The event was hosted and facilitated by The Parish Trust’s Chief Executive, Rev. Dean Aaron Roberts, and was designed deliberately as a working session to kickstart change within the third sector in Caerphilly.

Organisations were invited to look honestly at the current picture of support across the borough: what is already working well, where there are gaps, where organisations may be duplicating effort, and where greater collaboration could help limited charitable resources go further.

A particular focus of the day was food aid and emergency food support.

Participants explored how food provision currently operates across different communities, including the different ways people access support, geographical coverage, referral arrangements and the challenges organisations face in meeting increasing levels of need.

One of the key outcomes from the event was agreement to take forward plans for a new alliance of organisations involved in food aid and related support across the borough.

The intention is not to replace the individual organisations already doing important work in their communities. Instead, the alliance will provide a way for organisations to communicate more effectively, understand what provision is available across the borough and identify opportunities to work together.

Among the areas the group will now explore are how organisations can make the best use of available food and resources, improve knowledge of provision across the borough, identify gaps in support and develop practical ways of sharing information and working collaboratively.

There was also discussion about the potential for organisations to undertake shared projects where working collectively could achieve more than organisations working independently.

The longer-term aim is simple: to make the food and resources already available within the voluntary and community sector go further, while making it easier for people experiencing hardship to find appropriate support.

Further work will now take place to develop the alliance, its structure and the practical systems that could support collaboration between participating organisations. A working party is being established over the next month, which will become the founding organisations of the new alliance.

Rev. Dean Aaron Roberts, Chief Executive of The Parish Trust, who hosted and facilitated the event, said:

“The whole reason we called this event ‘Less Talk, More Action’ was because we did not want to create another talking shop. There are some brilliant organisations working incredibly hard across our borough, but we know that we can achieve more when we understand what each other is doing and find practical ways of working together.

Food aid is an obvious place to start. Every organisation has limited resources, so if we can collaborate better, share information, understand where the gaps are and find ways of making the food and resources available to us go further, that has to be better for the people we are all here to serve.

Whilst we were hoping for more organisations to attend, what was particularly encouraging today was that there was a genuine appetite from those present to do something together, and they are the obvious organisations to partner with initially. We have agreed to take forward the idea of an alliance around food support, but we also want to look beyond that at shared projects and other practical ways the third sector can collaborate across Caerphilly County Borough.

Today was the conversation. What matters now is what we do next.”

The Parish Trust will now work with participating organisations to take forward the ideas agreed during the session and develop the next steps for the proposed alliance.

The Parish Trust has suffered another break-in over the last week, at the warehouse where supplies for our Baby & Maternity Bank are stored.

We are appalled that items intended for babies and young children have been stolen, including car seats, baby wipes and other essential supplies.

These are not goods sitting in storage. They have been donated by generous members of our community so that families facing hardship can access the basic items they need to care safely for their children.

To steal from a Baby Bank is, ultimately, to take from babies and families who are already struggling.

There is something particularly shameful about taking items which have been given freely and compassionately for the benefit of some of the most vulnerable people in our community, simply for personal gain.

Our staff and volunteers work incredibly hard to make sure that families in crisis can receive practical help when they need it. Putting things right because of these selfish acts diverts precious resources away from that work.

But we will not allow this to diminish what The Parish Trust does.

We are asking our community to respond to this act of selfishness with generosity.

If you are angry that essential supplies intended for babies have been stolen, please help us replace what has been taken and ensure that our Baby & Maternity Bank remains able to support local families.

Donate at: https://theparishtrust.org.uk/donate

Every donation, however small, will help us restock essential supplies and continue supporting families when they need us most.

If you are unable to donate, please share this statement widely.

Someone has chosen to take from a service established to support babies and families in need. We hope our community will choose to give back.

The programme will be led by Megan Roberts, who has been appointed Early Years Programme Manager, bringing together and developing The Parish Trust’s growing work with babies, young children and their families.

