That’s the scene on the ground for families coming face to face with the cost-of-living crisis.

Newsquest, along with Community Foundation Wales has launched the Communities Together Appeal, getting businesses to donate to organisations that are helping those most effected by the current living crisis.

As part of the appeal, we are highlighting the organisations that make a difference, and this week it’s Duffryn Community Link, based at Forest Family Centre next to Tredegar Park Primary School.

Duffryn Community Link is a little bit special, offering a range of support five days a week including a community café, woodlands project, child care provision, after school club, free Zumba and yoga classes, and there’s also Saturday morning kids club.

And it’s through their child care provision that CEO Joanne Satherley made the shocking admission that in Britain in 2023 kids can still go hungry.

 “Young people are getting home to no food,” said Ms Satherley. “Then they are coming to us here and they are starving.”

Duffryn holds a food bank every Wednesday to try aid people in feeding their families.

Catering for 50 families, the food bank is jam-packed to capacity, with a waiting list to tow.

In response to this Duffryn has applied a new approach, attempting to adapt to the often harrowing situation. They are setting up classes to teach families how to make meals last – cooking from leftovers and giving advice on how to make things go further.

When we spoke to Darcie Williams, operations manager, and Mary Jones, woodlands project and wellbeing co-ordinator, they explained what they are seeing on a daily basis.

“We have noticed a massive increase in young people coming in saying they are hungry,” said Darcie. “We have never had so many young children come in expressing their hunger.”

Mary added, “It is not just people who are on benefits, we are seeing working families struggle too. Everybody is feeling the pinch.”

(Darcie, right, and Mary, centre, said with your help Duffryn could expand their food bank)

Watch the video below as Darcie from Duffryn Community Link explains how much the money from Communities Together would help.

Here’s how you can help as Communities Together – A Cost of Living Crisis Appeal is launched

A major new appeal has been launched that could see thousands of pounds given to community organisations across Wales that are helping ordinary people deal with the crippling effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

Community Foundation Wales is partnering with Newsquest to launch the Our Communities Together – A Cost of Living Crisis Appeal, with readers and businesses donating money which will be given out as small grants to community organisations.

Crucially, supporters are attached to the appeal who will match donations. So for every £1 readers give (up to a total of £25,000), that will be worth £2. This is the same for business donations, with match funding agreed for up to £25,000 in donations from businesses in north and south Wales.

• Our Communities Together: Put in a pound to support our cost of living crisis appeal

(CEO Joanne Satherley, second left, said the centre is seeing a lot more hungry children since the cost of living crisis began)

(Duffryn Community Link next to Tredegar Park Primary School)

“The money would make such a difference”

Speaking to Darcie and Mary it is clear that the issues are hitting home, with the pair working full time to help families in need.

The money they get on the appeal would on expanding their food bank, running it on more days and attempting to support more families.

“Every little helps,” Mary said. “We are reliant on funding and at the moment, with the cost of living crisis and affects on mental and emotional wellbeing we are seeing it all go hand in hand.”

To find out more about Communities Together – A Cost of Living Crisis Appeal go to www.communityfoundationwales.org.uk.

To donate, go to: www.communityfoundationwales.org.uk/our-communities-together-a-cost-of-living-crisis-appeal.