A CHARITY in Rhyl dedicated to supporting homeless and vulnerable mothers is opening its own wellbeing hub in the town’s shopping centre today (April 3).

“Blossom & Bloom” is open its hub at Unit 19 of the White Rose Centre (opposite Boots).

It will be open to mums and pre-school-age children every weekday from 10am-2pm.

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The charity will also be offering the first recycle, re-love and re-use baby essentials swap shop from the hub.

The launch coincides with Welsh Government’s review of the Child Poverty Strategy.

To ensure people in the community are part of the consultation, Blossom and Bloom is asking families in Rhyl to visit the hub to share their thoughts on what needs to happen to change child poverty and to help families in the future.

Vicky Welsman-Millard, who founded the charity in 2020, said: "Families are massively struggling in the area and we need to inform the Welsh Government what needs to happen to change this situation right now.

She added that generic benefit levels don’t cover the basic cost of living anymore, with even the income from two low-skilled working parents barely enough to afford it.

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The charity believes that mums need to be provided the opportunity to train, develop, skill-up and work part-time, and states that childcare is the main barrier for all of the mums and babies it supports.

Joanne Garratt, Blossom and Bloom wellbeing co-ordinator, added: “Life is tough for these families; money is very limited.

“I’d like to see the use of more free play/development centres for families to visit.

“The development of our next generation should be a priority here. Our children are our future.”

Blossom and Bloom’s mission has always been to help build brighter beginnings for children and families.

In the past three years, it has successfully supported more than 70 families in Rhyl, and now hopes to reach more in need through opening the new hub.

The charity would like to express thanks to the following people, business and funding streams which have made the opening of the hub possible:

  • Your Community, Your Choice PACT Funding (North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner)
  • Croeso Cynnas/Warm Welcome Funding (DVSC & Denbighshire County Council)
  • ACES small grant funding (South Wales Police & Crime Commissioner)
  • Child Poverty Strategy Community Grant (Welsh Government)
  • Welsh Water Community Fund
  • Belief Charity – funding for internal kitchen door
  • Torello Lounge, Prestatyn – fundraising donations
  • Denbighshire Leisure Ltd – donations of chairs and tables for the hub
  • Eurocell – funding of plastic fence panelling to create safe space for children
  • ICS Cleaning - Dave Gore – window clean-up
  • Humphreys Signs & Print – cost price signage and window decals
  • Barry, Lee & Gene – decorators and maintenance men