The name Plant has a deliberate double meaning. Plant is the Welsh word for children, while the programme itself is about planting strong foundations in the earliest stages of life, helping children and their families to grow and flourish.

Plant has been developed as a preventative early-years programme, with particular emphasis on the first 1,001 days, recognising the importance of parental wellbeing, attachment, physical health, social support and early intervention during pregnancy and infancy.

Root. Grow. Flower.

Activities delivered through Plant will sit beneath three interconnected programme strands:

Root: emotional wellbeing
Root will focus on the foundations of early relationships, including activities such as baby massage, rhyme and story sessions, bonding, attachment, early communication and building parental confidence.

Grow: physical wellbeing and development
Grow will support healthy development through activities including antenatal and postnatal wellbeing and fitness, toddler movement, messy and sensory play, healthy routines and opportunities for children to learn through movement and play.

Flower: community and connection
Flower will help families build the relationships around them, creating a supported journey from pregnancy into parenthood through antenatal meet-ups, postnatal support, stay-and-play opportunities and shared milestones. Its aim is to reduce isolation and help lasting friendships and informal support networks to develop.

Rather than creating another stand-alone service, Plant is intended to become an early-years pathway running through The Parish Trust’s wider work.

A particularly important connection will be with The Parish Trust Baby Bank, which was established in 2025 to provide essential items to families experiencing financial hardship during pregnancy and early parenthood.

During its first year, the Baby Bank supported 411 family referrals, backed by 1,255 hours of volunteer time, with referrals received from professionals including midwives, health visitors, social services, schools and community organisations.

Plant will enable the charity to go further. A family who first comes into contact with The Parish Trust because they urgently need a pram, cot, clothing or other essential items could also be offered opportunities for longer-term support, friendship, wellbeing and early-years development.

The intention is to create a journey from immediate practical help towards stability, confidence, connection and resilience.

Initial funding towards the development of the programme has been secured from BBC Children in Need, with further funding currently pending to enable The Parish Trust to significantly expand Plant and increasingly dovetail early-years support into its other services and referral pathways.

Plant will be based primarily at the charity’s Trethomas Life Centre, while working closely with health visitors, midwives, social workers, schools, social prescribing services and other statutory and voluntary-sector partners. The wider vision is for Plant to act as a trusted, locally embedded point of connection for early-years families across the community.

Dean Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of The Parish Trust, said:

“For a long time we have been helping families when something has already gone wrong such as when there isn’t enough food in the house, when a family cannot afford the things their baby needs, when somebody is isolated, overwhelmed or simply doesn’t know where to turn.

“Plant is about asking what happens if we can get alongside families earlier.

“Those first years matter enormously. If we can help a parent feel less alone, strengthen the bond between parent and baby, build confidence, create friendships and connect a family with support before a problem becomes a crisis, that can make a difference far beyond one session or one programme.

“I also love that Plant isn’t intended to become another little project sitting in isolation. The vision is that early years becomes part of the DNA of The Parish Trust. The Baby Bank might be somebody’s first doorway into the charity, but through Root, Grow and Flower we want there to be a whole journey of support around that family.

“We are enormously grateful to BBC Children in Need for helping us begin that journey. We now have further funding pending which, if successful, will allow us to build something much more substantial and connect Plant into the wider range of services The Parish Trust already provides.”

Megan Roberts, Early Years Programme Manager, said:

“The earliest years of a child’s life are such an important time, but they can also be some of the most demanding years for parents. People don’t always need a formal intervention. Sometimes they need good information, encouragement, somewhere welcoming to go and people around them who understand what life is like at that stage.

“That is what I want Plant to feel like. Root is about helping parents and babies build those really important early connections; Grow is about movement, development and wellbeing; and Flower is about the relationships and community around a family which help them thrive.

“What makes this particularly special is the opportunity to link it with the Baby Bank and the wider work of The Parish Trust. We can respond to practical need while also creating opportunities for families to build confidence, friendships and support networks for the future.

