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Here, you will find the 2025 Cardiff Parenting & Play brochure and roadmap, which gives details of the current programmes on offer from Cardiff Parenting, Children’s Play & some partners.

You can also access Children’s play timetables, which has times, dates, and location for play sessions for children in Cardiff.

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Sebiant Sanctuary offering mental health support

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Sebiant Sanctuary offering mental health support

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Sebiant Sanctuary offering mental health support | C3SC - Cardiff Third Sector Council

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Set up by Platfform, the Sebiant Sanctuary offers a welcoming space for those experiencing crisis, and who are in need of mental health support. The Sanctuary team offer advice, support and a safe space to breathe and connect. The Sanctuary is open every day of the year from 5pm till…

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Visit dwrcymru.com/costofliving to find out whether you could be eligible for money off your bill.

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Stepping Stones: A toolkit for living well. 

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Stepping Stones: A toolkit for living well. 

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Developed in partnership with people living with long-term conditions, Stepping Stones is a toolkit for you to use for your own personal situation, focusing on what matters to you. It is all about making the most of your strengths and abilities, working towards the things that you value to support you to live your best life.

Get your copy of Stepping Stones at Keeping Me Well or have a look at your GP surgery, Cardiff Hubs and Vale libraries.

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Live Fear Free helpline - free and 24 hour

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Live Fear Free helpline - free and 24 hour

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If you, a family member a friend, or someone you are concerned about  has experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, you can contact the Live Fear Free Helpline 24 hours a day 7 days a week, for free advice and support or to talk through your options.

Call 0808 80 10 800 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Text: 07860077333 at any time.

Email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales at any time

Or click here to start a Live Chat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Get in touch with Live Fear Free advisors free of charge by phone, online chat, text or email.

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Live Fear Free Helpline

Live Fear Free can provide help and advice to:

anyone experiencing domestic abuse

anyone who knows someone who needs help. For example, a friend, family member or colleague

practitioners seeking professional advice.

All conversations with Live Fear Free are confidential and are taken by staff that are highly experienced and fully trained.

Call: 0808 80 10 800

Croesawir galwadau yn Gymraeg / Calls are welcomed in Welsh.
Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
About the helpline

Text: 07860077333

Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
About the text service

Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
About the email service

Live chat service

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Live Fear Free Helpline Live Fear Free can provide help and advice to: anyone experiencing domestic abuse anyone who knows someone who needs help. For example, a friend, family member or colleague practitioners seeking professional advice. All conversations with Live Fear Free are confidential and are taken by staff that are highly experienced and fully trained.

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Al-Ikhlas Food Bank: Providing food for those in need event Tuesday, 10am - 12pm. Find out more here.

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Al-Ikhlas Foodbank

Ibn 'Abbas told Ibn az-Zubayr, "I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour is hungry.'"
Donations can be made to Al-Ikhlas Centre, 92 Broadway, Adamsdown, Cardiff CF24 1HN alternatively, please refer to our donation page

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Ibn 'Abbas told Ibn az-Zubayr, "I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour is hungry.'" Donations can be made to Al-Ikhlas Centre, 92 Broadway, Adamsdown, Cardiff CF24 1HN alternatively, please refer to our donation page

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Good Shed: Part of the Men's Sheds Cymru movement

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Good Shed: Part of the Men's Sheds Cymru movement

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GoodShed is an inclusive space to connect, collaborate and create. A new home for the community to share skills and experiences, build stuff and drink tea. The group meets every Thursday, 2 - 4pm.

No previous experience or tools necessary just come along.

In the community - With the community - For the community

(GoodShed was formerly the Men's Shed group - the group is now open to both men and women)

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Come and explore the Five Ways to Wellbeing at our Wellbeing Cafe; a friendly, welcoming space to connect with other people, share wellbeing tips and ideas and try out some enjoyable activities. Find out more here.

