Linking Lives Cymru Social Connection Small Grant recipients announced

Swansea City of Sanctuary

In 2010, Swansea became the UK’s second Sanctuary City, and the first in Wales, working to build a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for individuals seeking sanctuary from war and persecution.

Its Linking Lives Cymru project aims to reduce social isolation among asylum seekers and refugees by creating free, inclusive, creative and social events that bring them together with residents in safe, relaxed environments.

The project will deliver creative community events across a wide range of activities – including a regular, free choir for refugees and asylum seekers – in partnership with churches across the city, and their volunteers will receive training in supporting people who are socially isolated.

Bro Eryri Ministry Area

St Helen’s Church in Penisarwaun noticed new people from a much wider area attending its weekly drop-ins for conversation, including people who had been bereaved and feeling the need for warm company. Surprised by the level of loneliness in this largely post-industrial and rural area – and the ease with which people ‘disappear’ – and convinced that there are many more people in the area who would benefit from their support, they plan look to expand their reach and promote their service

They also plan to explore the possibility of offering phone support and other ways of connecting people in the area.

Merthyr Tydfil Salvation Army

Currently hosting Wednesday morning drop-ins for homeless, temporarily housed, lonely and special needs people, Merthyr Tydfil Salvation Army offers a warm, friendly place for social connection.

Many of the regular visitors to these drop-ins experience loneliness and this project, as well as helping to expand what is currently offered, will channel additional training and resources to volunteers so that they can better meet the needs of these guests and reach out to others not currently using the service.

St John’s Methodist Church, Bangor

The Church runs a range of activities with the aim of helping people who are, or are likely to be, isolated or lonely, from fortnightly warm space lunches to friendship meals after church every Sunday; this project will expand this work into new areas of activity.

In particular, St John’s seeks to offer more intentional support for international students at Bangor University and their families. The project will train a group of volunteers who will be available after Sunday services to talk to people who need this connection. It will also train church members to be available for conversations with passers-by, developing a welcome space with benches and planters where people can come and talk and be listened to.

The Gathering Place, St Athan

The Gathering Place is a Methodist church and community centre in St Athan running a range of services and activities for the community, mostly through volunteers and congregation members.

There is a need for activities for the older generation in the area, and living in a low-income area, with less-than-ideal public transport links, means that they are finding it hard to travel to locations in towns and cities nearby.

The project will restart a previously successful luncheon club for the elderly residents living in the rural areas surrounding the church, with a target of 25-30 participants who can build friendships with each other over food and activities.