“I’m really looking forward to listening to families, working alongside local professionals and developing Plant into something that families feel belongs to them.”

The Parish Trust expects Plant to develop progressively as additional funding is secured, with a mixture of group programmes, specialist sessions, peer support and partnership activity.

The charity’s longer-term ambition is for the programme to contribute to improved parental wellbeing, stronger parent–infant relationships, reduced isolation, greater confidence and earlier access to support for families who need it.

Plant will start to roll out its offering over the coming months, details of which will be shared on our social media accounts, website, and via our referral partners.

That is why we are introducing the Help Hub.

The Help Hub is a new online system designed to make it easier for service users to ask for help, easier for referral partners to make referrals, and easier for our team to process requests safely, accurately and efficiently.

Why are we introducing the Help Hub?

At the moment, service users often have to fill in a form every time they need support. This means repeating the same information again and again, even when their details have not changed. When someone is referred to us, they may also be given a referral number to remember, which can make things more confusing than they need to be.

Referral partners face similar challenges. They often have to complete a new form each time they refer someone, repeating organisational and service user information. For larger organisations, it can also be difficult to know who is already registered with The Parish Trust, who has access, and who is authorised to make referrals.

Behind the scenes, although some of our processes are already online, much of our work still relies on manual checks, manual updates and manual communication. As demand grows, this places pressure on our team and can slow down the support we are trying to provide.

The Help Hub changes this.

What this means for service users

The Help Hub will allow service users to register once and keep their details up to date. This will make future requests simpler, quicker and clearer.

Service users will also receive a unique H Number, helping us identify their household more easily and process requests more accurately. Instead of repeatedly filling in the same information, service users will be able to use their Help Hub account when accessing support in the future.

This should make the process of asking for help more dignified, less repetitive and easier to manage.

Service users can register here

What this means for referral partners

The Help Hub will also improve the way referral partners work with The Parish Trust.

Referral partners will be able to register their organisation, and once approved, make and manage referrals through a clearer online process. Larger organisations will also be able to manage approved team members, making it easier to know who is registered and who is authorised to refer.

This will reduce repeated information, improve accuracy, and help us process referrals more efficiently.

Referral partners can register here

What happens next?

The Help Hub is part of an important transition for The Parish Trust. We are now asking service users and referral partners to register so that accounts can be prepared ahead of the full rollout.

Registering does not immediately replace our current request or referral process. Until we tell you otherwise, service users and referral partners should continue using the existing process for requesting support or making referrals.

A better system for a growing need

The Parish Trust exists to bring practical help, hope and support to people in our communities. As the needs around us grow, we need systems that help us respond well.

The Help Hub will help us reduce duplication, improve communication, strengthen our records and make the experience better for everyone involved. Most importantly, it will help our team spend less time on repeated administration and more time supporting people.

This is a significant step forward for The Parish Trust, but our heart remains the same: to help people when they need it most, so that they may come to know life in all its fulness.

The funding, awarded through the Gwent High Sheriffs’ Community Fund in partnership with Community Foundation Wales and the Office of the Gwent Police & Crime Commissioner, will support the development of a structured, peer-based programme for young people who have experienced loss.

The award follows a competitive participatory funding event held at Llanhilleth Miners Institute, where community organisations presented their work and future plans, with funding decisions informed by peer voting. The Parish Trust was one of only two organisations to receive multi-year funding, recognising both the need for bereavement support among young people and the charity’s track record of delivering community-based services.

Over the next three years, The Parish Trust will design and pilot a youth bereavement course aimed at providing safe, accessible spaces for young people to explore grief, understand their experiences, and support one another. The programme will be based at the Trethomas Life Centre, with the potential to extend its reach more widely across the region.

The initiative builds on The Parish Trust’s bereavement support for adults, and its broader work supporting families and young people, including its Baby Bank, toddler groups, youth provision, and holiday activities. The new programme reflects a growing recognition that bereavement, while a universal human experience, often lacks accessible and appropriate support for younger age groups.