The “cafe” is open every Thursday from 1pm till 3pm with a different weekly activity starting around 2pm.  The first and last half hour will be an informal drop in to chat, have a cuppa, or just be in the company of others. Each week we will explore one or more of the five ways to wellbeing; you can read more about these here.

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FAN Stands for Friends and Neighbours. FAN groups are weekly meetings where people sit in a circle and talk about a chosen topic.

Groups in STAR area:

Mondays at 2 pm, Urban Crofters, Crofts Street, Roath
Mondays at 5 pm, Pen y Lan Library, Roath
Thursdays 10.15 , Oasis Splott Road, Splott
Thursdays 11.00 am, MADE Cafe, 41 Lochaber Street Roath
Thursday 1.30 pm, Mack 31 Mackintosh Church, Mackintosh Place, Roath
Fridays 2.00 pm Capel i Bawb, Cardiff Royal Infirmary , Newport Road, Roath

Please check the FAN Website 'Find A FAN Meeting' for most up to date locations and times of In person groups in Cardiff.

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Volunteer with the Birth Partner Project

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Volunteer with the Birth Partner Project

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"The Birth Partner Project is a Cardiff-based charity run by a small team and a group of really committed volunteers! We provide support to pregnant women and birthing people, who are seeking sanctuary, in their pregnancy, during birth and in the postpartum.

We believe that no one should have to birth alone.

We're really excited that our volunteer role has now expanded to include Postpartum Volunteers and Drop-in Volunteers "

Apply here

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If you are feeling lonely or isolated then the The Moorland Community Centre lunch club, Moorland Rd, Splott, Cardiff, CF24 2LG. is a good place to meet people and make new friends. They offer a daily lunch Tuesday, Wed & Thursday for the over 50's with lunch served at 12.30 Lunch is charged at just £4.00 per person and you can secure a spot by booking in advance.

Various activities can be enjoyed at the club. They also have bingo each Tues, Wed and Thursday at 1.30pm.

For further information just pop in or call Clarissa or Elza on 029 2132 8845 or e mail moorlandcommunity@yahoo.co.uk.

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Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Mental Health Services for Older People provides specialist mental health care and treatment to an older people. Email mail@cavamh.org.uk or call 02920 222000.

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Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Mental Health Services for Older People provides specialist mental health care and treatment to an older people population of 47,000 in the City of Cardiff and 24,200 in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Specialist Mental Health Services for Older People aims to help:

People with moderate to severe dementia of any age who present with significant behaviour and/or psychiatric symptoms or where there are significant vulnerability or risk issues

People with severe late onset mental illness who present after the age of 65 years and have not been in contact with Adult Mental Health Services for a period greater than 5 years.
Purpose of the Service:
To provide high quality mental health assessment, care and treatment for older people with significant mental health needs that would benefit from access to specialist secondary mental health services.

To work in partnership with voluntary sector agencies, such as the Alzheimer's Society and Crossroads Care, and the Local Authority Social Service Departments of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

There are also close working arrangements with Medicine and other Clinical Boards within the Health Board to provide the best and most appropriate support possible to those in need of specialist mental health care services and their carers/families.
The MHSOP Directorate upholds the principle of person centred care in all of its services and supports staff to provide dignified and respectful care that meets assessed individual needs, supports choice and enhances well being. The Senior Directorate Team works to ensure that the highest quality care and treatment is provided within services and that it is delivered in the safest, most clinically effective and compassionate manner. Contacts:
Dr. Michael Ivenso, Interim Clinical Director
Dr. Arpita Chakrabarti, Interim Deputy Clinical Director
Mark Doherty, Lead Nurse
Joanne Wilson, Directorate Manager

MHSOP Directorate Office, Llandough Hospital, Penlan Road, Penarth, CF64 2XX
For information on individual MHSOP services and teams, see the links below.

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Liaison Psychiatry Older People (LPOP) work closely with patients aged over 65 in the 4 general hospitals of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. These include University Hospital Wales, University Hospital Llandough, Barry Hospital and St Davids. The team use a model of care known as RAID which stands for Rapid Assessment, Interface and Discharge.

