UWTSD praised for its community spirit
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has been praised for being a “forward-thinking university with a community spirit” for its new Community Cupboard initiative.
The Community Cupboard, to be launched on Friday, 2 February by Carolyn Harries, MP, enables people to donate unwanted household goods so that they may be reused by others.
The items, which can include kitchen equipment and utensils, soft furnishings, as well as electrical goods, can be donated at any of the University’s buildings in Swansea to be taken to the Community Cupboard based at the Dylan Thomas Centre. The items are then checked to make sure they are clean, useable and PAT tested, in the case of electrical goods.
The donated items are free and can be collected at the Dylan Thomas Centre from Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm. It is open to anyone and particularly individuals and families who are struggling with the cost of living.
The idea for the community cupboard came from a conversation between Michelle Treasure, Operations Supervisor at the University, and Kate Williams, UWTSD’s Head of Sustainability, Sam Bowen, Widening Access Manager and Bronwen Williams, Academic Director of UWTSD’s Blue Light Academy.
The initiative followed a similar scheme launched across the University’s campuses where kitchen items that were left in university accommodation were donated to students starting their journey at UWTSD. The Library of Things was a joint effort by the University’s Sustainability Team, Library and Learning Resources and Student Services which proved popular with students and staff alike.
Michelle realised that other items that were no longer needed could also be reused rather than thrown away and so she enlisted the help of colleagues to identify suitable items and the idea soon grew into the Community Cupboard with both operations staff and students volunteering to look after the resource.
Michelle Treasure said:
“Working for the University has taught me so much and I’m pleased that the Community Cupboard is up and running. It’s been a real team effort to set it up and it’s great because we’re helping people. We have collection points at every UWTSD building in Swansea for people to donate their unwanted goods. We’re happy to take any clean and non-perishable items that people can reuse.
“UWTSD staff and students have been generous in their donations, and we are grateful for their support.”
Bronwen Williams, Academic Director of the University’s Blue Light Academy said:
“In both her roles Michelle had recognised a need for somewhere to both donate and to collect household goods and as a team we sought to come up with a solution that the University could instigate.
“We know that there are many pressures facing people at the moment including dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, the plight of refuges seeking sanctuary in Swansea, the need of students to furnish flats and houses when they come to university, so we wanted to create a place where people can donate and know it is going straight to people who need it, and somewhere for those who need it to come and collect for free.
“The Community Cupboard also helps support the University’s sustainability agenda by reducing waste through reusing and recycling household goods.”
Already, several individuals and groups have benefitted from the scheme, including Mandy Fairhead, ASD Officer at Cefn Hengoed Community School. She said:
“Thank you so much for the kind donation from the Community Cupboard of pens and balls for the ALN pupils at Cefn Hengoed school. The pupils were thrilled, and we very much appreciate your kindness.”
Another individual who has already taken advantage of the Community Cupboard is Rachel Hart ahead of starting her own child-minding business. She says:
“I cannot thank you all enough. I managed to collect a doll’s house and a baby VTech Toy to help me set up the child-minding business. I’m starting from scratch and with me being out of work this has been so helpful”.
Janette Thorne, who supports families in Swansea, said:
“I was able to pick up an array of items for free which were all preloved but in good condition. I delivered the items to one of the families I work with, and they were overwhelmed with the items. I’m not sure who was more excited! Through the University’s innovative scheme and generous donations, they have delighted this family who is currently struggling.
“UWTSD is clearly a forward-thinking university with a community spirit, to have set up this amazing scheme.”
The council is leading the drive to make Swansea a net zero city by 2050 through Swansea Project Zero – and the Community Cupboard initiative will help.
In launching the scheme Carolyn Harris, MP, said:
“I am delighted to be launching The Community Cupboard on behalf of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
“At a time when more and more people are facing financial struggles this will be a huge benefit to our community – reducing waste and helping those on tight budgets to replace household items.
“A huge thank you to Michelle and the team for developing this outstanding sustainable initiative.”
Professor Elwen Evans, KC, Vice-Chancellor, added:
“I’m delighted that this initiative has been received so well. It is an example of how the University’s staff is making a difference to families and communities in our locality. This initiative has grown from the enthusiasm of a few individuals who wanted to help others. It is borne out of kindness, compassion and care and the University is really pleased to support this excellent initiative.”
The Community Cupboard will be launched on Friday, 2 February at 10.30am.
Further Information
Eleri Beynon
Head of Corporate Communications and PR
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: eleri.beynon@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07968 249335