Every penny helps

The cost-of-living crisis is putting Plant Dewi projects at risk, as manager Catrin Eldred explains

Plant Dewi staff and volunteers’ aim in 2024 is to bring hope to more families living in the diocese. Every week, hundreds of families access a family group or centre, and it is our goal to ensure that they have somewhere to turn to celebrate the good times and to receive support in the challenging times.

Our family groups and centres receive funding from a range of sources, including local authority contracts, grant-making bodies and fundraising from the public. This enables us to continue to provide services in those communities where they are needed the most.

However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure funding - there is less money available from funders and the cost of projects are higher due to the cost-of-living crisis - this at a time when demand is increasing more than ever. Statistics show that around 30% of children in our diocese are living in poverty and more than 80% of these are in working families.

We are parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbours and friends to young children, and to know that not all have the same great opportunities or life chances is devastating. Plant Dewi projects are there for families to who need a warm and welcoming place to go, a listening ear, support and sometimes to be signposted to other services and to have their hand held whenever it is needed. Without these community-based groups and centres, many families would have nowhere to go.

We are blessed to live and work in a diocese where there is so much support for Plant Dewi. We work closely with many churches and groups far and wide who fundraise for us, who raise awareness of our work and who volunteer with us. Without this, we could not carry out the work we do in supporting families in need.

As spring approaches during the Year of Salt and Light in our diocese, please get in touch to find out how you too can support the work of Plant Dewi to ensure our vital services continue for children, young people and their families. Telephone - 01267 221551, email – info@plantdewi.co.uk or visit our website – www.plantdewi.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.