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The Silverline: Free, confidential telephone support and advice for older people

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The Silverline: Free, confidential telephone support and advice for older people

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Call free on 0800 4 70 80 90

The Silver Line Helpline is a free, confidential telephone service just for older people. They provide friendship, conversation and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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The Silver Line Helpline is a free telephone service just for older people. We provide friendship and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Explore online factsheets and resources or if you want to talk to someone directly, in Welsh or English, call 0300 303 44 98 charged at local rate (open between 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday - Friday). Email Age Cymru at advice@agecymru.org.uk

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Age Cymru Advice is committed to being the foremost information and advice service on matters affecting older people in Wales. We provide confidential, impartial and expert information and advice to older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals.

Our vision is that every older person in Wales has choice and control over your own lives with easy access to the information and advice you need to help make that a reality.

Our approach and principles are:

to offer free, impartial and confidential information and advice that's accessible to all

to offer a person-centred and holistic service, where necessary working in partnership with other providers to meet the wants and needs of individuals

to be non-judgemental, congruent and understanding of the needs of individuals, demonstrating unconditional positive regard and empathy at all times

to provide expert, consistent and quality assured support; ensuring our resources are accurate, up-to-date and fit-for-purpose

to promote your rights and entitlements, empowering you to make informed decisions about matters affecting your life

to put older people at the heart of everything we do.

If you want to talk to someone directly, in Welsh or English, call us on 0300 303 44 98 charged at local rate (open between 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday - Friday). Email us at advice@agecymru.org.uk
Demand for our advice line is incredibly high at the moment at this worrying time for many. We have increased capacity on our line but it make take longer than usual to get through. Please bear with us, we will get to you as quickly as we can.
People with hearing loss can choose to contact the service via the Next Generation Text service or Text Relay service. Additionally people with a limited understanding of the English (or Welsh) language can request to have their call dealt with in a language of their choice. Age Cymru Advice works in partnership with Languageline Solutions to provide access to interpreters covering more than 240 languages.

The Age Cymru Advice line also acts as a gateway to our local services. Face to face support via local brand partner offices and home visits may be available to callers requiring additional or more specialised support.

Alternatively, you may be able to find the answers to your questions in our factsheets or information guides. Our guides provide an overview of a particular topic, whilst our factsheets provide more detailed, in-depth information.

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Age Cymru Advice is committed to being the foremost information and advice service on matters affecting older people in Wales. We provide confidential, impartial and expert information and advice to older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals.

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Project Effro: For those living with dementia, or supporting someone living with dementia

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Project Effro: For those living with dementia, or supporting someone living with dementia

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Information, advice, personalised one to one support and group support for those living with dementia, or supporting someone living with dementia.

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Book an appointment with the Wales Refugee Council

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Book an appointment with the Wales Refugee Council

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Opening Times of office on Broadway
Mon: 10:00 – 15:00
Tues: 10:00 – 15:00
Thurs: 10:00 – 15:00
Friday: 10:00 - 13:00

If you are an asylum seeker or refugee, you must call to make appointment where we will discuss your needs and direct you to the right service.

Please call Freephone: 0808 196 7273 to make an appointment. More details at: https://wrc.wales/get-support/

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ESOL sessions for asylum seekers and refugees

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ESOL sessions for asylum seekers and refugees

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English for Speakers of Other Languages is hosted at the Trinity Centre every Friday afternoon at 13:00pm. Please contact the Welsh Refugee Council at info@wrc.wales or call 0808 196 7273 for more information and to make a booking.

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Description

English to Speakers of Other Languages is hosted at the Trinity Centre every Friday afternoon at 13:00pm.

Please contact the Welsh Refugee Council at info@wrc.wales or call 0808 196 7273 for more information and to make a booking.

