Rural Anchor - Swansea

03/06/2026

03/06/2026

It’s UK small business week! KCC is passionate about supporting our community to thrive and we have played our small part in promoting our fabulous local traders. We produced a one off directory of local businesses and secured funding to launch our seasonal pop up markets in Killay Precinct last year, in partnership with Swansea Bay Street Markets. Our next Summer market will be Saturday 18th July. Meanwhile let’s all shop local and show our small businesses some love!! ❤️

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

Volunteers are at the heart of Swansea's summer support, and as gets underway we're recognising the difference they make across the city.

Their support helps deliver everything from holiday activities for children and young people to emergency food provision for those who need it most.

Without their time, commitment and local knowledge, many of these services simply could not operate.

As part of its campaign, Swansea Council has made almost £700,000 available in grant funding to help voluntary groups and community organisations deliver food and activities over the summer. Applications remain open, but organisations are encouraged to apply soon, with a closing date of 8 June.

The funding supports a range of schemes, including school holiday food provision, emergency food aid and activities that promote wellbeing, inclusion and community connection for children, young people and older residents.

Many of the organisations benefiting from the funding rely heavily on volunteers. One of these is Swansea Foodbank, which provides emergency food and a welcoming space for people facing hardship across the city.

Kristina Williams from Swansea Foodbank said: "Our volunteers packed food for over 11,500 people facing hardship last year. They gave their time to welcome people, make a cup of tea, listen and help with practical support. Swansea Foodbank is powered by volunteers giving their time and care to make a difference in their local community. We are enormously grateful, we could not do it without you."

Swansea Foodbank operates centres in areas including Clydach, Port Tennant, Gorseinon, Mayhill, Penlan and Uplands. Volunteers support a wide range of roles, from packing food parcels and sorting donations to welcoming people into foodbank centres and helping signpost them to other local services.

Swansea Council is encouraging voluntary organisations, community groups and local partners with experience of working in communities to apply for the summer grants. Funding is available for both established organisations and smaller groups with strong local connections.

The initiative is part of the council's vision to support our communities through the cost of living crisis.

Full details on eligibility, criteria and how to apply are available at www.swansea.gov.uk/summerwellbeinggrant.
Organisations must submit applications by 8 June.

02/06/2026

🌍💚 Great Big Green Week! (6–14 June) 💚🌍
We’re excited to share our calendar of events for this year’s Great Big Green Week! As part of the Big Climate Leap project, we’ve teamed up with amazing community groups across Swansea to show how collective action can make a real difference.

✨ Check out what’s happening and get involved:
👕 Clothes Swap – Llanmorlais & Crofty Eco-Cwtch
📅 Sat 6 June | ⏰ 13:30 | 📍 Llanmorlais Community Hall
Refresh your wardrobe for free while helping reduce waste.

🌟 Green Stars Launch – Mumbles Community Council
📅 Mon 8 June | ⏰ 18:00–20:30 | 📍 Underhill Hub
Celebrate local environmental action + learn about sustainable procurement.

🔧 Repair Café – Swansea Carers Centre
📅 Tue 9 June | ⏰ 10:00–12:00 | 📍 Swansea Carers Centre
Give items a second life with help from expert volunteers. (Open to Centre members)

🚲 Low Carbon Transport Talk – Big Climate Leap
📅 Tue 9 June | ⏰ 12:30–13:30 & 18:30–19:30 | 📍 Environment Centre
Explore practical ways to cut your travel emissions.
Evenbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1990386949947?aff=oddtdtcreator

🥗 Low Carbon Quiz – U3A Brunch Club
📅 Wed 10 June | ⏰ 11:00–12:00
Fun, interactive quiz on food and climate. (Waunarlwydd residents only)

🧵 Upcycled Cushion Covers Workshop – Iberian & Latin American Group
📅 Wed 10 June | ⏰ 16:00–18:00
Get creative and turn old materials into something new. (ILA members & guests)

💬 Inside the Climate Movement – Q&A Panel
📅 Thu 11 June | ⏰ 18:30–20:00 | 📍 Environment Centre
Open conversation about climate action—big or small, it all matters.
Evenbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1990562171038?aff=oddtdtcreator

🚴 Bike Maintenance Session – Exist Skatepark
📅 Sat 13 June | ⏰ 09:30–11:30 | 📍 Environment Centre
Learn bike care skills and support low-carbon travel.

There’s something for everyone. Come along, get inspired 💚

02/06/2026

Funding for Community Tree Planting Schemes (England, Scotland & Wales)

Grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 are available to support community tree planting projects across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund, delivered in partnership with the Tree Council, aims to improve biodiversity, increase climate resilience, and create greener places for people and wildlife.

Funding can be used for a wide range of activities, including planting street trees, Miyawaki forests, orchards, hedgerows, and trees in parks or other public spaces. It can also cover tree protection, equipment and delivery costs.

Who can apply:

- Local authorities
- Charities & other NGOs
- Community groups
- Education institutions
- Individual landowners

Projects must be located near the Network Rail network, and demonstrate clear community benefit and involvement, such as volunteering, education or wellbeing activities.

Projects must be completed by the end of March 2027.

The deadline for applications is 19th July 2026.

More information can be found via the link in the comments below 👇

02/06/2026

As Mumbles Community Council’s Environmental Sustainability Officer and Grounds Person, we were saddened to discover that a number of items have recently been taken from Norton Nature Reserve Community Garden, including a wheelbarrow and young seedlings that had been carefully grown and looked after over many weeks.

While this is disappointing, our focus remains on the positive future of this special community space. Norton Nature Reserve is for everyone to enjoy, and it has been wonderful to see a local Cub group and other members of the community making use of the site in recent months. We have been working hard to develop the garden and create a welcoming environment for people and wildlife alike. Our Grounds Person works incredibly hard maintaining our many different green spaces, making them more biodiverse and welcoming for the community.

Green spaces such as Norton Nature Reserve are important for both environmental sustainability and community wellbeing. They provide valuable habitats for nature, while also offering opportunities for people to spend time outdoors, connect with others and enjoy the benefits of being in nature.

We would love to welcome more people to get involved as the project continues to grow. Join us on Saturday 6 June from 10am–12 noon for a community gardening session, where there will be opportunities for planting, weeding and growing, alongside a bug hunt, pen painting and the chance to enjoy one of our beautiful local green spaces.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Norton Nature Reserve. With the community’s help, we look forward to seeing this much-loved space continue to thrive.

01/06/2026

01/06/2026