Community hub given new life
The Llandrindod Wells Community Fridge has marked the completion of a refurbishment that upgrades its pantry, community room and kitchen, opening a refreshed base for food redistribution and local activities. An open morning invited residents to view the changes, enjoy hot food and refreshments, and learn more about the services on offer.
Visitors were able to see first-hand how the project continues to combine practical help with community-building. A large amount of surplus food was available during the event, demonstrating the organisation’s dual aims of reducing waste and supporting households in need.
Support, fundraising and local backing
The improvements were funded in part by Community Focused Schools and The National Lottery. The mayor attended the opening and donated £100 to the project, while Councillor Jake Berriman, described in event materials as a long-standing supporter, was also present.
- Open morning features: hot food, refreshments and a raffle
- New facilities: refurbished pantry, community room with kitchen and reading corner
- Future plans: cooking workshops to be held for residents
The community room now includes an integrated kitchen and a reading corner, and the expanded space is intended to host a wider range of activities than before. Organisers say cooking workshops will be among the first new programmes to use the upgraded facilities.
"We are absolutely thrilled with how well the opening morning went. It was wonderful to see so many people coming along, enjoying the new space and finding out more about what the Community Fridge can offer," said Laura Rimmer Khan, coordinator at Llandrindod Wells Community Fridge.
The project was established nearly four years ago by Jen Craven, who remains involved with the initiative. Reflecting on the growth of the service, Ms Craven said she was proud of what had been achieved for the local area.
"I’m incredibly proud of how far the Fridge has come and of everything it has achieved for our community," she said.
Practical benefits for residents
Organisers stress that the refurbished pantry will provide easier access to essential food items in a welcoming, community-focused setting. The combination of Foodshare facilities with the new kitchen and room aims to broaden the services on offer, from emergency food provision to shared-cooking activities and social meet-ups.
While the open morning was an opportunity to showcase the work, it also served as a reminder of the continuing reliance on volunteer effort and local support for projects of this kind. The raffle and donations collected on the day will contribute to running costs and future programming.
| Supporter | Role |
|---|---|
| Community Focused Schools | Funding partner |
| The National Lottery | Funding partner |
| The Mayor | Donated £100 at opening |
| Cllr Jake Berriman | Long-time supporter, attended event |
For many households the presence of a local community fridge can mean reduced food bills and access to nutritious items not otherwise affordable — but equally important is the social space it creates. The reading corner and expanded community room are intended to offer a quieter, welcoming area where people can meet, learn and take part in activities.
Those behind the project say the refurbished site will allow them to extend their offer and host more structured sessions, beginning with the planned cookery classes that the new kitchen now facilitates. The project continues to rely on volunteers and community goodwill to operate and grow.
As other local charities face funding pressures and uncertainty, the successful reopening of the community fridge stands out as an example of what targeted grants and local backing can achieve in Llandrindod Wells. Organisers have expressed optimism for the future and invited residents to make use of the facilities and support forthcoming events.
