Llantwit Food Project: Company, Community and Cuppas

15 May 2025

Over the past few weeks, we have been highlighting some of the different aspects of the Llantwit Food Project in Llantwit Major.

The Llantwit Food Project is an award-winning partnership project which seeks to increase community resilience, tackle the roots causes of food insecurity and reduce food waste.

This week, we want to shine a light on the community impact of the Llantwit Food Project.

Twice a month, Llantwit Major residents of all ages stream into Colhuw Hall at the CF61 community building in Llantwit Major for the Chatty Caffi - a community initiative that seeks to bring the community together over a warm drink.

They are welcomed by a group of dedicated volunteers who have been busy setting up the hall and brewing teas and coffees all morning.

The Chatty Caffi – which is also a warm space – forms a part of the ‘More Than Food’ hub which takes place on the third Thursday of every month where a variety of organisations – including Council teams - link up at the CF61 community centre building to help deliver a wide range of support and services.

One resident who has become a regular visitor to the Chatty Caffi is Edna from Llantwit Major.

Edna, who also lives with dementia, comes to the Chatty Caffi to meet her bowling friends Lynn and Eta: “It’s so lovely here you know, everybody is so friendly, and it makes a big difference then.

“Our friends who serve the tea and coffee behind the counter, they really do lovely things here. We come here and we talk about anything and everything really – it helps you to get out of the house and it’s lovely to come here and see everyone.”

As Edna usually catches up with her friends and shares some sweet treats, on the other side of the room is Richard - the local PCSO - who also comes to chat to residents.

Richard says it is a great opportunity to hear from residents directly in a friendly environment: “It's a good way to talk to some of the residents who we don't often see out and about. We get their views, have a chat with them, and I help them out where I can.

“For example, one of the elderly ladies was struggling with the apps on her phone, so it’s even helping people in small ways like that too. If they've got any concerns within the community, we can address them here as well.”

He added: “In terms of having it here on the third Thursday, it is a great way to connect with people from all types of different backgrounds and experiences. We collaborate with as many people as we can, with those who need us as well as some of the groups that do stuff here. 

“If we find out they’re doing stuff in the school holidays and if we’re available, we’ll come down and interact with the children too, that way we can connect with the younger generation as well.”

As many residents use the Chatty Caffi as a time to see friends and connect with others, there is also another group of volunteers at work in the same hall with the clothes bank.

Although the Chatty Caffi and the clothes bank are distinctly separate from each other, Sam who volunteers with the clothes bank, says it’s a vital resource for the residents who come along: “Everyone deserves to be warm, dry and have shoes and socks on their feet. In terms of everything being all here under one roof, it does make a difference for the people coming here, it's very accessible to them.

“It doesn't matter who you are, you can come in, have a warm drink, and get some nice warm clothes while you’re here too if you need them.”

The Chatty Caffi is open on the first and third Thursday of each month between 12:30pm and 14:30pm at the CF61 building in the centre of Llantwit Major (Station Road, CF61 1ST).

The monthly ‘More Than Food’ hub taking place on the third Thursday of the month during the same time period.