Swansea-based charity Faith in Families is delivering brand-new essential items as part of a new Multibank pilot aimed at supporting families across North Wales.
Cwtch Mawr Multibank is taking surplus essentials from Swansea to Wrexham to support people facing poverty and hardship.
Run by Faith in Families, Cwtch Mawr Multibank is Wales’s first Multibank, redistributing brand-new surplus goods from businesses to communities through trusted local partners. Based in Swansea, it currently works with 129 partner organisations, supporting families with toiletries, baby supplies, bedding, clothing and household essentials.
Now, through this Wrexham Multibank pilot, the charity is testing how its successful Swansea model can work across North Wales.
The initial delivery will support five Wrexham-based charities:
- Caia Park Partnership
- We Are Plas Madoc
- EYST Wrexham
- Wrexham Foodbank
- UareUK
The pilot forms part of ongoing conversations with the Wrexham Leadership Alliance, helping to strengthen joined-up early help and practical support for families and communities.
The delivery has been generously supported by McCarthy Group, a family-run logistics company with deep roots in Wrexham.
Mike McCarthy said:
“I saw the amazing work Cwtch Mawr does in South Wales to help and support families and children living in poverty through its Multibank operation. When it was discussed about setting a Multibank up in Wrexham, I was pleased to be able to offer our support as part of our aim to give something back to the Wrexham communities where I have lived and worked all of my life.”
The pilot is also supported by the Welsh Government.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Jane Hutt said:
“This time of year can be particularly difficult for many and this pilot run to North Wales is a welcome development. It will enable Cwtch Mawr to understand how they can work with charities in the region and the support needed. Since its launch, it has already provided over one million essential items to those most in need in the Swansea area, and I’m pleased the Welsh Government has played a role in bringing the Multibank concept to Wales.”
The initiative is also championed by Platts Agriculture, a long-established Wrexham business.
Caroline Platt, Managing Director, said:
“Bringing Cwtch Mawr to North Wales is about more than pallets and products — it’s about people. Supporting this initiative reflects our 53-year commitment to Wrexham and our belief in collaboration to tackle poverty and strengthen communities.”
Faith in Families CEO Cherrie Bija said the pilot responds to rising demand:
“Access to basic essentials protects dignity and wellbeing. This pilot is about supporting more people, in more places, and understanding how we can extend our impact beyond Swansea and into North Wales.”
Jon Waite, Facility and Development Manager at Cwtch Mawr Multibank, added:
“The cost of living crisis hasn’t gone away. Items like shampoo, washing-up liquid or bedding can make a huge difference when household budgets are stretched to breaking point.”
In the past year alone, Cwtch Mawr has distributed over one million brand-new items, generating £5.90 of social value for every £1 invested equivalent to £27.7 million of value for communities.