Details

Trinity Centre

21st January 2022

1:00pm

FREE

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English to Speakers of Other Languages is hosted at the Trinity Centre every Friday afternoon at 13:00pm. Please contact the Welsh Refugee Council at info@wrc.wales or call 0808 196 7273 for more information and to make a booking. Trinity Centre 21st January 2022 1:00pm FREE

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Oasis Cardiff offers specialist Immigration advice and Representation services at both OISC Level 2 Immigration and Asylum & Protection.

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Oasis now offers Immigration advice and representation Services. OISC Registration Number: F202000120

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The Birth Partner Project - referrals for pregnant sanctuary seeking women in need of support

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The Birth Partner Project - referrals for pregnant sanctuary seeking women in need of support

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You can make a referral by contacting the team through the website, sending an email to info@birthpartnerproject.org or calling 07871 911415: "If you are contacting us via the website or email, please do not include any sensitive information about the woman you are referring, simply send us your phone number and we will contact you to complete a referral form over the phone."

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Who does The Birth Partner Project help?

The Birth Partner Project provides trained volunteer birth partners to offer companionship and practical support to refugee and asylum seeker women in Cardiff throughout the latter stages of pregnancy, labour, birth and the first few weeks postnatally.

Why does this support matter?

Research has shown that experiencing continuity of care throughout pregnancy drastically improves outcomes for pregnant women. Women seeking sanctuary in the UK often are not able to access care in this way; many are moved to different areas one or more times during their pregnancy -often without warning - preventing maternity teams from being able to transfer information to midwives in the new location. In addition, these women also experience many other challenges including language barriers, an unfamiliar healthcare system, financial difficulties and mental health issues as well as living with the effects of trauma, loneliness and isolation. The intersection of multiple and severe disadvantages all contribute to the barriers women seeking sanctuary face in being able to enjoy a healthy pregnancy. The research also shows that having the presence of a trustworthy, compassionate companion during pregnancy, labour and birth has an incredibly positive effect on both mum and baby. Our volunteer birth partners are there to provide this support to the women who use our service; enabling them to make informed decisions about their birth, advocating for their choices when necessary and providing a safe, consistent network of support and friendship.

What does 'seeking sanctuary' mean?

We use the term 'seeking sanctuary' to refer to both asylum-seekers and refugees. An asylum seeker is someone who arrived in the UK and requested protection from persecution and serious human rights violations in another country. Additionally, people who have arrived in the UK as a result of human trafficking (the exploitation of vulnerable people for illegal purposes such as the sex trade or modern slavery), can make an application for asylum. Any person who claims asylum is referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until a decision is made on the application. If a person's claim for asylum is accepted, their status changes from 'asylum seeker' to 'refugee'.

What services does The Birth Partner Project provide?

Our volunteer birth partners provide information, guidance and companionship to pregnant women seeking sanctuary from 34 weeks onwards, throughout labour and birth and during the first 8 weeks postnatally.

How can I support The Birth Partner Project?

There are lots of ways you can support The Birth Partner Project. Make a one-off or regular monthly donation, organise a fundraiser, become a volunteer or simply connect with us on social media and spread the word about what we do! You can also donate your skills in other ways - from sewing reusable breast pads for new mums or collecting items for a new baby. Get in touch with us for more details.

Do I need to have any particular skills or experience to become a volunteer birth partner?

Our volunteer birth partners come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds, skills and life experiences. The one thing they all share in common is a desire to make a difference in the lives of women seeking sanctuary through solidarity, companionship and support. You don't need any special skills or experience to become a volunteer birth partner, as we provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you carry out your role.

What is the time commitment required to be a volunteer birth partner?

Typically, most volunteers will support 1-3 women a year depending on their availability. Anyone who would like to become a volunteer birth partner must commit to engaging with our training sessions and commit to volunteering for at least 18 months. When a woman is referred to our service, information about the woman and her expected due date is shared with the volunteers and a small team of three volunteers is created to support her. The team meet with the woman during the weeks leading up to birth and 8 weeks postnatally, and a rota is created to cover the time surrounding the expected due date, where each volunteer signs up for an 8 hour shift during each 24 hour period.

