#ukse — Public Fediverse posts

£1,000 donation helps Matt’s Café serve hundreds of meals a week in Swansea

Matthew’s House says donation is a “game-changer” for food storage and planning

Matthew’s House, based in a converted church on Swansea’s High Street, is home to Matt’s Café — a community space offering hot meals, showers, laundry, clothing and support to anyone who walks through the door.

The café operates on a “pay what you can” basis and is open three times a week, with no eligibility criteria. Guests are welcome regardless of their circumstances, and many are facing homelessness, mental health challenges or financial hardship.

Now, thanks to a £1,000 donation from UKSE’s Community Fund, the charity has been able to purchase a large freezer to store donated food more efficiently.

“It’s a game-changer for us,” said Project Leader Tom Lynch. “It allows us to plan and organise our food storage more efficiently. We are very grateful to UKSE for their support.”

Supporting Swansea’s most vulnerable with food, dignity and warmth

Matthew’s House was launched in 2017 by The Hill Church Swansea and has grown into a multi-service hub supported by over 150 volunteers. In addition to meals, the charity provides emergency packs, hygiene items, advocacy, and a welcoming space for those who need a chat or a moment of peace.

Much of the food served at Matt’s Café comes from the Fair Share scheme, which intercepts unsold supermarket goods that would otherwise go to waste.

UKSE Regional Executive Alan Jenkins said the company was proud to support the charity’s work:

“We are delighted to assist the wonderful work done by Matthew’s House and, along with their many other supporters, to enable them to bring hope to people who are struggling — especially at this time of year.”

How to support

Matthew’s House continues to rely on donations, volunteers and community partnerships to operate its services. More information is available at matthewshouse.org.uk.

More on Matthew’s House

Matthew’s House named among Big Issue’s Top 100 Changemakers
Swansea’s “beacon of hope” recognised nationally for its work supporting vulnerable people.

Matthew’s House launches ‘Hope in Swansea’ app
New smartphone app connects people in need with local support providers across the city.

Swans Big Sleep Out fundraiser with Matthew’s House
Swansea City AFC Foundation partners with Matthew’s House to raise awareness of homelessness.

Donation station set up for Matthew’s House
Yorkshire Building Society in Swansea collects food and essentials to support the charity.

Browse all Matthew’s House coverage
Explore our full archive of stories about Matthew’s House and its community impact.

#FairShare #foodWaste #HighStreet #homelessness #MattSCafé #MatthewSHouse #Swansea #TheHillChurch #UKSE #UKSECommunityFund

Former Port Talbot steelworker Martyn launches Mental Wellbeing support business

Martyn worked at the steelworks for two years in the run up to the recent changes at the plant offering Mental Health and Wellbeing support to the workforce during that difficult period. 

Now, with financial support from Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE he has launched Springfield Advisory working with businesses and organisations in Neath and Port Talbot and elsewhere to continue his work helping people get through the challenges of daily life.

The problem, he says, is that people often don’t want to confront issues and find it hard to open up to others. “Many people don’t want to admit what they see as weakness and dig themselves further into a hole. This is what I myself did some years ago until I sought help and my life improved as a result.”

While at the Port Talbot works he supported around 100 employees conducting webinars, awareness seminars, walking groups and other techniques he had learnt previously in his work with youth groups in the town where he gained a range of qualifications in First Aid, Mental Health, Addiction and Wellbeing. 

The £11,500 Fast Track loan from UKSE was part of its Support Programme for Wales which has now injected £3 million into the Welsh economy since it launched last year, creating around 400 jobs in 81 businesses.

“It was very beneficial and enabled me to create a website, and this has really helped get the business off the ground.”

Martyn explained that recent changes by the Health and Safety Executive mean that employers must take more responsibility for providing Mental Health and Wellbeing support for the workforce. “This has been a major step forward, and benefits both employers and their workers. From the employer’s point of view it means a more productive, efficient workforce and less time lost through absence.”

Michelle Noble Regional Executive with UKSE said she was delighted to support Springfield Advisory. “In modern life there is a growing awareness of the importance of Mental Wellbeing both at work and in the community. Martyn has the skills and experience to help people deal with the challenges they face and effect real change. We wish the business every success.”

(Lead Image: Nick Treharne)

#Business #mentalHealth #PortTalbot #steelworks #TataSteel #UKSE #wellbeing

Former Port Talbot steelworker Martyn launches Mental Wellbeing support business

Martyn worked at the steelworks for two years in the run up to the recent changes at the plant offering Mental Health and Wellbeing support to the workforce during that difficult period. 

Now, with financial support from Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE he has launched Springfield Advisory working with businesses and organisations in Neath and Port Talbot and elsewhere to continue his work helping people get through the challenges of daily life.

The problem, he says, is that people often don’t want to confront issues and find it hard to open up to others. “Many people don’t want to admit what they see as weakness and dig themselves further into a hole. This is what I myself did some years ago until I sought help and my life improved as a result.”

While at the Port Talbot works he supported around 100 employees conducting webinars, awareness seminars, walking groups and other techniques he had learnt previously in his work with youth groups in the town where he gained a range of qualifications in First Aid, Mental Health, Addiction and Wellbeing. 

The £11,500 Fast Track loan from UKSE was part of its Support Programme for Wales which has now injected £3 million into the Welsh economy since it launched last year, creating around 400 jobs in 81 businesses.

“It was very beneficial and enabled me to create a website, and this has really helped get the business off the ground.”

Martyn explained that recent changes by the Health and Safety Executive mean that employers must take more responsibility for providing Mental Health and Wellbeing support for the workforce. “This has been a major step forward, and benefits both employers and their workers. From the employer’s point of view it means a more productive, efficient workforce and less time lost through absence.”

Michelle Noble Regional Executive with UKSE said she was delighted to support Springfield Advisory. “In modern life there is a growing awareness of the importance of Mental Wellbeing both at work and in the community. Martyn has the skills and experience to help people deal with the challenges they face and effect real change. We wish the business every success.”

(Lead Image: Nick Treharne)

#Business #mentalHealth #PortTalbot #steelworks #TataSteel #UKSE #wellbeing