Cash seized from criminals has helped secure the future of a much-loved community caf\u00e9 run from a church in North Wales.<\/p>\n
A vital grant has safeguarded the Community Caf\u00e9 and wellness project at Holy Trinity Church in Rhyl which has been offering warm spaces, creative sessions and home-cooked food to local residents since July.<\/p>\n
The Trinity Outreach Project, which welcomes more than 20 people each week for crafts, conversations, a hot lunch can now continue into the New Year thanks to a grant from the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT).<\/p>\n
A pilot project was set up in the church in the summer and its success has convinced organisers it can become a permanent lifeline for vulnerable people across the town.<\/p>\n
The Rev. Helen Gheorghiu Gould transition minister for the Aber Morfa Mission Area, has been leading the scheme after a decade of developing similar church-based community ventures.<\/p>\n
The Rev Gheorghiu Gould, who grew up in Prestatyn,\u00a0 said: \u201cI was appointed two years ago to help the congregation here re-think the purpose of the Christian community and to shape their vision for the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy role is to be an agent of change \u2013 most vicars are settled in their community but I work with different communities on projects like this.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people said they wanted a project to be about fellowship and hospitality with the idea of something food-based and it took from February last year to get the cafe established before trying it out in April.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt soon showed its worth as we found out from people what they wanted to happen here and it was launched in late July with the grant from PACT ensuring we could commit to keeping it going.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has worked very well and since then our volunteers have put in 836 community hours and we\u2019ve had a total of 590 visitors, many of whom have become regulars and including Wayne Walton who came as a visitor and stayed to become a volunteer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has attracted vulnerable people and those with mental and physical health needs, homeless people, people with addictions, as well as local people who just want to come and participate in community life. It is this range of participants which has been a hallmark of its success.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome people with addictions have started to attend rehabilitation through connecting with services via the caf\u00e9 and we have been able to support and encourage others to seek help and put them in touch with local agencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cPACT\u2019s support enabled us to carry on this year and thanks to that we can now look forward to carrying on in 2026 and to launching a Rhyl Food Hub here working with Clwyd Alyn Housing Association.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former Church Warden Rosemary Hughes, a member of the congregation for over 50 years, is now a regular at the Outreach Project and she said: \u201cI come here most Mondays and it\u2019s been amazing what it\u2019s done for the town.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about involving the church in the community and it makes people feel there\u2019s somewhere they can come and be welcomed and so they come back every week which just shows that it\u2019 needed and you don\u2019t have to be a member of the church to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Local resident Wayne Walton said: \u201cI came in for a cup of coffee one day and I asked if they needed any help and I\u2019ve been coming ever since.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy gran taught me how to cook so I lend a hand and I just love it. It gives me something to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Retired coach driver Archie McIntyre, from Meliden, said: \u201cI go to services at the church and I started coming here for a bit of company after losing my wife.<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoy the craft workshop they have and I\u2019m pleased it\u2019s carrying on.\u201d<\/p>\n
PACT Chair Ashley Rogers said: \u201cThe Trinity Outreach Project is a brilliant example of how a relatively small amount of targeted support can create a big impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the team has achieved here \u2013 building a safe, welcoming space for people who might otherwise be isolated \u2013 is exactly the kind of community strength we want to encourage across North Wales.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe awarded the grant because this grant tackles real need on the ground, from loneliness to addiction, and connects people with trusted local support.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnowing that the money taken from criminal activity is now helping residents rebuild confidence and community spirit is precisely why PACT exists and we\u2019re proud to play a part in its future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Trinity Outreach Project is just one of many schemes that have been supported by PACT, an independent charity launched in 1998 to support community initiatives, particularly those in which the police are involved.<\/p>\n
In that time it has helped over 2,500 projects, investing in communities right across North Wales.<\/p>\n
Ashley Rogers added: \u201cFor many who are involved in the projects, this is their first interaction with the police, so making this a positive experience can have profound consequences on their future life choices.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom Gwynedd in the west across to Flintshire and Wrexham in the east, PACT continues to support projects that enable positive and sustainable community development and this has never been more important than right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
PACT offer a range of grants of up to \u00a32,000 for community projects \u2013 for more details and how to apply go to <\/strong>https:\/\/www.pactnorthwales.co.uk\/applications-ceisiadau\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n