How do I make a referral?

You can make a referral by contacting us through the website, sending an email to info@birthpartnerproject.org or calling 07871 911415. If you are contacting us via the website or email, please do not include any sensitive information about the woman you are referring, simply send us your phone number and we will contact you to complete a referral form over the phone.

Does The Birth Partner Project operate in other areas of the UK?

Currently, we only offer our services in Cardiff, Wales. However, we've got exciting plans to expand in the future! Sign up for our newsletter below to receive updates.

How do I find out about job vacancies?

We are a small but growing organisation. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter and keep an eye on our job vacancies to find out when we're recruiting new team members.

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The Birth Partner Project provides trained volunteer birth partners to offer companionship and practical support to refugee and asylum seeker women in Cardiff throughout the latter stages of pregnancy, labour, birth and the first few weeks postnatally.

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Space4U: Drop in advice and info session

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Space4U: Drop in advice and info session

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A drop in advice and support session for asylum seekers and refugees - all welcome! Every  Thursday at 14:00 - 16:00

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A drop in for asylum seekers and refugees - all welcome! Sesiwn galw mewn i geiswyr lloches a ffoaduriaid - croeso i bawb!

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Find the most suitable agency for you, who can discuss your situation and possible refer to food bank services.

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The Trussell Trust runs the largest network of food banks in the UK, giving emergency food and support to people in crisis. Fourteen million people live below the poverty line and in the last year 2,1 million three-day emergency food supplies were distributed to people in crisis.

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Breakfast Club with Splott Community Volunteers

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Breakfast Club with Splott Community Volunteers

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Breakfast Club is open every Thursday at the old STAR Centre, 2 Splott Road. Please note the new time: From June 1st 2023 Breakfast Club will run 8.30am - 10.30am

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The Breakfast Club offers a warm, hospitable and engaging welcome, providing families with a place where children and parents/carers can have a hot, nutritious meal with their neighbours.

Breakfast Club provides an opportunity to build social networks and enables people from different cultures and backgrounds, who may not otherwise meet, to come together and form solid connections and friendships, thus strengthening the community in which they live and bringing about ongoing positive impact.

​Free school meals uptake is very high and a lot of "holiday hunger" exists in the area, where low-income families struggle to eat healthily outside term time. We value our local community and engage with local supermarkets to use their surplus food to provide a hot meal and a free bag of food to take home for people experiencing food poverty.

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The Breakfast Club offers a warm, hospitable and engaging welcome, providing families with a place where children and parents/carers can have a hot, nutritious meal with their neighbours.

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Weekly market stall every Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm outdoors at the Oasis Centre with variable pricing to make sure food is accessible to everyone in the community.

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We're a group of neighbours from Splott, Adamsdown, and Tremorfa who have joined forces to meet our food needs in a more collective and meaningful way. By purchasing and distributing high-quality food affordably, we're not only feeding our bodies, but also our community together. Watch this short introduction video, or read more below about what we do, the benefits, and how we organise together.

Join us every Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm outdoors at the Oasis Centre for our weekly market stall, where you'll find a variety of food and household items, as well as opportunities to connect with your fellow community members. Whether you're looking to purchase food at wholesale prices, pre-order a locally-sourced vegetable box, swap home-grown produce, or get involved to help run and organise, we've got you covered.

We use variable pricing to make sure we are accessible to everyone in the community. Cheaper for those who are struggling to afford food, a bit more for those who have the ability to pay it (at your own discretion). Whether you're in need of a little extra support, or want to pay it forward, these boxes are a symbol of our community's commitment to one another.

Check out our Vision and Goals page to learn more about our mission, or head to the Become a Member page to join the movement. Or get in Contact. We can't wait to see you at the market!

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We're a group of neighbours from Splott, Adamsdown, and Tremorfa who have joined forces to meet our food needs in a more collective and meaningful way. By purchasing and distributing high-quality food affordably, we're not only feeding our bodies, but also our community together.

