offerer a wide variety of services in 4 specific areas. ⭐️Security:- Food security, we provide £3 single and £5 family food bags. We offer free meals every weekday excluding Wednesdays ( from April 19th) to everyone in the community. (We are aware that food is often provided but many people are finding it difficult to finance the fuel to cook it) During the 6 week holidays we offer free packed lunches for children every Tuesday and Thursday. Financial:- we offer advice and practical help to access benefits, filling in forms and making claims. We offer adult training and education, and free courses to help people into employment and earning. Housing support. When available we offer fuel crisis support. ⭐️ loneliness and social isolation:- Befriending, We offer a free befriending service in the community to those that are over 65 and isolated. We have a team of befrienders who have their own designated clients that they visit weekly for a chat, cup of tea, or do activities at home. Drop in. Our centre is open weekdays for members of the community to call in for a meal and free tea and coffee. It is place where you can meet people and socialise. The drop in is well used by the community and also our homeless clients, this is great opportunity for everyone to come together and be part of a community. We run clubs including craft club, games club, movie club and women’s Wednesday. Wednesday’s ( from April 19th 2023) we will be open as a safe space for women to come together, find support enjoy activities and have a ladies lunch, in conjunction with Safer Wales. ⭐️ Support:- Individual. We offer on going support and practical help to individuals facing challenges such as debt, offering debt management and advice. Help with tenancy support and support for ex offenders to reintegrate and support them to avoid reoffending. ⭐️ Advocacy. Promotion. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the community. We are happy to advocate causes that promote this. Self help. We offer a safe space to run peer to peer support groups for members of the community to come together and support each other. All donated food is redistributed, either via a pantry or cooked meals, for free