A new Community Café and Community Pantry has been opened at Pen-y-Cwm Special School & Ebbw Fawr Learning Community’s Primary Phase in Ebbw Vale.
The café and pantry was officially launched by the MP for Blaenau Gwent, Nick Smith.
This is a joint venture between the two schools who share a site. The Community Café will be run by post-16 pupils from Pen-y-Cwm, who will be serving teas, coffees and refreshments. This will provide valuable work experience to pupils and also a welcoming space for parents and the wider community to pop in.
The aim of the Community Pantry is, like a foodbank, to provide food to families in both schools at times when it is needed. Ebbw Fawr Primary Phase’s Heddlu Bach are taking the lead on organising and stocking the community pantry.
Head of Primary at Ebbw Fawr Primary Phase, Carys Llewellyn, says:
“Pen Y Cwm and Ebbw Fawr are really excited to be working together and collaborating on these joint projects. The decision to include the words community in the names of both the pantry and café are a very deliberate choice as we hope that both of these facilities will be an asset and resource that can be used to support our school communities and the wider community in Ebbw Vale.”
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Headteacher at Pen-y-Cwm School, Deborah Herald added:
“We would like to thank all the staff who have led with organising and setting up both the café and food pantry. We would also like to thank Ron Skinner and sons, Tesco and the Principality for their generous donations as well as Blaenau Gwent Catering for their support.”
Blaenau Gwent Council’s Cabinet Member for People & Education, Cllr Sue Edmunds says:
“Wow, what a fantastic project this is! It’s providing pupils with real life work experience and responsibility, connecting with the local community and also helping those families in need during these difficult financial times.
“Well done and good luck all.”
The café will be open to members of the public on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9am and 11am.
