Thanks to the generous support of our grant funders, Caffi Caredig is ready to hit the streets and continue its vital role in generating income for The Parish Trust’s charitable work. Whilst being based at our current HQ in Trethomas, Caffi Caredig can also be fully mobile and towed to various events, which is something we are incredibly excited about and keen to explore in the future.

But that’s not all—we have some wonderful news to share. We are delighted to introduce you to Daria Znatkova, fondly known as Dasha, who will be leading the charge as the new operative of Caffi Caredig. Dasha, hailing from Ukraine, has recently joined our team and brings with her a wealth of experience and passion for coffee and community.

Dasha is part of a growing community of Ukrainians who have moved to Caerphilly County since the war, and we are humbled and privileged to play a small part in her journey of making Wales her new home. In the face of ongoing conflict, The Parish Trust stands with Dasha and other Ukrainians, offering our support, solidarity, and help to any who need it.

Having previously managed a coffee house in Ukraine, Dasha’s expertise and unique flair are sure to bring exciting changes to our menu. We can’t wait to see how she infuses her own style and influences into the offerings of Caffi Caredig. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that blends Welsh and Ukrainian flavours, creating a delightful fusion that will tantalise your taste buds.

In addition to showcasing Dasha’s talents, we are planning to organise a variety of events that will not only raise the profile of The Parish Trust but also serve as fundraisers for Ukraine. These events will provide an opportunity for our community to come together, enjoy delicious treats from Caffi Caredig, and contribute to a meaningful cause.

Finally, Dasha will also be joining forces with Carrie, our Youth & Children’s Engagement Worker, to provide meaningful training and work experience opportunities for young people, either as part of their volunteering work, or to help them with careers and other employment related support.

As we eagerly await Caffi Caredig’s reopening, we encourage you to stay connected with us through our website and social media channels. We will be sharing updates on the exact reopening date, upcoming events, and Dasha’s exciting menu creations. Make sure to mark your calendars and join us in celebrating the revival of Caffi Caredig!

Thank you for your unwavering support and for being an integral part of our journey. Together, we can make a difference and bring positive change to our community, one cup of coffee at a time.

Elys embarked upon a steep learning curve as he had to plan the opening and running of the Caffi Caredig, having had no prior experience of working in the role. A year later, he has successfully completed his Level Three Apprenticeship and even secured a Level 5 rating for the Caffi Caredig from Environmental Health, which is an amazing achievement.

The Parish Trust is grateful to those who have supported the Profectus Programme to enhance the training of our apprentices. Specifically related to Elys’ training, we’re grateful to Cadwaladers Ice Cream who supported a secondment for Elys to join their team in Cardiff Bay for a month to learn valuable skills in preparing food and drinks as well as learning the processes of running a successful food business.

Elys now moves to join the Risca COVID-19 Volunteers to work in a similar role as the work of their charity progresses from strength to strength. RCV are great friends of The Parish Trust, who often support us with our CARE Project work.

Rev. Dean, Chair of Trustees, said of Elys’ departure,

We are of course sad to see Elys leave the charity after his year’s apprenticeship with us. However, this is a natural ending for Elys, as the Profectus Programme is a year’s commitment to contributing towards the work of The Parish Trust whilst learning a particular skill. Elys has both achieved that skill, and has indeed contributed to the charity. We wish him well in the next chapter of his career and are grateful for all that he has brought to the charity. May God bless you, Elys, as you embark on the next stage of your journey!

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

The Caffi Caredig (Welsh for “Kind Cafe”) will be a mobile, not-for-profit coffee and snack bar. An ethical social enterprise, it will will reduce food waste, cut down on plastic, help the environment, and ensure that proceeds go to the work of helping others through the work of The Parish Trust.

An exciting menu will be offering customers a fine selection of proper, fairly traded and ethical coffee. The Caffi Caredig will be partnering with Manumit Coffee Roasters who offer dignity and hope to survivors of modern slavery through training & employment. Their coffee is roasted by men and women who have suffered horrendous exploitation at the hands of modern slave traders but are now rebuilding their lives.

In addition to amazing coffee, other hot and cold drinks will be available for purchase, as well as a plethora of sweet and savoury items. Some food to be used in the Caffi Caredig will be food that has been diverted away from landfill through the CARE Project, another project under the umbrella of The Parish Trust. The food will be perfectly edible to eat, but due to its short shelf life, food suppliers have to discard it due to the lead times involved in getting food from the warehouse to the supermarket.

Menus are currently being drawn up and will include hot foods such as jacket potatoes and paninis, as well as cakes and other pastry items. Sustainable and eco-friendly packaging will be used to further cut down on waste and damage to the environment.

This new project has also created training opportunities, and will hopefully provide further employment in the future as the Caffi Caredig develops. Elys Rees has been working with The Parish Trust to develop the Caffi Caredig, and is currently doing his Level 3 in Catering and Hospitality Apprenticeship with the charity through the Profectus Programme. Speaking about the launch of Caffi Caredig, he said,

“Well, the secret project has finally been revealed, now the public can share The Parish Trust’s eager wait for the opening of Caffi Caredig. There’s still some preparation work to be done but it will be well worth the wait, just you see!”

Speaking about the launch, Rev. Dean Aaron Roberts, the Chair of Trustees of The Parish Trust said,

“We are delighted that all the planning and preparation for this exciting project is finally coming to fruition. We’ve had lots of challenges along the way, not least the continuing lockdowns which have delayed the start of the project. Looking forward, the future is brighter and the Caffi Caredig will be an excellent asset to the charity as it seeks to carry out its aims and objectives. We are proud of all that has been achieved through what has been a significant year.

Now, as restrictions start to ease and society starts to explore post-lockdown life once again, we will be glad to offer a place for people to come and enjoy good, ethical food and drink at the heart of the community. We’re hoping that the Caffi Caredig will become a place for socialising, raising awareness of the charity and its aims, as well as being a host for various pop up activities that will enrich and benefit the general public.

We’re currently developing and planning some workshops and other informative and social events that will be run from the Caffi Caredig which we hope will be of interest and benefit to many. Of course, we are awaiting lockdowns and restrictions to ease enough for us to hold these events, but we are committed to doing as much as we can as soon as possible.

We’re also grateful to our Grant Funders who have believed in us and supported this project. Thanks go to the WCVA, United Welsh Housing Association, Moondance Foundation, Viridor, Community Foundation Wales, and Caerphilly County Borough Council for the investment they have made in us and the support they have shown throughout the planning stages. We couldn’t have done this without them.”

The Caffi Caredig will be based at The Parish Trust Headquarters, which is located at St. Thomas’ Church in Trethomas for the time being. However, in time the Caffi Caredig, built by British company, Revival Trailers will be able to go further afield. This will allow The Parish Trust to reach an even wider group of people for special events and festivals.

You can keep up to date with the progress of the project on our Facebook Page, or by following the dedicated Instagram account for the Caffi Caredig at @CaffiCaredig