Cwtch Angels: From Grassroots Beginnings to Community‑Wide Support — And a Generous Boost from Abergavenny Rotary Club
- sandrajmarks
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
In the months following Covid, local resident Annie HARTWRIGHT first became aware that there was a growing need across Abergavenny and the surrounding areas for support with food poverty. Families and individuals were struggling more than ever, while supermarkets continued to dispose of perfectly good food at the end of each day. Seeing this gap — and the unnecessary waste — Annie felt compelled to act.
A Small Idea That Grew Into a Lifeline
Annie began by approaching supermarkets to ask whether surplus food could be collected instead of sent to landfill. Her mission was simple: redirect waste to where it was needed most.
In 2020, she founded Cwtch Angels, supported by a small team of volunteers. Their first partnership was with Waitrose, collecting end‑of‑day food and redistributing it to the community. What started as a modest effort quickly grew into a vital local service.
Soon after, Cwtch Angels secured a building and equipped it with fridges, freezers, and storage — the beginnings of their now well‑known Community Fridge. Over the past five years, the organisation has expanded far beyond food support, now offering clothing, furniture, baby equipment, household essentials, and more. A dedicated team of 10 volunteers keeps the operation running every day.
A Community Interest Company With a Community Mission
Cwtch Angels is registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and is entirely not‑for‑profit. They rely on donations and grants to continue their work, collaborating closely with Housing Associations, Mind, Citizens Advice, community support teams, and social services, who refer individuals and families for help.
They also encourage the wider public to use the Community Fridge, helping reduce food waste and normalising community‑based food sharing.
Abergavenny Rotary Club Steps In With Remarkable Support
In 2025, the Abergavenny Rotary Club President selected Cwtch Angels as his chosen charity of the year — a decision that led to an extraordinary show of community generosity.
Over the course of the year, the Rotary Club raised an impressive £4,600 for Cwtch Angels. £3,100 came from a sell‑out concert by the Treorchy Male Choir, held at St Mary’s Parish Church in July 2025. £1,500 was donated by exhibitors at the Abergavenny Steam Rally during the Spring Bank Holiday in May 2025.
A Heartfelt Thank You From Annie
In expressing her gratitude, Annie shared just how meaningful the donation is:
“This is a truly magnificent amount to us, and we will be able to stock our pantry for a good few months to come and put some towards the Christmas hampers we support families with. Thank you just doesn’t seem enough, but for a small organisation like ours, this is a huge help.”
The Rotary Club’s support ensures that Cwtch Angels can continue providing essential items, reducing waste, and supporting vulnerable people across Abergavenny and the surrounding areas.
To find out more visit - https://www.facebook.com/groups/491313248120903
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