Spotlight Interview- Cathays Community Centre
We chat with Helene Pello from the Cathays Community Centre about their Aubegine Cafe, Community Fridge and upcomig Maitland Festival a celebration of arts, dance and music for the local community.
Tell us about your organisation and why it started?
The history of the charity began in 1978, as members of the local community set up Cathays and Central Youth and Community Project (CCYCP). It began as a completely volunteer based charity, until funding was secured for a full-time youth and community worker and part-time youth staff. Still, to this day, the community is the central foundation of our charity.
Today we are a base for multiple inclusive community projects in Cathays Community Centre.
Tell us about your ethos and values?
Cathays and Central Youth and Community Project has always valued the significance of inclusivity within our local and wider communities. Welcoming a diverse range of people through all our community projects, we have always aimed to improve the lives of those in Cathays and Cardiff.
Our Mission is:
To advance education and social welfare
To improve the lives of inhabitants predominantly of Cathays but also of the wider area
To have an anti-poverty and inclusive ethos.
Tell us why our community should become members?
CCYCP needs members to understand what the essential requirements of our community are, it is with your support that we can keep being successful.
Our completely free membership gives you the opportunity to help develop our centre and receive our quarterly newsletter for updates on what's been happening; AND you can even receive discounts at the centre.
Tell us a about your events, services and Aubegine cafe?
Throughout all of the seasons, there will always be an event that is taking place at Cathays Community Centre. We have recently hosted our Spring Garden Gathering, which has celebrated the members of our Day Provision projects but also celebrating the talents of the local and wider community with a craft market and live music. In Summer we have our big Maitland Festival to celebrate arts, dance and music for the local community.
Cathays Community Centre hosts many events that celebrate our own projects, but also, we are a venue that is hired very regularly for companies to have their own events.
Our ethos and values are fundamental to the services we provide. We understand the requirements of our community, so we establish the resources and space to provide the appropriate welcoming environment.
We have community support projects and Inclusive Day Provisions for young people that require support for a range of additional needs. We encourage an increased opportunity for these young people to be involved in social activities and to see the wider community.
Our Memory Lane Social Club is the perfect place for those affected by dementia to be welcomed into a free space, to socialise and have fun. Another really fun club we have is our Coffee Mornings, where we welcome everyone to have one free coffee or tea to have a nice chat amongst the community.
To help with the community and advance the social welfare of those around us, we have a community fridge. Accepting donations via our local giving page or in food form, we can support our community so that no one goes hungry.
If one of these services potentially seems overwhelming at first glance, we welcome all to visit our Aubergine Café. This plant-based safe space is staffed entirely by neurodivergent adults, with the intentions of offering a relaxed sensory environment.
Is there anything exciting coming up this Summer in the centre?
As briefly mentioned, our Maitland festival is coming up in August. We showcase performances of young people that have been preparing throughout summer, to show the community their dances, singing and we even show off a lively parade. It’s a vibrant atmosphere, especially when the sun is shining.
Where can we find you?
We are situated on Cathays Terrace, close to Cardiff City Centre.
You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram and even TikTok; but if you prefer the classic ways of the internet, we have a website with all the information you might need. As briefly mentioned, our Maitland festival is coming up in August.