Something incredible is happening in Bonymaen.
Faith in Families Swansea has secured £248,975 from the Welsh Government’s Health and Social Care Integration and Rebalancing Capital Fund (IRCF) to develop the next phase of its Bonymaen Community Cwtch project — a huge step toward creating an Integrated Health and Wellbeing Hub for the community.
This funding allows the team to move forward with detailed architectural designs, full planning, and the business case for the £3.8 million redevelopment. It’s a clear sign of belief in both the vision and the community it serves.
Bonymaen Community Cwtch
Bonymaen Community Cwtch has been at the heart of local life — a small but passionate team offering playgroups, after-school clubs, adult learning, and family support. From one-to-one help at home to sessions for children with additional needs, the Cwtch has always been about one thing: helping families build brighter futures.
It’s about creating a space where families, professionals, and residents can connect, access support, and truly thrive.
The journey began in 2021, when Morgans Hotel and Swansea.com came together to host an incredible fundraising dinner in support of the project. Local businesses, partners, and supporters joined forces to raise awareness and kickstart the vision for St Margaret’s, proving just how much Swansea believes in Bonymaen and the families who call it home.
Chief Executive Cherrie Bija said:
“When we first started this project back in 2021, with the support of an incredible fundraising dinner at Morgans Hotel sponsored by Swansea.com, guests were appalled to learn that 18% of children in our city — our children — were living in poverty. That figure has now shamefully risen to 31%. Our projects are teaching children to be resilient, to find personal tools to live in adversity — and that’s appalling in itself. We want children to be children, not to worry about hunger, cold, or missing out. This project gives hope back to the Eastside of Swansea — showing that our city cares, that Swansea City stands together, and that we will create a place where all children can live, grow, work, and play.”
The new development builds on that legacy, creating a permanent home that co-locates health, care, and community partners — strengthening the foundations of community life across Swansea and putting people at the heart of service design.
The Church in Wales has been a vital partner throughout the journey, recognising the potential of the former St Margaret’s Church to once again serve the community it was built for. Their support and shared vision have made it possible for Faith in Families to reimagine the space — transforming it from a place of worship into a vibrant hub of hope, belonging, and opportunity for families across Bonymaen.
Cherrie added:
“This is an incredible moment for us all — a huge step forward for Bonymaen, Faith in Families, and the communities we serve. This milestone is not just about a successful application; it’s about partnership, determination, and a shared belief in what we can achieve together. Child poverty is everyone’s business — government, charity, and community alike. No single sector or group can solve it alone. But together, we can — and we will — make a difference for our children, all of them.”
Faith in Families is now working to an ambitious timescale to complete the full business case and secure £3.8 million in design approval before the Welsh Government election period.
