Leon salutes 'amazing' Matthew's House

16th September
Club

Swans club ambassador Leon Britton has described the volunteers who keep the doors open at Matthew’s House as “amazing”.

The Swans recently named Matthew’s House as one of the club’s designated charities for season 2018-19, with Leon agreeing to become the organisation’s first official ambassador.

Based on High Street, near Swansea railway station, Matthew’s House provides a warm and welcoming home in the heart of the city to assist the homeless and most vulnerable in the community.

At the centre of the project is Matt’s Cafe. Run by volunteers, the cafe intercepts donated and perfectly edible food waste from local supermarkets and businesses destined for landfill to turn in to delicious home-cooked style meals available to all, particularly those who are homeless or vulnerable.

Equipped with first-class kitchen facilities, the cafe has a pay-as-you-feel policy which allows people who need food to eat for free, as well as giving people an opportunity to donate what they can to the charity.

Leon recently visited Matthew’s House to meet with organisers and volunteers at the charity and find out more about their work.

“It’s a great charity to be involved with,’’ said Leon. “Matthew’s House helps so many vulnerable people in our community by giving them a place of comfort and a guaranteed hot meal.

“I hope that by promoting the amazing work Matthew’s House carries out, we can help raise awareness of the charity to a wider audience and hopefully get more people to become Friends of Matthew’s House.

“I have personally signed up to become a Friend of Matthew’s House, to help keep the project running and providing services to those who need them.”

Thom Lynch, Matthew’s House project manager, said: “Having Leon and the Swans behind us and believing in the work that we have committed so much to do is a huge blessing.

“The volunteers, supporters and guests are all super excited for the help and support that will come with it. It will enable us to continue to do the work we do, loving people the best way we know how – with hospitality and hope.”

Volunteer and cafe manager, Sally Lynch, added: “It’s fantastic. I love that Leon wants to be our ambassador and support what I personally love to do - helping to make a difference to people’s lives in Swansea.”

As part of the club’s ongoing support, there will be Matthew’s House collection boxes placed throughout the stadium for the rest of the season.

For more information on Matthew’s House, including how to become a Friend of Matthew’s House, please visit http://matthewshouse.org.uk/

 

Matthew’s House

The cafe with a conscience is currently open on Sundays (6.30pm–9pm); Mondays (10am-3pm) and Tuesdays (10am-3pm).

Matthew’s House also offers hospitality and hope in other areas apart from the Matt’s Cafe project, which had already served over 18,000 meals in its 18-month life.

For example, the Homeless Period is an initiative that collects, creates and distributes ‘Dignity Packs’ to vulnerable women and women. Packs can contain sanitary towels, wet wipes, tissues, underwear, socks, deodorant, mints, gum and lip balm.

Ongoing projects also include a shower and laundry room, lounge and 1-2-1 buddy service and meeting rooms, plus an auditorium for community help groups with a commitment of making the facilities available to those who need them the most.