Stories From Matthew's House

One of the team was at Matthew’s House in September, planning events, recruiting volunteers, communicating training and setting up ready for the harvest festivals. In amongst the work the phone went and one of the team answered it. On the other end was a hungry and desperate person asking for help. That day Matthew’s House was shut but with the partnerships and friends Matthew’s House has made all over Swansea we were able to signpost the gentleman to places where he could eat, seek warmth and then reminded him of our opening times so he could come and visit us the next time we’re open. He was thankful and finished the call in what sounded like a hopeful sigh of relief.

These moments are warming, knowing that we can help even when we are closed. Building a reputation and working with others in our city is important and we’re just here to serve and love anyone who needs it. Knowing that our number and contact details are being shared to those who need it without us knowing is testament to the work of our wonderful volunteer family and we couldn’t be happier in moments like these!

One of our regular guests hasn’t seen his dad for 40 years. He shared this with a volunteer of ours, who thought that he maybe able to help this guest find his dad. With the permission of the guest, our volunteer started to make some enquiries to local businesses in the area’s that our guest believed his dad was living. One day in April, our volunteer went looking for our guest’s dad. He spoke to owners of a cafe and some other businesses locally. Then on the 1st of May, the volunteer had a phone call from the cafe owner who he contacted. The owner had Read More

Sharing the moment. Sometimes because of how we welcome people, they welcome us into their lives…. And because of this we get to share some special moments. Recently we had a guest, one of many months who shared his excitement alongside nervous feelings about moving from a hostel into a little place of his own. A moment he’s been waiting for, for a while. With this we siezed an opportunity with a food parcel and goodies to set him up with a congratulations card from our volunteer family. Sharing this moment is just one of many that we live and love to be part of! Moments that encourage us and fire us up to keep giving out the hospitality and hope we already do.

Warmth found in a dark place by charities working together!
Here is a story we had the privileged to be part of including our DIGNITY PACKS gifted to a woman suffering period poverty in Swansea. We have changed the name for reason of dignity and protection.

Charlotte is a young mother with a very bright boy who’s just started nursery and a girl in year 4. Charlotte lost her Sister a few years ago and has been very depressed ever since. The relationship with her partner broke down in 2017 and sent her into a spiral of self-harm, substance abuse and resulted in hospitalisation for mental health. Her children then had to go and live with their Dad. During her six weeks in Hospital, Charlotte failed to respond to any post. This meant she lost her Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and failed to complete a PIP application. Read More

We’re always looking for barbers and hairdressers that are willing to donate their services for only 3 hours a month.

Last month, we gave out 11 haircuts with our lovely talented volunteer hairdressers and one lady left after a full meal, waiting patiently in the queue for a haircut and told some of our volunteers that she felt like a million dollars!

Acts of kindness can lift people in ways we could never imagine! Let’s help make more people feel a million dollars.

“The staff and volunteers at Matthew’s House are friendly, supportive and welcoming. They are always keen to help everyone who visits the space and treat everyone with care, respect and dignity. Matthew’s House, and in particular Matt’s Café is a life-line to many of Swansea’s vulnerable and marginalised individuals, who can sometimes fall through the gaps in service provision. Matt’s Café and Matthew’s House is welcoming to all, regardless of background.”

Swansea City of Sanctuary