Two Plaid Cymru Members of the Senedd visited Newport to see the vital work a Church and charity is doing to support homeless people.

South Wales East MS Peredur Owen Griffiths was joined by party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth during a visit to The Salvation Army base in the city centre. There they heard about how they are working to get homeless people off the street and into employment.

One man – Chris - who is currently sleeping rough and being supported by The Salvation Army to secure accommodation, stopped by to tell them of his experiences of living rough and outline the help he is receiving. 

Before leaving, the pair also visited the café and charity shop on the premises where they met with a local knitting group.

Captain Kathryn Stowers from The Salvation Army Newport said: “It was good to welcome Rhun and Peredur to our centre in Newport. They were interested to see how we work in our church as well as our Safe Haven café and charity shop and talked with some of our Knitwits craft group.

“They also met Chris, who spoke about how our outreach team is helping him deal with homelessness and working to achieve a permanent home for himself, where he will feel safe.

“People who are homeless need more than a roof over their heads, they need help to address the root causes of their situation.”

Peredur said: “I have The Salvation Army premises elsewhere, but it was good to finally go to their base in Newport and see what they are doing to help the most vulnerable in society.

“The café was bustling and provides a warm setting with hot food and drinks served at very reasonable prices. 

“In discussing their various projects, their compassion in everything they do shone through during the visit.

“Organisations like The Salvation Army are very much the frontline in battling poverty, poor mental health and physical health. These organisations deserve our full support and should be funded accordingly if we are to protect the most vulnerable in society.”

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “I’m grateful to The Salvation Army at Newport for the warm welcome this week and for giving us an insight into their important work supporting the most vulnerable in the community.

“At a time when policy makers are choosing to impose austerity on the least well off in society with swathing cuts to the social security budget, the importance of organisations that step in to provide support for those who need it most becomes ever clearer.

“It’s vital that an organisation like The Salvation Army gets the support they need to provide important services for the communities they serve.”

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