Gurnos Chapel Gurnos Road, Ystalyfera SA9 2JA
Trustees report 2024-25
In October 2021 CATCH was awarded registered charity status. This report covers the year of operation from November 1[st] 2024 - October 31[st] 2025. CATCH is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration number 1196127.
Charity objectives
The objects of the CIO, which are for the public benefit and to be carried out in the Upper Swansea Valley (Cwmtawe) and the surrounding area, are:
1) The prevention or relief poverty through the operation of a foodbank offering food, baby items, pet food and essential items together with linked support, services and advice to individuals and families in financial need.
2) To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.
Activities, achievements and performance
CATCH’s main activity is the operation of a Foodbank from Gurnos Chapel, Ystalyfera (open Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings) and, until its closure in April 2025, Ystradgynlais Community Centre (open Tuesday and Thursday mornings).
During the 2024-25 year the Foodbank has issued 736 parcels to 140 separate households, helping 353 individuals – 240 adults and 113 children. Many of these have been helped on more than one occasion (the table below counts an individual each time they are helped). The average food parcel contains 24 items of food. 50 of the households came to us for help for the first time this year.
The number of parcels issued showed a decrease of 23% on the 23-24 year, and the individuals helped decreased by 21%.
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Summary by month
| Nov 24 |
Dec 24 |
Jan 25 |
Feb 25 |
Mar 25 |
Apr 25 |
May 25 |
June 25 |
July 25 |
Aug 25 |
Sep 25 |
Oct 25 |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total people |
168 | 107 | 266 | 248 | 173 | 121 | 82 | 126 | 83 | 99 | 106 | 107 | 1686 |
| Adults | 121 | 67 | 183 | 174 | 126 | 89 | 58 | 83 | 58 | 67 | 74 | 87 | 1187 |
| Children | 47 | 40 | 83 | 74 | 47 | 32 | 24 | 43 | 25 | 32 | 32 | 20 | 499 |
| Total parcels |
79 | 45 | 112 | 105 | 81 | 56 | 33 | 50 | 37 | 44 | 43 | 51 | 736 |
| Total items |
1825 | 1098 | 2601 | 2540 | 2072 | 1360 | 798 | 1315 | 814 | 973 | 1016 | 1082 | 17494 |
During the week before Christmas we also distributed 45 Christmas dinner and treat hampers to the multiperson households we helped during October-December. These are not included in the December or annual totals.
January was our busiest month for parcels issued (112) and people helped (266).
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People helped
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300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25
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Reason for crisis
Where a reason for their current financial crisis is given, in 57% of cases general low income and the cost of living are cited. A further 5% of cases are caused by benefit sanctions, and 10% by benefit delays. Other reasons include low income due to ill health or disability (9%), homelessness or moving house (8%), debt (3%), sudden expenditure (6%), and job loss / cut in hours (1%).
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Analysis by household
Household make-up
Of the households helped, 41% have children and 59% have pets. The average number of individuals in the household is 2.5. The household composition is detailed below:
| Single adult | 32% |
|---|---|
| Two adults only | 21% |
| Three or more adults only | 5% |
| One adult with children | 11% |
| Two adults with children | 24% |
| Three or more adults with children | 6% |
Location
40% of the households helped are within Neath Port Talbot (34% in the Ystalyfera / Godre’rgraig ward). A further 56% are in Powys and 4% in other neighbouring counties.
Frequency of help
43% of the households helped have only received one parcel. 21% have received 2 or 3 parcels, 15% have had 4-6 parcels, 9% have had 7-10 parcels, and 11% have been helped 11 times or more.
Analysis of parcels
Household make-up
34% of the parcels issued have gone to households with children.
| Single adult | 40% |
|---|---|
| Two adults only | 22% |
| Three or more adults only | 4% |
| One adult with children | 8% |
| Two adults with children | 23% |
| Three or more adults with children | 3% |
Location
51% of the parcels have gone to households within Neath Port Talbot (47% in the Ystalyfera / Godre’rgraig ward). A further 43% went to Powys and 7% to other neighbouring counties.
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Frequency of help
8% of parcels went to households who were only helped once. 9% went to households who needed help 2 or 3 times, 14% to those needing help 4-6 times, 14% to those needing help 7-10 times and 54% to those who needed assistance 11 times or more.
Financial review
During the year we have received grants, funding and donations from a range of organisations, including Neath Port Talbot CBC, Powys County Council, Tesco, Asda and Home Bargains. Local businesses and other charities and groups have also been very generous with their support, as have the many individuals in our community who have donated items, money and their time. Without their help none of our work would be possible.
Total income for the year was £16,482.19. The main income sources were:
Donations: £1947.89
Powys CC Food Poverty Grant: £7418.61
Neath Port Talbot CBC Food Poverty Grant: £6750.00
Total expenditure for the year was £12,036.14 The main elements of expenditure were:
Purchase of food & other essential items for foodbank: £7946.38
Utilities and waste disposal: £2402.43
The total surplus for the year was £4,446.05 . However, in October 2025 we received a £4000 grant from Neath Port Talbot CBC to cover the period to 31[st] March 2026, so most of that is already committed for our 25/26 financial year.
Structure, governance and management
CATCH, also known as Cwmtawe Action to Combat Hardship, is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, governed by a constitution dated October 12[th] 2021.
Appointment of charity trustees
(1) Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
(2) In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
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The following were trustees of CATCH for some or all of the 2024/25 reporting year:
Jackie Hankins
Cathie Hastie
Cathy James
Ieuan James
Jean Liles
Beverley Stokes
9[th] February 2026
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2024/2025 CATCH Financial Statement - draft
01.11.24 to 31.10.25
The closing balances as at 31.10.24 brought forward for the 2024/25 financial year were:
| Lloyds Bank | £9,775.96 | |
|---|---|---|
| Monmouthshire Building Society | £100.00 | |
| Cash in hand | £15,717.41 | |
| Total openingbalance | £25,593.37 | |
| Income | ||
| Donations | £1,947.89 | |
| Grants | £14,168.61 | |
| Refunds | £264.86 | |
| Investment income & interest | £100.83 | |
| Total income | £16,482.19 | |
| Expenditure | ||
| Food | £7,946.38 | |
| Insurance | £607.54 | |
| Utilities & waste | £2,402.43 | |
| IT | £151.81 | |
| Misc expenses | £425.83 | |
| SPF project | £502.15 | |
| Total expenditure | £12,036.14 | |
| Surplus for 2024/25 | £4,446.05 | Note: We received grant funding from Neath Port Talbot |
| Council in October 2025 which is for food costs to 31.3.26. | ||
| Closing balance for the 2024/25 financial year: | ||
| Lloyds Bank Treasurer's account | £14,221.18 | |
| Lloyds Bank savings account | £100.83 | |
| Monmouthshire Building Society | £15,717.41 | Note: Up to date balance to be confirmed |
| Total closingbalance | £30,039.42 |