Our investment in Fir Tree Community Centre, Treharris, Merthyr has enabled the centre to continued to grow and develop as an important hub for the local community. The centre provides a welcoming and supportive environment where residents can access practical help, social interaction, and affordable food. Our aim is to reduce isolation, support individuals and families who may be experiencing financial hardship and create an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome and valued.
Over the past year…
The centre has focused on delivering warm spaces, hot meals, and an affordable food pantry, responding directly to the needs of the community and helping to support residents through ongoing cost-of-living challenges.
In addition, the centre has successfully delivered community family activities, training, volunteer led craft sessions and drop in sessions helping to bring families together, strengthen relationships, and encourage greater community engagement.
Local partnership with Multi Sports Active Merthyr Tydfil and Adult Learning Wales has enabled courses in Sugarcraft and Fit and Fed games sessions.
Find out what's been happening at Fir Tree Community Centre
We’re delighted to share the amazing progress at our Fir Tree Drive Community Allotments! Thanks to the incredible social value support from our contractors, Cardo, the allotments have been beautifully renovated – creating a safer, more welcoming space for everyone in our community.
This transformation will not only make it easier for residents to enjoy the gardens, but it will also help support our community food pantry by allowing us to grow more fresh fruit and vegetables locally. It’s another step forward in making Fir Tree Drive a place where everyone can come together, learn new skills, and share in the rewards of homegrown produce.
The Community Food Pantry is volunteer led and runs alongside the Warm Hub on Fridays, enabling customers to complete a weekly food shop for just £4.50.
This service helps households manage the rising cost of living by providing affordable access to essential food in a welcoming environment.
In the last 12 months we’ve supported over 1500 customers with 500 food bags. Customers told us:
- “The pantry helps me financially.”
- “It helps with top-up shopping for everyday items, it helps me a lot.”
- “It’s helpful for me as I struggle, so thanks for being here for me.”
- “It helps me to add to my weekly food shop, and I’m also able to have food and see people.”
The warm space started in October 2025 after benefitted from an external grant from Merthyr Tydfil CBC. The Warm Space provides vital support to customers during a time of increased financial pressure. Open four hours a day, three days a week the service offers consistent access to food for those who need it most.
Beyond meeting basic needs, the sessions help to reduce social isolation by encouraging people to leave their homes and connect with others in a safe and welcoming environment. Attendees benefit from social interaction, peer support, and a sense of belonging, all of which contribute positively to their overall wellbeing. Meals are prepared by our Community Coach Sinead with support from volunteers. Overall, this work is not only addressing food insecurity but also strengthening community connections and improving quality of life for those who attend.
Fit and Fed sports is a national campaign tackling holiday hunger, isolation, and inactivity by providing children in underserved communities with free, fun, multi-sport activities and nutritious meals during school breaks. The Fir Tree Fit and Fed pilot has been delivered in term time promoting physical activity, healthy eating, and social interaction. By combining sport with hands-on food preparation, it encourages teamwork, builds friendships, and supports children’s wellbeing, confidence, and enjoyment of a healthy lifestyle.
Community Coach Sinead secured a free eight week session to be delivered at Fir Tree Community Centre on a Thursday after school. The session includes an hour of sports activities followed by a healthy snack that the children help prepare with staff.
Community Coach Sinead secured community funding and support to help strengthen Fir Tree Community Centre, enabling us to grow our activities and enhance the resources available to local residents. Accessing external funding not only brings in much‑needed investment but also helps us expand opportunities, build community confidence, and sustain valuable programmes that positively impact local families.
Merthyr Tydfil CBC funding has enabled us to enhance the food pantry, create a welcoming warm space for customers, and purchase a new freezer to increase our capacity to store and distribute food to those who need it most.
Adult Learning Wales support for the sugar‑craft classes has helped participants grow their confidence, progressing from initial taster sessions all the way through to completing an accredited 16‑week programme.
Multi Sports Active Merthyr Tydfil support has enabled us to deliver 144 hours of Fit and Fed multi‑games sessions, with 18 children taking part every week for eight weeks, giving them a safe, active and engaging space to play and build confidence.
Halloween was full of laughter, creativity, and a bit of gooey fun at Fir Tree Drive, as local families came together for two fantastic community events supported by Sinead, our Community Coach, and a wonderful team of dedicated volunteers.
The celebrations continued with our Children’s Halloween Party, where pumpkins were kindly donated by Forage Farm.
The volunteers truly outdid themselves, transforming the centre into a spooky Halloween wonderland filled with themed decorations and activities.
Contacting the centre:
Sinead Vatsaloo – Community Coach
- sinead.vatsaloo@hafod.org.uk
- 07936 340522