With the support of the occupational therapy team, they accessed a volunteering website which advertises volunteering positions. There were lots of opportunities in the local area, however the ladies felt they had a lot to offer a local food bank and community café.
“It makes us feel good that we can be part of the community.”
Service User
The community café is based in a church hall in Argoed. The ladies have been going there every week on a Wednesday morning to work with other volunteers. Many people visit there from the local community as well as those passing through walking on the popular Taff Trail.
The volunteers there are very friendly and welcoming. The ladies from Cygnet St Teilo House help by clearing tables, washing dishes and talking to the people who access the café. The café suggested that the ladies study for food hygiene certificates so that they are able to help with food preparation and serving. This is something that the ladies were delighted to do, they completed their courses online and have now been able to put their new skills into practice at the café.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to put on our CVs as well as develop our confidence in meeting new people and a taste of the working environment.”
Service User
Our Community Links
Cygnet St Teilo House is a rural retreat that still maintains good links with the local community and access to nearby Merthyr Tydfil. In addition, the service is well positioned for bus, rail and road links to Cardiff and other major towns in South Wales.
Cygnet St Teilo House has built up a number of strong links within the local community that service users can access including
- GAVO (Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisation)
- Animal Encounters
- Cycling facilities at Bryn Bach Park
- Easy access to the Brecon Beacons National Park
- Numeral local libraries and community centres, providing IT and Language courses
- Blaina Institute (learning activity centre)
- Merthyr leisure centre
- Job Centre Plus
- Bryn Bach Parc
- Public transport links
- Local community shops and supermarkets
- Local college courses in Mathematics and English
- Building relationships with local services/charities such as MIND that provide workshops and courses including Gored Accredited courses such as confidence building, stress management and mental health awareness
- Volunteering opportunities within community café and local food bank
- Local social and craft groups such as ‘Knit & Natter’
- Local activities such as horse riding centre and rock climbing