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Splott Food Bank is open Wednesdays, 1pm - 3pm and
Thursdays, 6:30pm - 8pm. The food bank is open for clients only.

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Need to access a foodbank voucher?

More details - Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system. In order to get help from our foodbank, you will need a voucher issued by local agencies. - Find out more

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Need to access a foodbank voucher? More details - Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system. In order to get help from our foodbank, you will need a voucher issued by local agencies. - Find out more

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Warm Wales: Energy Advice and Affordable Warmth

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Warm Wales: Energy Advice and Affordable Warmth

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The team of friendly and knowledgeable Community Workers offers a range of advice, support, and referral options tailored to the needs of the household. Warm Wales’ services are free and open to everyone in Wales.

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Citizen's Advice: Help to pay your energy bills

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Citizen's Advice: Help to pay your energy bills

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Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills

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You can get help if you're struggling to afford your energy bills or top up your prepayment meter. You might be able to take advantage of certain benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers.

Get a £400 energy discount from the government

The government will give every household £400 off their electricity bill. This is called the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

You don't need to do anything to get the money and you won't have to pay it back.

You'll get the £400 in 6 instalments starting from October 2022. You'll get:

£66 in October and November

£67 in December, January, February and March

You'll get the discount monthly, even if you pay for your energy quarterly or use a payment card.

How you get the discount will depend on how you pay for energy.

If you pay by direct debit

Your supplier will either:

reduce your direct debit amount

refund the money to your bank account each month

Contact your supplier if you can't see the deduction on your bill or statement, or the refund in your bank account.

If you have a smart prepayment meter

You should get the discount within the first 5 working days of each month. If you don't, speak to your supplier.

If your smart meter's working in smart mode, the discount will be added directly to your smart meter. You can check if your smart meter's working in smart mode.

If your smart meter isn't working in smart mode

Your supplier might not be able to add the discount directly to your smart meter. They'll usually send it by text message, email or post as either:

a code you can use to top up online

a voucher

You can only use your voucher for your own energy accounts. But you might be able to choose to use it for gas or electricity - even if you have different suppliers for these.

Your supplier will tell you where you can use your voucher. You'll usually need to take it to a local Post Office or shop with a PayPoint logo.

You'll need to show a UK driving licence or utility bill with the same name and address as your energy account.

If you have a traditional prepayment meter

You'll get the discount as either:

an automatic credit when you top up at your usual top-up point

a voucher

Your supplier will tell you in advance how you'll get your discount.

If you get an automatic credit but you can't afford to top up, speak to your supplier. They might be able to send you a voucher.

If you get a voucher

Your supplier will send the voucher by text message, email or post - you should get it by the 17th day of each month.

You can only use your voucher for your own energy accounts. But you might be able to choose to use it for gas or electricity - even if you have different suppliers for these.

Your supplier will tell you where you can use your voucher. You'll probably need to take it to a local Post Office or shop with a PayPoint logo.

You'll need to show a UK driving licence or utility bill with the same name and address as your energy account.

You'll need to use your voucher within 3 months of getting it - all vouchers must be used by 30 June 2023. If your voucher expires before you've used it, contact your supplier to ask them to send you a new one. You'll need to do this before the scheme ends on 30 June 2023.

If you pay by standard credit or payment card

Your supplier will add the discount as a credit to your account within the first 5 working days of each month. The credit will appear on your account in the same way as if you had made a payment.

If you didn't get the energy discount automatically

The government has announced that you'll still be able to get a £400 payment if you don't have a contract with an energy supplier, for example if you live in a:

You can apply for the energy bill support discount on GOV.UK.

Check if something is an energy scam

Energy scams are on the rise.

Scammers have different ways of getting hold of personal information or bank details - for example, by pretending to:

be a supplier offering a refund

be from Ofgem - asking for information so you can get the £400 energy rebate

be a debt collector asking for money owed to a supplier that's gone bust

offer green home improvement grants

offer energy investment opportunities

offer cheap prepayment meter top-up keys or cards

offer energy-saving devices

Check if something is a scam.

