A big hug for Swansea Bay, one million times over
The Cwtch Mawr Multibank Swansea, led by Faith in Families, has just hit a remarkable milestone. One million essential items shared with families across Swansea Bay. It’s a moment worth celebrating, not just for the numbers, but for what they represent: care, dignity and community strength.
Beyond Donations: Building Dignity and Sustainability
This is about more than donations, it’s about sustainability and dignity.
Cwtch Mawr has already kept in circulation approximately 1,000 tonnes of useful products from use, giving them a new purpose as everyday essentials that bring comfort and stability to homes across Swansea Bay.
What started as a simple idea, connecting surplus with need has become a citywide network that keeps families afloat and strengthens frontline services.
Cherrie Bija, Chief Executive of Faith in Families, said:
“One million essential items means one million acts of dignity. Each one represents a moment when someone didn’t have to choose between food or soap, rent or shoes. That’s the real impact, choice, confidence, and the message that no one is alone.”
What It Means to Our Partners
For Swansea’s frontline organisations, Cwtch Mawr has become an anchor. A place where help is practical, immediate and full of care. Cwtch Mawr works with 127 partner organisations across Swansea Bay (as of 30 October 2025), collecting toiletries, cleaning products, baby supplies, and clothing to support people facing crisis or hardship.
Viv Price from Futures Without Borders shared:
“My experience with Cwtch Mawr has been absolutely outstanding. The staff are so friendly and helpful, nothing is ever too much. When I fill the car, they’re chatting and laughing with me. It’s a real community space that lifts your day as much as it helps your service users.”
Rebecca Bisengimana from Femme Fervante said:
“Cwtch Mawr is a lifeline for our community. Essentials like deodorant, toilet rolls, lotion and toothpaste may sound small, but they change lives. They help people walk out the door with confidence again.”
Carol Hancox-Williams from POBL added:
“One mum with two disabled sons told us it made a huge difference; she could finally afford her bills without worrying about shoes or clothing. These aren’t luxuries, they’re essentials, and they help families breathe again.”
Myriam Magnus N’Gossema from Renew Mind CIC said:
“We see the joy when families open a box from Cwtch Mawr. It’s the little things that matter. A clean towel, a new jumper, or toothpaste. It shows people that someone cares, that they haven’t been forgotten.”
Sally Powell from Swansea Council Housing Support explained:
“It’s a massive help. When people receive what they need, it frees up money for food or fuel. It reduces stress and gives families back some control.”
Schools are seeing the difference too. At Christchurch Primary School, pupils now look forward to the Cwtch Mawr van arriving, running to the gates to help unload boxes of stationery, clothing, and water bottles for every child.
“The children love it, they know it means something good is happening. It’s teaching them about kindness and community in a very real way.”
A Network that Lifts Swansea Bay | Cwtch Mawr Multibank Swansea
The Cwtch Mawr Multibank Swansea doesn’t just distribute goods, it strengthens the fabric of community life. Partner organisations say it helps them do their jobs better, reach more people, and focus their limited funding where it’s needed most.
One foodbank partner summed it up:
“Being able to collect items from Cwtch Mawr means we can spend our funds on food instead. It’s practical help that multiplies our impact.”
Another local support worker said:
“Turning up with free items changes the relationship. You start with help, not assessment. It builds trust, which means we can offer more meaningful support.” Even the warehouse itself has become a symbol of collaboration, where volunteers, drivers, and staff from Amazon join Faith in Families to make sure the system runs smoothly.
Cwtch Mawr Multibank Swansea
Even the warehouse itself has become a symbol of collaboration, where volunteers, drivers, and staff from Amazon join Faith in Families to make sure the system runs smoothly.
Jonathan Waite, Facility and Development Manager, Faith in Families, said:
“It’s teamwork in action. Every referral, every van load is part of a chain of kindness that starts with a business and ends with a family. One million items might sound big, but when you see who they reach, you realise how much it matters.” “Too many parents are still choosing between food and toiletries. One million items reflects the hard work of a dedicated team and volunteers who keep essential items moving where they are needed most. A special thank you to our staff, volunteers and supporters who made this milestone possible.”
Cwtch Mawr is part of the Multibank UK model, founded by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Amazon UK, but it’s driven and delivered by Faith in Families, rooted in Swansea and powered by local people.
Gordon Brown, The Multibank charity president said,
“I want to congratulate Faith in Families and their staff at Cwtch Mawr Multibank for their remarkable achievement in reaching this million product milestone in service of families in Wales. Diolch yn fawr iawn.”
John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon, said:
“Amazon helped set up the Multibank model because we knew donating surplus products to families in need could change lives. Seeing Cwtch Mawr reach one million items so quickly is proof of that vision in action. Through our donations, funding and expertise, we’re proud to help build a practical, sustainable solution that’s transforming communities.”
Looking Ahead
Cwtch Mawr’s success is sparking conversations about the future, from expanding the donor base to developing new ways of reaching families quickly and sustainably.
As Cherrie Bija says,
“It’s called Cwtch Mawr for a reason, it’s one big hug for Swansea, and it keeps growing.”
- Environmental method: we estimate “tonnes kept in circulation” using a conservative 1 kg per item
- Partner organisations as of 30 October 2025: 127
- Partner organisations in first operating year: 116
Call to Action
If you’re a business with surplus stock or a community group that wants to get involved, please contact cwtchmawr@faithinfamilies.wales
Together, we can keep turning surplus into support and make every act of kindness count.