Rev. Dean Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of The Parish Trust, said:

“Multi-year funding gives us the space to begin this work properly. As we design and pilot our youth bereavement programme, it allows us to take a thoughtful, measured approach, listening carefully to young people and learning what genuinely helps. Over the next three years, it will help us build a small but meaningful provision for young people in our community, so that those experiencing loss know they are not alone and have somewhere to turn.”

The funding will enable the charity to take a measured and evidence-informed approach, ensuring the programme is shaped by the needs and experiences of young people themselves. It is expected that insights from the pilot will inform future development and potential expansion of bereavement support provision.

The Parish Trust has expressed its gratitude to the funders and partners involved, including the Gwent Nurture Trust, highlighting the importance of long-term investment in enabling sustainable, community-led solutions to complex challenges.

The programme is expected to begin its initial development phase later this year.

We are thrilled to introduce our Youth and Children’s Team, led by Michelle Killey, who is stepping into the role of Acting Youth and Children’s Programme Manager. Alongside Michelle are Lucy, Sara, Stacey, and Ali, each bringing their own experience, care, and passion for working with children and young people.

Michelle, who is leading the programme, said: “I am passionate and committed to supporting The Parish Trust in its mission to provide a thriving and welcoming space for children and youth in the community at the purpose built Trethomas Life Centre.”

At the Heart of Our Work

Children and young people are central to everything we do at The Parish Trust. From supporting families through our Baby Bank, to welcoming little ones at our toddler groups, to providing engaging activities during school holidays, and creating spaces for young people to belong through our youth provision, this work runs right through the life of the charity.

It does not stop there. We are also committed to creating opportunities for young people to grow into leadership, offering volunteering and training pathways that help build confidence, skills, and a sense of purpose. Our aim is simple but significant: to walk alongside children and young people at every stage and to create environments where they can flourish.

Why This Matters

A strong youth and children’s programme has a lasting impact on the whole community. It offers safe and consistent spaces where young people can build friendships, be supported by trusted adults, and develop resilience for the challenges they face. It strengthens families, reduces isolation, and helps shape a more hopeful future.

Having a dedicated team in place means this work can be delivered with care, consistency, and intentionality. It allows relationships to grow, trust to be built, and every child to be known as an individual.

Relaunching This Easter

We are excited to announce that our Youth Club will officially relaunch on Friday 17th April 2026. This marks an important moment as we begin this new chapter together.

Before then, there will be a range of activities taking place throughout the Easter holidays, offering something for children and young people of different ages to enjoy. Full details of all upcoming events can be found on our website: https://theparishtrust.org.uk/calendar.

Made Possible Through Partnership

This next phase of our youth and children’s work has been made possible thanks to generous funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner. Their support enables us to invest in young people, provide safe and structured opportunities, and build a programme that will have a meaningful and lasting impact across the community. We are deeply grateful for their partnership.

Meet the Team

Speaking about the relaunch, members of the team shared their excitement for what lies ahead.

Lucy said:

“I have a passion for early years and bring ideas and play from my teaching background, as well as a warm and welcoming space for parents and carers. With 3 young children of my own (2 of whom come to Tots with me), I know the difference a friendly chat and a cup of coffee can make to your day.”

Sara reflected:

“I am a dedicated mother of two with an early years education background and some recent training about caring for vulnerable children and restorative approaches in school settings. I am enthusiastic and passionate about education in the vast sense of the word, as I believe the most important part in working with children and youth is helping them to find their voice and their path in life”.

Stacey added:

“I’m Stacey  and I’m here to help make sure that youth club is centred around our young people. My vision is to give our children and young people a real voice in what we do here. We’re going to focus on two things; Being bold and being kind. I believe that the best way to help yourself grow is by stepping up for others. Whether you’re here to learn something new or just hang out, we’re going to make sure that by helping the group you’re becoming the best version of yourself.”

and Ali shared:

“I have worked a range of jobs from estate agency to gardening while always volunteering for youth work through scouts and other youth clubs. After a year of traveling and working in Australia I came back to the UK and realised my calling to youth work. I now work in a children’s care home along with The Parish Trust. In my spare time I like outdoor activities such as hiking and gardening, watching movies and playing music.” 

