A Butetown group has opened up about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on isolated families and members of the community. Organisation Steps4Change says some parents are struggling to afford things like activities for their children, with a building waiting list for people to join the organisation which helps teach skills like cooking on a budget.
It comes as an appeal to help voluntary organisations and charities during the cost-of-living crisis is to receive a £1 million donation from the Welsh Government. ‘Our Communities Together – a cost of living crisis appeal’ is a project set up by Community Foundation Wales together with Newsquest to help voluntary groups and organisations tackle the rising costs and demand levels.
Cardiff's Steps4Change is one of the organisations that will benefit from this donation. The voluntary community group provides support for isolated individuals, families and communities as well as helping with the development of young people.
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Director of Steps4Change Tony Ogunsulire said: “There has been a big issue with the cost-of-living crisis in Butetown. A lot of parents have been forced to channel their resources elsewhere, like higher energy bills or simply affording basic items. This has taken away resources from children and has impacted their education, especially those that need additional support. Parents struggle to afford activities for their kids to do, so we try to offer that. We have actually outgrown our current space and there is a really big waiting list to join the group, so this funding should help us expand.”
Tony set up the organisation after realising the needs of children in Butetown. He wanted to create a space where people could come together and talk about the issues they are facing. The group also runs cooking classes, a basketball club and its own magazine as well as helping with employment support and mentoring. “We have had a big impact on youngsters in the area. Steps4Change means that these kids are able to eat decent meals. We have our cooking sessions and when the food is done even more children show up to eat the food. The children serve each other. There is sometimes not enough food for everyone but we preach it is better for us to share a little,” said Tony.
“Our organisation helps to give young people confidence and teach them life skills. They also learn to work together and how to communicate with one another. Everyone speaks different languages, most speak different dialects of Arabic but there is always someone around to translate. The biggest thing is teaching the children’s parents to have faith in them. The children learn things here and go home and showcase their new skills and talents.”
One of the children who attends Steps4Change is Inika Singh, age 11. She said: “I like coming here to cook but the best part is eating what I make. The best days are when we cook with the younger children too because my little sister comes along. My favourite food is now noodles after I cooked them here once. I have been every day this week.”
Butetown councillor Helen Gunter is supporting the initiative and its work in the local community. She said: “I think it is important that children learn to cook from an early age. It helps them to be confident and have the knowledge of how to safely prepare food. The waiting list to join Steps4Change just shows how much this help is needed in the area.”
Services like Steps4Change have been vital in providing help and advice, access to food, support for the elderly and childcare assistance during the cost-of-living crisis. It comes as voluntary sector organisations have been filling some of the gaps that public sector organisations have been meeting the needs of as they deal with increased demand post-pandemic. But the Welsh Government recognises that the cost-of-living crisis is putting many of them at risk to make ends meet and continue providing a service.
According to the Welsh Government, the number of organisations needing support has risen from 2,457 in 2018-19 to 4,317 in 2020-21. This trend has continued in the first three quarters of 2022-23, with 3,850 organisations already supported.
Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “We’re glad we made this donation to help bring in more support for the voluntary sector and charitable trusts. Wherever we can, the Welsh Government work in partnerships to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, which is severely impacting the people of Wales.”
Ms Hutt added: “It is a very tough time for people at the moment. The Easter holidays can be a real problem for families, so the Welsh Government are providing free meals during this time for children that need it. People are struggling with food inflation and energy costs so work done by voluntary groups is really important.
“As a society we are increasingly reliant on the voluntary sector to provide support to the most vulnerable members of our communities. They play a vital role through the likes of childcare support, foodbanks helping households feed their families and advice services about how people can maximize their incomes."
The ‘Our Communities Together – a cost of living crisis appeal’ set up by Community Foundation Wales in partnership with Newsquest will provide support to grassroot voluntary organisations across Wales through grants of £2,000 to £5,000.
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