From Farm to Community Hub: Stories from Our Donation Scheme

Over the past few weeks, I have taken the opportunity to meet some of the groups and organisations we are able to support each month through our donation scheme, which has been running since 2022. I am confident this journey, and Cwm Arian’s ongoing relationships with these groups, will continue to lead to a range of interesting and far-reaching projects. For now, I would like to offer a brief insight into just two of them.

First, Clynfyw Care Farm, situated between Abercych and Boncath:

We call ourselves a Care Farm, supporting adults with learning disabilities and those in recovery from mental health challenges. We also recognise our wider remit: supporting community regeneration, with a focus on resilience in the face of the climate crisis.

I visited on a rather grey Friday in February and was warmly welcomed by Jim Bowen, something of a local figurehead whom you may recognise from his recently concluded Climate Show on Pure West Radio. After a brief introduction, I was introduced to Hwyl, one of the farm’s longest-standing residents, who has lived on the land for 14 years. Hwyl, accompanied by his support worker Jed, kindly gave me a tour of the site, introducing me to other learners and staff along the way.

Clynfyw is based on a former working farm, and the site itself is extensive, encompassing multiple outbuildings, gardens, fields, woodland, and more recently, storage containers and workshops. As a result, the range of facilities and activities available is remarkably broad, allowing participants to explore areas such as cooking, gardening, engineering, arts, games, and much more.

In addition to its residential community, the farm also welcomes day attendees, creating a lively and ever-changing environment, even on the most overcast of days. Jed explained that CARE’s donation had enabled Hwyl to pursue some of his experimental renewable engineering ideas. With a father who had been an engineer, it seems the aptitude has been passed on; early in the tour, I was shown a vintage engine the pair had restored together. This restoration work led to the creation of a small working turbine—constructed from recycled materials, including old prescription packets used as blades—which had been successfully tested in the garden on a summer’s day. Their current project, a bicycle-powered radio, is also progressing well.

It is clear to see how this contribution has supported developments across land, energy, and community. We are proud to have supported Clynfyw and look forward to seeing how this relationship continues to grow, particularly given the many shared interests and values.

The second project I visited was Hermon’s fortnightly Warm Rooms, which provide a low-cost, two-course meal every other Thursday at Canolfan Hermon, a community hub. I was told that the initiative was established in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the local café closed, leaving members of the community without a central meeting place.

The gathering I attended brought together a wonderfully diverse group, ranging in age from four to eighty. Canolfan itself reflects a similar sense of interconnectedness; on the day of my visit, nurses conducting blood donation sessions nearby joined us, with the sounds of laughter from the adjacent nursery adding to the lively atmosphere.

For many, the Warm Rooms initiative is a vital lifeline. It offers not only an affordable meal, but also a sense of routine and a dependable opportunity to connect with others in the community—without the burden of planning or organisation, as meals are arranged in advance. This consistency has fostered a welcoming and vibrant community centred around the space.

Once again, we are pleased to have been able to contribute to this initiative. Our support has enabled the purchase of a laptop, helping to streamline administrative and planning tasks, as well as supporting the team in identifying and applying for future funding.

These are just two of the groups we have been able to support over the years, and we hope to extend this scheme to benefit many more. If you, or an organisation you know, could benefit from this support, please do not hesitate to get in touch or submit an application via our website:https://www.cwmarian.org.uk/donation

This blog was written by Anna Mounteney, who, alongside Bethan John, began supporting Cwm Arian’s communications just before Christmas. For more information, or to get in touch: anna@cwmarian.co.uk