Around 400,000 tonnes of food goes to waste in Wales each year, much of it still good to eat. If just 1% of that was saved, it could be used to provide over 9 million meals—enough to provide three meals to every person in Wales. Simultaneously, a quarter of the population of Wales is facing poverty and struggling to access quality, nutritious food. Thousands of people across the country are experiencing food insecurity and are regularly going hungry. 

FareShare Cymru was established in 2010 and delivers surplus, good to eat food that might otherwise go to waste to charities and community groups in every corner of Wales. Today FareShare Cymru has distributed tonnes of surplus food to a network of groups and organisations across Wales that provide food and other essential services to people in need. From cookery classes and lunch clubs in community centres, to school breakfast clubs, stocking the shelves of community pantries and providing hearty meals in homelessness shelters, food redistributed by FareShare Cymru is used by charities in a variety of ways.  

The charities and organisations we work with provide a wealth of support to those who depend on them; without their services, many people would face far more challenging circumstances. One standout example is Teen Challenge Hope House, located on the outskirts of Llanelli. This charity focuses on helping individuals overcome drug and alcohol addictions by providing a space for rehabilitation and reconnection with themselves and others.  

While Teen Challenge operates centres for both men and women across the UK, Hope House is specifically dedicated to supporting women. Located in South Wales, it offers a safe and welcoming environment for women from all over the country to heal and recover. Crucially, they can provide all the services that the women may need during their recovery; “All the support is in house, it’s absolutely brilliant.” 

The work Hope House does is vital as the demand for their services, and similar drug and alcohol services, continues to rise nationally. One staff member at Hope House stated, “We need another centre”.  

The role of food in Hope House 

“We always sit together, always. And we cook together. Nobody here has cooked on mass before. We work together and take different positions in the kitchen. We teach them how to cook and make different desserts and things. We help each other. We’re like a big family.” 

Vicky, a member of the team at Hope House, emphasises the significance of food in the rehabilitation and recovery of the women staying there: “Food is like an event here, it really is. We eat really well; a lot of people (who come here) haven’t eaten properly in a long time. Some people don’t know how to cook. Some people suffer from malnutrition, and addiction has damaged their insides, so they need feeding up a little bit at a time.” 

Cooking at Hope House is a collaborative effort involving both staff and residents. For many, this experience marks their first time cooking in and cooking for a group, offering them the chance to learn new kitchen skills as part of their healing journey: “We can build people up in the kitchen, we stand back and talk them through it. It’s really cool.” 

Once prepared by the Hope House team, the meals are shared communally among all residents. Vicky explains how this practice cultivates a feeling of “fellowship,” providing opportunities for everyone to connect and converse. 

Working with FareShare Cymru has given the kitchen team an opportunity to work with and provide food that they may not have been able to access before. Vicky explains “[FareShare Cymru] have opened my eyes to different vegetables and new products. It’s made me look into new ways to cook things. It has broadened what we can offer the women here.”  

Charities like Teen Challenge Hope House are a perfect example of the power food has in bringing people together. From using food as a tool to teach and learn, to sitting around together for a meal, the benefits of community cooking and eating have vast benefits, beyond just providing food. 

If you would like to read more about Teen Challenge UK’s work, you can find out more on their website.