In November 2025, we visited the Bridgend Community Outreach Centre (BARC), a hub of support and care at the heart of Bridgend County Borough. BARC provides practical and emotional assistance to people facing homelessness, poverty, and isolation. Its services include housing support, employment guidance, counselling, training, resettlement help, and food hub advocacy. During our visit, we spoke with staff, volunteers, and service users, gaining insight into the vital role BARC plays in the community.

A Lifeline in Times of Need

For many people in Bridgend, BARC is more than a support centre—it is a lifeline. One staff member shared the stark reality of life for some service users:

“We lose around two clients a year to the cold,”

reflecting the devastating impact of winter on people sleeping rough. Service users emphasised the importance of the centre, noting BARC’s provision of two meals a day, ensures that those most vulnerable have access to consistent nourishment and a safe space, particularly during the harsh winter months.

The Transformative Impact of a Pop-Up Kitchen

Thanks to a Pop-Up Kitchen provided by FareShare Cymru, BARC has dramatically increased its capacity to serve hot, nutritious meals. Before the kitchen, staff could only prepare sandwiches or small portions of porridge, limiting the number of clients who could be fed and the variety of meals offered. Now, with the new kitchen, the centre can serve hot lunches to up to 60 people at a time, including roasts with vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, and gravy.

“We can do 60 bowls of porridge at once,” explained a staff member. “Before we couldn’t do that. Now we can do a big pot, and everybody gets fed.”

The kitchen also allows BARC to make the most of surplus food from FareShare Cymru, reducing waste while increasing the quality and nutritional value of the meals provided.

Beyond Meals: Building Community

The Pop-Up Kitchen has enabled BARC to expand its services and strengthen social connections. Former service users often volunteer in the kitchen, helping to prepare meals and giving back to the community. One example is John, who was once homeless:

“He’s been housed for a while now and he’s working here every day. Most of our volunteers have evolved from service users.”

Volunteers like John gain skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose, while service users benefit from a welcoming, supportive environment. Staff and volunteers also ensure that clients receive wraparound support, including help with budgeting, tenancy management, and life skills.

“It’s all right giving someone a house, but if they can’t manage it, you’re just setting them up to fail. We have a plan for every client, making sure they can keep their flat,” a staff member explained.

During our visit, the kitchen was a hub of activity, with staff preparing meals while service users collected food, chatted, and connected with neighbours:

“Breakfast is just toast and cereal, but lunch… that’s where you can see everyone come together,” said a staff member.

The Impact of FareShare Cymru

FareShare Cymru’s support has been instrumental in this transformation. The Pop-Up Kitchen provides a reliable platform for nutritious meals, enabling BARC to expand services and plan ahead confidently. By turning surplus food into hot meals and community events, FareShare Cymru helps BARC reduce food waste, strengthen social ties, and improve wellbeing for vulnerable individuals.

“The Pop-Up Kitchen from FareShare Cymru has completely changed what we can offer our clients. It’s more than food—it’s hope, warmth, and a lifeline”

Looking Forward

With the Pop-Up Kitchen, BARC can reach more people than ever before, providing not only meals but also a sense of community, dignity, and stability. Plans are underway to open a second centre focused on families, offering a café, therapy sessions, and healthy cooking workshops, ensuring that children and parents receive support before challenges escalate.

Through its partnership with FareShare Cymru, BARC demonstrates the power of practical resources combined with compassion. By providing food, care, and community, the centre continues to transform lives in Bridgend.

“Knowing people can come in, have a hot meal, and feel supported—it’s what we’ve always aimed for. FareShare Cymru has helped us make that possible,”