Celebrating the successful completion of Faith in Families Centre renovation

We are delighted to announce the successful completion of the renovation project at the Faith in Families Community Cwtch, St Teilo's Church in Portmead.

The project was initiated in 2023 with a donation of £30,000 from our Society, given as one part of our more than £100,000 centenary-year celebratory initiative. The work has now transformed the facility, making it fully waterproof and insulated with a brand-new roof. The renovation means that a large section of the 'Cwtch' can now be utilised year-round in comfort, furthering the efforts of Faith in Families to serve the local community of Portmead and surrounding areas with childcare and essential support services.

Faith in Families is a Swansea-based charity, established in 1999, which operates centres in Swansea and Brecon offering a wide range of services from childcare to lunch clubs. With a vision to build brighter futures and create a city where every child can reach their full potential, the charity plays a pivotal role in uplifting families within the community.

Our involvement with Faith in Families began back in October 2022, with a donation facilitated by our Chief Executive, Alun Williams, and Area Manager, Jane Parker. The initial donation kickstarted the renovation project and highlighted the urgent need for a new roof at the Community Cwtch.

Moved by the charity’s plight, Jane then orchestrated a project team, convening a meeting with members of the local business community, who were similarly inspired by the organisation's remarkable story and rallied to offer their assistance.

In a heartwarming display of goodwill and community solidarity, support swiftly poured in. A roof survey was undertaken, along with re-costing of repair work by a quantity surveyor, and a bat survey. Additionally, donations were made by various businesses for materials, labour and scaffolding.

The success of the renovation project would, therefore, not have been possible without the invaluable support of various partners and members of the local business community: Sam Hawking – Sam Hawking Property Lawyers; Mark Dixie – Glamorgan Services; Iestyn Evans – I & G Ecological Consulting; Nick Thomas – Greener Futures; Jason Evans – Evans Banks Planning; Paul Williams – P R Williams Ltd; Andrew Davies – Hurley and Davies; Carl Thomas – Absolute Scaffolding Wales; Jason Lewis – Spartan Scaffolding Solutions; Anthony Harrison & Scott Thornhill – Crest Ceilings and Partitions; Gethin Edwards – EBM; Steve Smith – SRS Building and Roofing Maintenance; Abby Truscott & Mike Coakley – PESS Ltd; and Ryan Miles – Miles Hire Ltd.

Cherrie Bija, CEO of Faith in Families, said:

"The amazing support from Swansea Building Society, local businesses, and partners has been incredible. Their generosity has allowed us to rebuild the space, providing a warm, safe place for children and families when they need it most. This partnership shows how much we can achieve when people and businesses work together for a better future."

Jane Parker, our Area Manager, added:

"We are incredibly proud to have been able to help facilitate the renovation of the Faith in Families Community Cwtch. At Swansea Building Society, we believe in the power of community collaboration and the importance of investing in initiatives that make a tangible difference in people's lives. Seeing the completion of this project and witnessing the positive impact it will have on the local community reaffirms our commitment to supporting worthy causes and fostering a stronger, more resilient community for generations to come."