You can also contact our scams advisers if you:

think you might have found an online scam

need advice about scams

want to report an online scam

Talk to a scams adviser.

Check how the Energy Price Guarantee affects you

The government has put a limit for most households on the rates your supplier can charge you for gas and electricity.

This is called the Energy Price Guarantee. It started on 1 October 2022 and will last until April 2024. However, the limit will go up after 30 June 2023.

The amount you'll pay depends on how much gas and electricity you use.

You don't need to do anything. The Energy Price Guarantee automatically applies to all types of energy tariffs.

Check how your energy bills will change.

If you pay your landlord for energy

If your landlord gets a discount on energy from a government scheme, they must pass on a fair amount of the discount to you.

You can check how your landlord should pass on energy discounts and how to challenge them if they don't.

If your home is on a heat network

Heat network suppliers must pass on a fair amount of any discount they get from the government's Energy Bill Relief Scheme to you.

You can check how to get a discount on your energy if you're part of a heat network.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

If you get benefits, you might be able to get £150 off your electricity bill or £150 added to your prepayment meter. You don't need to apply for the scheme - payments are automatic. You should get a letter from your supplier confirming the payment.

You should get the Warm Home Discount if you or your partner got the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit on 21 August 2022.

You might also be able to get the Warm Home Discount if you get a different benefit and the government decides you have 'high energy costs'. This is based on the type of property you live in, not how much you spend. They'll work this out automatically - you don't need to contact them.

If you have high energy costs, you'll get the Warm Home Discount if you or your partner got any of the following benefits on 21 August 2022:

Universal Credit

Pension Credit Savings Credit

Housing Benefit

income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits

Income Support

You can check if your supplier is part of the Warm Home Discount Scheme and see if you're eligible on GOV.UK.

If you're eligible, you'll get a letter from your supplier by the middle of January. If you don't, contact the Warm Home Discount helpline. You'll need to call them before 28 February 2023.
Warm Home Discount helpline
Telephone: 0800 107 8002

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

If you're eligible for the Warm Home Discount but switched supplier after 21 August 2022

Check the supplier you were with on 21 August 2022. If you were eligible to get the discount from them, you should still get it. Contact your old supplier and:

ask if they have your contact details

check when the payment will be made

If your supplier on 21 August 2022 isn't in the scheme, you won't get the discount. This is true even if you switched to a supplier in the scheme after this date.

If you're on a low income and struggling with living costs, there are also other things you can do. Check if you can increase your income.

Check if you can get a fuel voucher

If you can't afford to top up your prepayment meter, you might be able to get a fuel voucher. This is a code given to you in a letter, text message or email. You can use it to add credit to your gas card or electricity key. If you don't have one of these, contact your supplier to get one.

Your local council might be able to help you get a fuel voucher - find your local council on GOV.UK. If you're still not sure if you can get a voucher, get help from an adviser.

You can use a fuel voucher at:

To use your voucher you'll need to take:

the code and instructions

some form of ID - for example, your passport or a bill with your name and address

Check your fuel voucher to see when it expires. You might have to use it within 15 days.

If you have problems using your voucher, contact the organisation that gave it to you - you should be able to find their contact information on the instructions.

If you don't use gas or electricity to heat your home

If you use alternative fuels such as biomass or heating oil, the government will give you a £200 payment to help with your energy bills. This is called the 'Alternative Fuel Payment'.

If you have an electricity supplier, they'll have made an automatic payment to you in February 2023. If you don't have a contract with an electricity supplier, you can apply for the Alternative Fuel Payment on GOV.UK.

If you can't afford to buy fuel

You might be able to get extra financial help if you:

rely on oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), coal or wood as your main source of heating

aren't on the gas grid

You'll need to show that you can't heat your home because you can't afford to buy fuel - or you might not be able to afford it soon.

Talk to an adviser if you need extra help. Your local Citizens Advice will need to apply for you.

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual one-off payment to help you pay for heating during the winter.