Dean Aaron Roberts, CEO of The Parish Trust, said:

“Children and young people are at the very centre of our vision. We want every child to know that they matter, to be supported well, and to have the opportunity to flourish. It is a real joy to see this work begin again with such a strong and committed team, and we are excited about the difference it will make in the lives of young people across our community.”

Be Part of the Story

As we look ahead, we would love more people to be part of this journey. Whether through volunteering, partnering with us, or supporting financially, there are many ways to help us continue and grow this vital work.

If you would like to support The Parish Trust, you can find out more here: https://theparishtrust.org.uk/donate

Nerys has played a pivotal role in the development and growth of the CARE Project, which provides vital food support and community care to individuals and families across the Caerphilly Basin. During her time in post, she has not only led the project with dedication and compassion, but has also gone above and beyond spearheading food drives, organising raffles and community fêtes, attending networking events, and building strong relationships that have significantly strengthened the reach and impact of the charity’s work.

Her leadership has helped ensure that hundreds of people have been supported with dignity and care during times of need.

Speaking about her decision, Nerys said:

“I am so very grateful to all of you for your prayers, well wishes and friendship during my absence as well as your dedication in stepping up to help keep things going.

It is with great sadness that I now let you know that I won’t be resuming my role as the CARE Project Lead. Although my health is now very much improved, I need to continue to focus on my wellbeing in future.

It has been a real joy to get to know and work alongside each of you and I will cherish my time with you all. I want to thank everyone for the support you’ve given to Angharad, Adam and Ffion while I’ve been recovering and I have no doubt you will extend this kindness and welcome to Helen, my successor.

I will temporarily be returning to help with the busy Easter season and to transition things so I very much hope to see you all in person during this period.”

Rev. Dean Aaron Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of The Parish Trust, said:

“Nerys has been an extraordinary member of our team and has shaped the CARE Project into what it is today. Her leadership, compassion, and tireless commitment to serving others have made a lasting impact not only on the project, but on our entire organisation and the community we serve.

We are deeply grateful for everything she has given, often going far beyond what was required, and we are genuinely saddened to see her step back from this role. While we will miss her greatly, we fully support her decision to prioritise her wellbeing and wish her every blessing for the future.”

The Parish Trust is pleased to confirm that Helen Burns will be stepping into the role of CARE Project Lead. A transition and handover period will take place over the coming weeks, with Nerys returning temporarily to support the team through the busy Easter period.

Helen said:

“I am really excited to be joining such an amazing, vibrant project delivering vital support to the community. I am looking forward to meeting you all as I learn the ropes of the role and continue Nerys’ great work with the CARE project.”

The Parish Trust extends its thanks to Nerys for her outstanding contribution and looks forward to continuing the work of the CARE Project under Helen’s leadership. We wish Nerys every blessing in whatever comes next for her.

Following the successful community-led refurbishment of the former Bryn Hall, Trethomas Life Centre reopened in August 2025 as a modern, accessible hub serving children, families, volunteers, and local residents across the Caerphilly area. While the building itself is now fully operational, the external grounds remain largely undeveloped.

This tender represents the final stage of our original vision: to create safe, inclusive, and restorative outdoor spaces that support wellbeing, play, and community connection.

About the Project

The project will transform the outdoor areas of Trethomas Life Centre into a high-quality wellbeing and community environment, including:

• A secure outdoor play and activity area for children and young people
• A landscaped wellbeing garden for reflection and nature-based activity
• The installation of a fully serviced wellbeing pod overlooking the garden
• Improved paths, access routes, and functional external zones across the site

The wellbeing pod will provide a private, comfortable setting for counselling, coaching, pastoral support, and other wellbeing appointments, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of the space.

