Yesterday, pilot deliveries in Bridgend marked another important step for Faith in Families Cwtch Mawr Multibank, as the charity continues to reach families across Wales who are finding it harder to afford everyday essentials.
Working alongside Bridgend County Borough Council , Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO), The Welsh Government and Councillor Jane Gebbie, the pilot began delivering brand-new essential goods to local community and voluntary organisations. These include clothing, toiletries, nappies and household basics, which are then distributed locally through trusted partners already supporting people facing increasing hardship.
The first delivery day brought partners together at Y Bont in Bridgend. Colleagues from Bridgend County Borough Council and BAVO joined local organisations to mark the start of the pilot and support those involved in getting help to people quickly and with dignity.
Supporting communities through trusted local partners
Faith in Families Cwtch Mawr Multibank works by providing brand-new essentials through organisations that already know their communities well. Because of this, support reaches families quickly, practically and with dignity.
In Bridgend, pilot deliveries will take place on scheduled routes to named charity partners. From there, items are shared through existing services such as outreach work, family support and community programmes. This approach ensures support fits naturally into the help people are already receiving.
The Bridgend pilot begins with a select group of community and voluntary organisations. However, it has been designed as a learning phase, with the intention to expand the offer further during 2026.
Why pilot deliveries in Bridgend matter
While it is positive to see strong partnership working across Wales, the need behind pilot deliveries in Bridgend is sobering.
The cost-of-living crisis continues to deepen. Poverty is not easing. Instead, more families are finding it harder to cover the basics many people take for granted. For those already under pressure, one unexpected cost can tip everything out of balance.
As a result, the need for practical, immediate support has become more urgent, not less. Access to items like toiletries, nappies or warm clothing can make a real difference to a family’s week. Sometimes, it reduces stress. Other times, it prevents impossible choices.
That is where Faith in Families Cwtch Mawr Multibank steps in.
A model built on dignity and partnership
Jon Waite, Facilities and Development Manager at Faith in Families, explains why this work matters:
“We are really pleased to be working with BAVO, Bridgend County Borough Council and local partners to begin this pilot. However, it’s also important to be honest about why it’s needed. Families are struggling more, not less, and many are being pushed into impossible choices just to get by.Cwtch Mawr Multibank exists to make sure people can access essential items quickly and with dignity, through organisations they already trust. Reaching Bridgend is about standing alongside communities at a time when things are getting harder, and doing what we can, together, to help.”
Faith in Families Cwtch Mawr Multibank forms part of the wider Multibank UK network and works with donating businesses including Amazon. Together, they help redirect new surplus goods away from landfill and into communities where they are needed most.
Reaching further across Wales
Faith in Families is a Swansea-based charity supporting children, families and communities across Wales. Through early help, practical support and strong partnership working, the charity responds to immediate need while continuing to advocate for longer-term change.
As the pilot deliveries in Bridgend progress, learning from this phase will help shape how Faith in Families Cwtch Mawr Multibank continues to reach further across Wales. While it is deeply sad that this level of support is needed, the focus remains clear: standing alongside communities and making sure no one is left without the basics.
Find out more or get involved
If you’d like to learn more about Faith in Families Cwtch Mawr Multibank, explore partnership opportunities or support this work, you can find out more on our website or get in touch with the team.
Together, we can keep responding to need, while continuing to push for a fairer future.
