In March 2025, we visited the South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP), known locally through its community centres—Canolfan Ni Community Hub in Corwen and the Pengwern Hub in Llangollen. The visit highlighted the vital work of these centres and their partnership with FareShare Merseyside, which supplies surplus food to North Wales, transforming lives and tackling isolation in rural communities. 

A Hub for Connection 

SDCP has long been a cornerstone of support in South Denbighshire. Its mission is to reduce isolation, provide practical help, and create opportunities for people to connect. The FareShare partnership strengthens this mission by ensuring a reliable flow of surplus food, which underpins the centres’ services and expands their role as trusted community hubs. 

Through our Network Partner FareShare Merseyside, Canolfan Ni Community Hub receives high-quality surplus food for its Community Fridge, which operates on a help-yourself basis. This flexible, non-judgemental model ensures that everyone can access nutritious food, regardless of circumstance. Beyond providing essentials, the Fridge has become a social space where people meet, share stories, and feel part of a wider community—especially important in rural areas where social opportunities are limited. 

Services for Everyone 

During our visit to Canolfan Ni, it was clear that food provision sits at the heart of a wide range of activities designed to build community: 

• Community Fridge: Surplus food, from fresh produce to bakery items, freely available to all. 

• “Cawl a Chân” (Soup and Song): Shared meals accompanied by music and sing-alongs. 

• Social Groups: Quizzes, bingo, and other gatherings to foster friendships. 

• Community Transport – “Bws Ni”: Ensuring residents from remote villages can attend the centre. 

• Additional Services: Shopping trips, Citizens Advice drop-ins, parent & toddler groups, mental health support, craft sessions, and Lunch Clubs. 

Together with its sister hub in Llangollen, Canolfan Ni ensures these services reach across South Denbighshire, connecting people who might otherwise be isolated. 

A Day of Connection and Collaboration 

During the visit, volunteers at Canolfan Ni were busily sorting a fresh FareShare delivery, arranging fruit, vegetables, and other essentials in the Community Fridge. Community members came through the doors not only to collect food, but to stay, share a cup of tea, and chat with staff and neighbours. 

One service user reflected on what the centre means for her and her husband: 

“My husband Trebor and I come here on Tuesdays. We really look forward to meeting different people. We have lunch, which is really worth it, and then a quiz or bingo. I really enjoy being with the community. Because we live in the countryside we don’t get to see many people — everyone is so busy. But here I have fun, meet different people, and see everyone enjoying themselves.” 

This testimony captures the essence of Canolfan Ni: a place where practical support is delivered with dignity, and where friendship and belonging grow naturally. 

The Impact of FareShare 

The partnership with FareShare Merseyside is transformational. It: 

• Provides the foundation for the Community Fridge and shared meals. 

• Supports group activities and Lunch Clubs. 

• Reduces food waste by putting surplus to good use. 

• Gives SDCP confidence to plan and expand services. 

The environmental benefit of reducing waste is matched by the social benefit of strengthening community life. 

Tackling Isolation in a Rural Region 

South Denbighshire is predominantly rural, with many residents living in isolated homes or small villages. Limited transport and fewer opportunities for connection make loneliness a persistent challenge, particularly among older people. Canolfan Ni addresses this by offering safe, welcoming spaces, hosting inclusive activities, providing transport, and combining practical support with social opportunities. 

Through its centres in Corwen and Llangollen, SDCP transforms surplus food into shared meals, laughter, and community connection. By fostering dignity, choice, and belonging, it strengthens resilience across the region. FareShare Cymru is proud to support this work, celebrating Canolfan Ni as a shining example of how food, friendship, and community spirit create lasting change.