Matthew’s House shortlisted in the “Making a Difference” category after public recognition across Swansea
We are incredibly thankful and honestly pretty humbled to share that Matthew’s House Swansea has been named a Top Three Finalist in the “Making a Difference” category at the Swansea Life Awards 2026 sponsored by AU Vodka.
For a project that began just nine years ago as a simple idea and a hope, this moment feels incredibly special.
Matthew’s House was founded on a belief that hospitality, consistency and community could help bring hope to people facing homelessness, addiction, poverty, poor mental health and isolation across Swansea. Since then, what started as a dream inside The Hill Church has grown into a daily community hub powered by staff, volunteers, supporters, local businesses, churches and partnerships from across the city.
The thing that makes this recognition even more meaningful is that we did not even realise the process was happening. While the nominations and voting were taking place, our team and volunteers were simply doing what they always do. Serving meals. Supporting guests. Training volunteers. Building projects. Listening to people’s stories. Creating safe spaces. Walking alongside people in difficult seasons.
Then the email arrived.
To discover that people across Swansea had recognised and voted for Matthew’s House in this way genuinely meant a huge amount to us.
A recognition shared across the whole Matthew’s House family
This recognition does not belong to one person. It belongs to an entire community of people who have helped shape Matthew’s House over the years.
It belongs to the volunteers who faithfully show up week after week.
It belongs to the guests who trust us in vulnerable moments.
It belongs to churches, funders, supporters and local businesses who continue to stand alongside us.
It belongs to the city of Swansea.
Over the years Matthew’s House has grown to include multiple expressions of support including Matt’s Café, Matt’s Laundry, Matt’s Showers, Matt’s Buddies, Matt’s Community Choir, Greenhill Gardens and Hope in Swansea, all built around a simple vision of practical support, dignity and hope.
Today more than 160 volunteers help power the project and hundreds of people every week walk through the doors looking for food, friendship, advocacy, support or simply a safe and welcoming place to sit.
Celebrating the good happening across Swansea
One of the things we love most about the Swansea Life Awards is the opportunity to celebrate the incredible people and organisations doing good across our city.
There are so many brilliant charities, community groups, businesses and individuals making a difference every single day across Swansea and we are genuinely grateful to simply be part of that wider story.
Community collaboration has always been central to Matthew’s House. We believe Swansea is strongest when people work together and support one another, and this finalist recognition feels like a reflection of that shared spirit across the city.
Looking ahead to the Swansea Life Awards 2026
We are now looking forward to attending the Swansea Life Awards evening, celebrating alongside so many inspiring people and hearing even more stories that deserve to be championed.
Whether we win or not, being recognised as a finalist already feels incredibly precious to us.
To everyone who has supported Matthew’s House over the last nine years, thank you.
Your kindness, encouragement and belief in what we do continues to help hope grow across Swansea every single day.
For more information about Matthew’s House, volunteering, supporting the project or becoming a Friend of Matthew’s House, visit:
https://matthewshouse.org.uk/
Together, we continue to build hospitality and hope in Swansea.