We recognise that this year has been hard for many, so with this in mind, we’d like to promote some other incredible initiatives working to create stronger, cleaner, and more sustainable communities. Each month we will be promoting a location that is home to one of our repair cafes, celebrating the many other inspirational, forward thinking organisations that strive to make Wales, and the world, a better place.
This month we are showcasing Abergavenny, the small market town in Monmouthshire with a huge interest in sustainability and community cohesion.
Little Green Refills
One stall in Abergavenny Market has been enchanted by the presence of Little Green Refills, an ethical business model envisaged by two local women with a passion for reducing plastic waste. Establishing their refill stations so far, in the markets of Abergavenny, Tredegar, Hay-on-Wye and Ludlow, Little Green Refills have announced they will be opening a Zero Waste shop in Abergavenny in the coming months, and also run a home delivery service. Their refill stations are equipped with plant based, cruelty free cleaning, household and toiletry products, and you can browse their website for ethically packaged groceries available for delivery, including locally sourced examples such as Abergavenny Eggs, Llanover Logs BBQ packs, Brecon Chocolates and Black Mountain Preserves.
To learn more about Little Green Refills, you can visit their website at https://little-green-refills.myshopify.com/
Ambika Social
Charming the residents of Abergavenny in the beautiful surroundings of Linda Vista Gardens, is Ambika Social, an upcycled horsebox turned outdoor café. Nuzzled between the trees at the main entrance, the café aims to bring the community together in the nourishing environment nature provides. Ambika Social was set up by Nadia Pye following her positive experience of Linda Vista Gardens as a new mum, and the sense of wellbeing gained by time spent outdoors. Inspired by the potential to tackle loneliness and isolation, and the desire to build a stronger sense of community, Nadia has captured the heart of Abergavenny with her locally sourced and homemade produce, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The menu rolls with the seasons, currently featuring an autumnal soup of the day to wandering families looking to keep their hands warm, whilst tea, coffee, healthy snacks and treats are also available, and most dietary requirements catered for, including gluten free, dairy free and vegan options.
You can follow Ambika Social on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AmbikaSocial/
Abergavenny Foodbank
Based at the Abergavenny Baptist Church in the town centre, Abergavenny Foodbank is a project established by local churches and community groups, as part of wider network of foodbanks supported by the Trussel Trust. Supporting people in poverty and those unable to afford to feed themselves or their families, Abergavenny foodbank is an essential community based initiative in these, most difficult times. Foodbanks work by collecting donations from the public at designated places in the local area, such as schools, businesses, churches and supermarkets. These donations are then arranged by volunteers, into emergency food parcels, in readiness to be distributed. People in need are identified by care professionals, such as schools, social workers or health visitors, and are then issued food bank vouchers to be exchanged for emergency food parcels. During the collection of these food parcels, the volunteers at the foodbank centre and the clients often get a chance to have a chat over a complimentary hot drink or warm meal, and work together to figure out a way forward, longer term. Abergavenny Foodbank is open at the Abergavenny Baptist Church on Tuesdays between 1pm – 4pm, and on Fridays between 10am – 12.30pm.
You can find out more about Abergavenny Foodbank at https://abergavenny.foodbank.org.uk/
Griffiths Civil Engineering and Construction
Amongst the UK’s Top 20 civil engineering and construction contractors, Griffiths Civil Engineering and Construction are based in Abergavenny. Whilst 2017 saw them win the Sustainable Business Award at the Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales awards, this business is looking to improve further on this promising record. Having achieved their target to make a 20% reduction in emissions by 2020, they have now set themselves a new challenge to focus on an 80% reduction by 2050, and have signed up to the Waste to Wealth campaign, a project for those committed to a collective effort, doubling resource productivity and reducing avoidable waste by 2030. Whilst working hard to reduce their impact on the environment, Griffiths Civil Engineering and Construction have also ensured they align with other key elements of the Welsh Government’s Wellbeing Goals. Taking part in ‘earn as you learn’ apprenticeships and graduate schemes whilst leading ‘Women in Construction’ workshops at local colleges, Griffiths has made massive strides towards employment equality in Wales, not to mention their ‘bike 2 work’ scheme and other charitable donations.
A clear and comprehensive list of Griffiths Civil Engineering and Construction’s sustainability targets can be found on their website here: https://www.alungriffiths.co.uk/
Next month, we will be focusing on Mold in Flintshire, yet another Welsh town embracing the concept of sustainability and acknowledging the need for community cohesion to achieve incredible things!