While some soft landscaping elements may be donated by partner organisations, the core scope of works focuses on clearance, levelling, construction, hard landscaping, access routes, and full service connections to the wellbeing pod.

Programme

• Tender issue date: Monday 26 January 2026
• Tender return deadline: Thursday 12 February 2026 at 5:00pm
• Estimated start on site: March / April 2026

An indicative programme is required as part of the tender submission.

Who Should Apply

This opportunity will be of interest to contractors with experience in:

• Landscaping and external works
• Groundworks and hard landscaping
• Modular or purpose-built pod installation
• Community, wellbeing, or public-facing projects

A site visit is strongly encouraged.

How to Tender

Full tender documentation is available below. Submissions must be made electronically and include pricing, method statements, a proposed programme, and details of relevant experience.

Tender submissions should be sent to:
dean.roberts@theparishtrust.org.uk

Deadline: Thursday 12 February 2026 at 5:00pm

For site visits or queries, please contact:
Angharad Everson (Administrator)
office@theparishtrust.org.uk
02921 880 212

As I look back over the last 12 months at The Parish Trust, that feels deeply familiar. This year has been full. Full of hard work, long days, big decisions, unexpected challenges and moments where we’ve had to keep going even when we were tired. But it has also been full of people. Babies and parents finding support when they needed it most. Families fed with dignity. Young people given space to breathe. Those carrying grief reminded they are not alone. Volunteers turning up, again and again, quietly doing extraordinary things.

The Christmas story speaks straight into the heart of what we try to be as a charity. God choosing to enter the world in fragility, not power. Hope arriving not in a palace, but in a place of need. That shapes us. It reminds us that small acts matter, that presence matters, and that showing up with compassion can change lives.

As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with both realism and hope. We know the pressures on families, communities and charities are not going away. But we are committed to growing what we do sustainably, deepening our work with babies, children, young people and families, strengthening our wellbeing and bereavement support, and continuing to build spaces of care, connection and belonging across our community.

None of this happens on our own. If you have donated, volunteered, partnered with us, prayed for us, or simply cheered us on this year, I say “thank you”. You are part of this story and we are so glad of that!

This Christmas Day, my hope is that you find moments of peace, however your day looks, and that you know hope is not naïve or sentimental. It is resilient. It shows up. And it is still being born into the world.

“They will call him Emmanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23)

From all of us at The Parish Trust, Merry Christmas.

Esther has been a valued part of The Parish Trust’s team since 2023 and during her time with us, Esther has worn many hats and embraced every role with care, commitment, and enthusiasm. From leading Lunch Club, Barista Training for young people, and serving as our Meals for Families chef, to her work as the Tommy’s Tots lead and Youth and Children’s Worker, Esther has played an integral part in the day-to-day life of the charity. Her flexibility and willingness to step in wherever she was needed made her a valued member of our team.

Esther has also been a familiar and trusted presence at our special events, trips, and days out, helping to create safe, joyful, and memorable experiences for the children, young people, and families that we serve. Esther is someone many could rely on, often offering kindness, encouragement, and a listening ear whenever it was needed.

Reflecting on Esther’s contribution, Rev. Dean Aaron Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, said:

“Esther has supported a number of projects across The Parish Trust during her time with us and has been a reliable presence within the team as organisational needs changed. I am grateful for the contribution she has made to the work of the charity, particularly in roles that involved supporting children, young people, and families. On behalf of The Parish Trust, I wish her every success as she moves on to her next chapter. She will be missed by all of us, and in particular by the children and young people who she has forged such a strong relationship with over the years.”

While we are sad to see Esther move on, we are incredibly thankful for all that she has given to The Parish Trust and for the impact she has had on the lives of those she has supported. She will be missed by staff, volunteers, and the families we serve.

We wholeheartedly support Esther in her future endeavours and wish her every success in the next chapter of her life. We are excited for all that 2026 holds for her, including the joyful milestone of her upcoming wedding following her recent engagement.

Thank you for everything, Esther, and best wishes for the future.