You can usually get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 25 September 1956.

You'll automatically get an extra 'pensioner cost of living payment' with your usual Winter Fuel Payment in either November or December.

You should start getting the Winter Fuel Payment automatically once you reach State Pension age, but sometimes you might need to apply. You can find out how to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment on GOV.UK.

Check how much pensioner cost of living payment you'll get

You'll get £300 if you live either:

on your own

with people who don't qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment

If you live with someone else who qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment, the amount you'll get depends on whether either of you gets any of the following:

Pension Credit

income-related ESA

income-based JSA

If either you or the person you live with gets one of these benefits, you'll both get £300 - as long as you're not partners. If you're partners, you'll only get one £300 payment.

If neither of you gets one of these benefits, you'll both get £150.

If you live in residential care and qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, you'll get £150 unless you get any of these benefits. If you get any of the benefits, you won't get a pensioner cost of living payment.

Cold Weather Payments

Cold Weather Payments are one-off payments to help you pay for extra heating costs when it's very cold.

You'll get a payment each time the temperature drops below a specific temperature for a set period of time.

You'll only be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you already get:

Pension Credit

Income Support

income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Universal Credit

support for mortgage interest

If you're eligible, you'll get paid automatically. Find out more about Cold Weather Payments on GOV.UK.

If you use an oxygen concentrator

If you use an oxygen concentrator for a disability or health condition, you can get money back for the electricity it uses. This is called a 'rebate'.

You should get the rebate every 3 months. The person who installs your concentrator should tell you how to get the rebate.

If your rebate hasn't been set up, contact the supplier of your concentrator. Your supplier depends on where you live. If you live in:

Grants to help pay off energy debt

If you're behind with your energy bills, you might be able to get a grant to help you pay off your debt. This might be from your energy company or a charitable trust.

Check which grants you can apply for.

Grants for energy-saving home improvements

You might be able to get help with the cost of things like insulation, a new boiler or improvements to your heating.

Check if you can get help making energy-saving improvements to your home.

Local energy grants

You might be able to find grants or schemes run by your local council. You can try searching on your local council's website for energy grants. Find your local council's website on GOV.UK.

Extra help from your supplier

You might be able to get extra help and support from your energy supplier by signing up to the Priority Services Register. You can sign up if you've reached State Pension age, you're disabled or sick, or your energy network considers you 'vulnerable'.

Your energy supplier can help you with things like:

reading your energy meter

moving your energy meter free of charge

getting your bills sent or copied to someone else - for example, a carer

If you need somewhere to stay warm

You can ask your local council if they have a 'warm space'. These are public places which anyone can use to stay warm - for example, a library or town hall.

You can find out how to contact your local council on GOV.UK.

If you're struggling with living costs

If you're struggling with money, there are things you can do to save on your regular living costs. Check what to do if you need help with living costs.

If you're finding it hard to pay your bills, you can get help. Find out more about getting help with your bills.

You can also get help with debts.

If you're struggling to pay for food, find out how to get help from a food bank.

If you're finding things difficult

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You should talk to your GP if your money problems are affecting your mental health.

You can find other ways to get help with your mental health on the Mind website.

Samaritans

If you need to speak to someone right now, you can call the Samaritans for free.

Helpline: 116 123 (Monday to Sunday at any time)

Welsh Language Line: 0808 164 0123 (Monday to Sunday 7pm to 11pm)

Shout

You can also text 'SHOUT' to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained Shout 85258 volunteer. Texts are free, anonymous and confidential from anywhere in the UK.

If you think it's an emergency

If you think your life or someone else's is at risk, you should call 999 or go to A&E if you can.

You can also find a list of urgent mental health services on the Mind website.

Further help

Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline if you need more help - a trained adviser can give you advice over the phone or by email.

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Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills

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You can get help if you're struggling to afford your energy bills or top up your prepayment meter. You might be able to take advantage of certain benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers. The government will give every household £400 off their electricity bill.