On Monday 10th May at 10:30am, a delegation of trustees from The Parish Trust, staff members, and local councillors and dignitaries attended the grand opening ceremony of The Caffi Caredig.
The Caffi Caredig (Welsh for “Kind Cafe”) is a not-for-profit coffee and snack bar run by The Parish Trust – a registered charity founded on Christian principles with a mission to make a positive difference. The mobile snack bar aims to be as ethical as it can be, striving to reduce food waste, cut down on plastic, and ensure that proceeds go to the work of helping others. Offering a variety of hot and cold drinks as well as sweet treats and savoury items, the Caffi Caredig has been situated at The Parish Trust building to serve the local community.
Despite the poor weather conditions, the opening ceremony went ahead with the Reverend Dean Aaron Roberts, Chair of Trustees, thanking all those who had supported the charity in the planning and implementation of this exciting project. He then proceeded to cut the ribbon to officially mark the start of the trading activities of Caffi Caredig.
It is anticipated that the Caffi Caredig will be used to “host” other events and services on offer at The Parish Trust as well as being run commercially on a not-for-profit basis. The charity is currently developing a suite of courses and support groups which aim to tackle the issues and challenges facing people today, including the hurdles of life following the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Utilising the Caffi in this dual manner will enable The Parish Trust to continue its charitable work of sowing faith, sharing hope, and showing love in the community. Rev. Dean said of the opening,
Today marks a pivotal moment in the life of The Parish Trust. I’m so excited to see the Caffi Caredig open, and I am looking forward to being a regular customer there! In such a challenging time for the voluntary sector, what has been achieved here today is the result of the hard work and determination of so many and it is wonderful to see. We have been supported tremendously by our local Council, as well as all the grant funders who provided the funds to make this dream a reality. Once again, I am proud to be the Chair of Trustees for an organisation that is making a tangible difference in people’s lives, and I am honoured to serve alongside such a fantastic team of Trustees and Staff. May God bless the endeavours of the Caffi Caredig, and may it be a catalyst for furthering our reach to care and support our communities.
The Caffi Caredig is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30am until 4:30pm, with outdoor seating available for those wanting to stay. Staff working the Caffi are currently enrolled with the charity’s Profectus Programme, which gives people opportunities to learn skills and develop their career. More details about the Caffi Caredig and its work can be found on its dedicated web page.
Photo Credits: Lowri Thompson
