Community groups across Blaenau Gwent are playing a vital role in tackling loneliness and social isolation, offering residents much more than just a warm place to visit.
As part of Month of Community and during Loneliness Awareness Week, which runs from 15 to 21 June, a number of local warm hubs are being recognised for the positive impact they are having on people’s lives.
Projects including Ebenezer Baptist Church in Abertillery, Men’s Shed BG, Tyleri Transition, Ebbw Fach Community Group, Tredegar Workmen’s Medical Aid Heritage Centre Warm Hub and Palpung Maitri House in Brynmawr are creating welcoming spaces where people can connect, make friends and feel part of their communities.
At a time when loneliness can be heightened by financial pressures, poor health, caring responsibilities or disability, the hubs provide regular social contact and a sense of belonging for people of all ages.
At Ebenezer Baptist Church in Abertillery, the warm hub has developed into a place of stability, support and hope. Volunteers have seen people who were initially anxious or withdrawn become more confident and engaged, while newcomers to the area and people new to the UK have found a welcoming environment where they can relax, socialise and feel valued.
Elsewhere, friendships formed through the projects have extended beyond the hubs themselves. At Men’s Shed BG, two women who met through the warm hub became close friends and now regularly visit one another at home.
Tyleri Transition has used a range of activities including baking sessions, creative workshops, Welsh language learning and seasonal events to bring people together. Organisers say the activities provide more than entertainment, creating opportunities for conversation, confidence building and lasting friendships.
The hubs also offer valuable support for older people living alone, individuals with learning difficulties and families facing financial challenges by providing companionship alongside practical assistance.
Ebbw Fach Community Group has seen attendees develop new friendships and support networks, while participants at Palpung Maitri House in Brynmawr say the project gives them routine, companionship and something positive to look forward to each week.
Meanwhile, the Tredegar Workmen’s Medical Aid Heritage Centre Warm Hub has helped reduce loneliness by creating a welcoming environment where people can meet, chat and take part in shared activities. The project has brought together older residents, families and vulnerable people, helping them feel more supported, included and connected to their local community.
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council supports warm hubs across the county borough by administering Welsh Government warm space funding. The annual fund provides financial support to community projects, with a total of £60,940 awarded during the 2025/26 funding round.
Councillor Jules Gardner, Cabinet Member Adults and Communities commented:
“Projects such as these, show that combating loneliness is not about one single intervention. It’s about creating trusted community spaces where people can find solace & companionship, learn new skills, join in, feel safe, and be part of something bigger than themselves.
“These groups and volunteers show the very best of Blaenau Gwent. They are not only providing practical support, but also helping people build new friendships, regain confidence, reduce detachment and feel part of their community again. At a time when too many people are experiencing loneliness and isolation, this work is making a real difference to people’s lives.”
