June is Month of the Community activities and 15 – 12 June is Loneliness Awareness Week. Warm hubs in Blaenau Gwent are providing far more than just a warm space.
Here’s how Ebenezer Baptist Church in Abertillery, Men’s Shed BG, Tyleri Transition, Ebbw Fach Community Group, Tredegar Workmen’s Medical Aid Heritage Centre Warm Hub and Palpung Maitri House in Brynmawr, are working in the community to combat loneliness.
These community projects are creating places where people feel welcome, noticed, and connected. At a time when loneliness can be intensified by financial pressure, poor health, caring responsibilities or disability, these projects offer regular human contact and a sense of belonging that can be life changing.
At Ebenezer Baptist Church in Abertillery, the warm hub has grown into a place of belonging, stability, and hope. Volunteers have seen people who were initially anxious or withdrawn become more talkative and engaged, while people new to the area or new to the UK have found a gentle space to relax, laugh, and feel valued. This shows that tackling loneliness often begins with something simple but powerful.
At Men’s Shed BG, two women who met through the warm hub became close friends and began visiting each other at home. https://theshedbg.co.uk/
At Tyleri Transition, baking sessions, creative activities, Welsh learning, and seasonal events have given people the chance to meet socially while learning new skills. In each case, the activities are important not just for entertainment, but because they create natural opportunities for conversation, confidence, and lasting relationships.
For older people living alone, for people with learning difficulties, and for families under financial strain, these regular sessions provide companionship as well as practical help.
Ebbw Fach Community Group has seen attendees make new friends and support one another, while Maitri House participants describe the project as giving them routine, companionship, and something positive to look forward to each week.
Tredegar Workmen’s Medical Aid Heritage Centre Warm Hub helped tackle loneliness by giving people a welcoming place where they could meet, chat and join in with shared activities. By bringing together older residents, families and vulnerable people, the project helped reduce social isolation, build new connections and make visitors feel more supported, included and confident in their community.
The council support Blaenau Gwent warm hubs by administering the Welsh Government warm space funding. This is an annual fund dedicated to providing financial support to projects like these in our area. In total £60,940 was awarded in the 2025/2026 round of grants.
Councillor Jules Gardner, Cabinet Member Adults and Communities commented:“Projects such as these, show that combating loneliness is not about one single intervention. It's about creating trusted community spaces where people can find solace & companionship, learn new skills, join in, feel safe, and be part of something bigger than themselves.
“These groups and volunteers show the very best of Blaenau Gwent. They are not only providing practical support, but also helping people build new friendships, regain confidence, reduce detachment and feel part of their community again. At a time when too many people are experiencing loneliness and isolation, this work is making a real difference to people’s lives.”