Seasons of Support: Growing a Thriving Community Hub

By Lianne Young, Digital Engagement and Volunteering Officer

At the Longmeadow Court sheltered scheme, what began as a winter warm hub has grown into something much more — a year-round community initiative where support doesn’t end when winter does.

While warm hubs are often created to respond to cold weather and rising energy costs, residents at Longmeadow Court quickly recognised that the challenges they help address - social isolation, rising living costs and the need for connection - do not disappear when the temperature rises.

Instead of closing the doors in spring, the warm hub evolved into a space that continues to bring people together in every season.

From Winter Warmth to Summer Growth

The journey started when several residents approached us with a simple but powerful request - to help improve their garden and make it more suitable for growing flowers and vegetables.

With donations of wildflower seeds from Wild Wales Seeds, along with plants, soil and planters from Vale Homes, the first steps were taken. 

But it quickly became clear that this could be more than a small gardening project — it had the potential to bring residents together, improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation throughout the year.

To help bring their vision to life, we partnered with Vale Local Nature Partnership (LNP). 

Their expertise enabled residents to think bigger about what their outdoor space could become.

A planning session was organised where residents gathered over tea and cakes to design their dream garden. Ideas flowed — raised beds, fruit trees, bird boxes, bat boxes, hedgehog homes, wildflower areas and even a pond.

By the end of the session there was a shared sense of excitement and ownership around the project.

It was agreed that over the winter months Vale LNP would prepare orders and begin groundwork for the larger installations.

A Winter of Community

However, it proved to be a long and particularly wet winter. Residents were eager to see progress in the garden and needed something to lift spirits in the meantime.

The opportunity to develop the scheme’s Warm Hub came about thanks to funding secured through the Welsh Government Safe and Warm Spaces fund.

Residents who wished to volunteer were supported with food hygiene training, empowering them to run their own weekly warm space sessions - they were even given the opportunity to earn rewards for their time via Value in the Vale.

Equipped with soup, crackers, tea, coffee and the necessary equipment, residents took full ownership of the space. It became more than simply a warm room - it was a place of connection, conversation and mutual support.

The hub helped reduce social isolation, eased cost-of-living pressures by providing a hot meal and drink, and created a renewed sense of purpose and pride among those volunteering.

Importantly, residents were consulted throughout to ensure the warm space truly met their needs. Through those conversations one message became clear -the need for connection, support and affordable activities does not disappear when winter ends.

Warm Spaces, All Year Round

Rather than closing the hub once the weather improved, residents wanted to continue meeting and supporting one another.

To help sustain this year-round approach, residents were provided with:

• Vegetable and herb seeds to grow their own produce
• A soup maker to make the most of leftover ingredients 
• A soup warmer to serve food during longer sessions
• A recipe book for inspiration
• Games to enjoy during hub gatherings
• Tea, coffee, sugar and milk
• A healthy supply of soup

The warm hub gradually evolved into a sustainable, resident-led community initiative — blending food, friendship, gardening and skills development.

A Garden Taking Shape

With winter behind us, the outdoor transformation is now well underway.

Longmeadow Court is now home to:

• A tranquil nature pond
• Raised vegetable beds
• Fruit trees and wildflower planters
• A bee post
• Bat boxes and hedgehog homes
• A bird box with camera and a wildlife trail cam, supporting residents to develop digital skills

The garden has become a shared outdoor space where residents can relax, grow food, connect with nature and enjoy the results of their collective efforts.

Following residents’ requests, Glamorgan Bird Club were also invited to deliver a talk on swifts ahead of the installation of new swift boxes around the scheme.

The Final Phase

The final phase of the project will see the installation of outdoor kitchen worktops, enabling residents to prepare and enjoy the food they have grown during the summer months.

The project at Longmeadow Court shows that warm hubs are about much more than heating a room during winter.

They are about building resilience, confidence, friendships and community support - all year round.

And before we know it, when the colder months return, the soup will be warming once again in a space that has been created, shaped and led by the residents themselves.

We would like to express our thanks to the following people and organisations for helping to make this project such a success:

• Longmeadow Scheme Coordinator Steffan for his continual support throughout
• Vale Local Nature Partnership 
• Vale Homes
• Welsh Govt Safe and Warm Spaces 
• Value in the Vale
• Glamorgan Bird Club
• Wild Wales Seeds
• Johnathan Wilson Specialist Stonemason