Tai Tarian’s Community Challenge provides a new kitchen for Port Talbot Foodbank
Tai Tarian’s latest Community Challenge has ensured Port Talbot Foodbank in Carmel Chapel has a brand new kitchen in time for Christmas.
The housing association has worked with its contractors Jistcourt to organise the complete refurbishment of the basic kitchen, including installing cupboards, work surfaces and two new sinks.
The kitchen has also been re-tiled and had an overhaul of its plumbing and electrics to bring it up to modern standards.
The work, which is part of Tai Tarian’s commitment to give something back to the community, will make it easier for the foodbank staff to prepare and cook hot meals which it provides for thousands of local people in need in the Port Talbot area.
Bethan Eleri Davies, Port Talbot Foodbank Manager, said, “The kitchen hasn’t been updated since we launched the foodbank charity in 2014 so we are so excited that Tai Tarian’s community challenge is giving us a brand new facility.
“The amount of cups of tea and hot meals that go out is unbelievable so it’s going to make life so much easier for us as well as benefitting those who use our services.
“We see thousands of people in need so it’s great that we have a good kitchen to be able to help them.”
The Port Talbot Foodbank kitchen refurbishment is the final project of Tai Tarian’s 2017 Community Challenge programme. The programme began in 2012 to ensure all contractors who work with the housing provider do something to positively benefit the community.
The partnership programme has involved Mi-Space, ASW Property Services, SERS, RT Contractors, PBM and Jistcourt and has seen the following projects receive free building or maintenance work
- Port Talbot Foodbank
- Resolven Community Centre
- St Illtyd’s Church, Neath
- Brightstars Play Group, Crynant
- Ysgol Tyle’r Ynn, Briton Ferry
- Ynysfach Primary School, Resolven
- Cross Community Centre, Pontardawe
- Friends and Neighbours Centre, Neath
Tim Gwilliam, Senior Site Manager at Jistcourt, said, “Jistcourt have been involved with numerous worthwhile projects with Tai Tarian over the years and it gives us great pleasure to give something back to the community.
“I’m sure this new kitchen will make a big difference to the volunteers who work in the Foodbank and provide a sadly much needed service to the community.
“We would like to thank Phillips Electrical Services, EWS Electrial Suppliers and Rixonway Kitchens for working with us for free and donating all the electrical goods and materials needed.
“I hope it helps make a positive difference to the fantastic work the Foodbank does and we look forward to our next community project with Tai Tarian.”
Applications for next year’s series of Tai Tarian Community Challenges will be invited early in 2018 and are open to any organisations that help the community including churches, schools, sports clubs and community groups.
Information will be available on Tai Tarian’s website www.taitarian.co.uk and social media including Twitter and Facebook.
