Empowering Youth, Alleviating Hardship

Struggles 2 Smiles

Struggles 2 Smiles is a dedicated local charity focused on delivering food inclusivity projects and providing support to individuals and families in need. Our mission is to alleviate poverty, offer educational opportunities, and promote social welfare within our community.

Our Beginnings

Founded on the principle of community support, Struggles 2 Smiles began as a grassroots initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity. We started small, but with the help of generous donors, volunteers, and community partners, we have grown exponentially. Our early efforts focused on providing hot meals and food hampers to those facing hunger, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Milestones

• Youth Training and Employment: In collaboration with Cardiff Council & Cardiff Youth Service, we offer training and employment opportunities to individuals with a history of offending behavior. Our programs in professional cookery and outdoor catering equip young people with valuable skills while contributing to the community.
• Expanding Reach: Over the years, we have expanded our reach to two counties in South Wales, operating numerous Hot Food Banks and Pantries. In 2020-2022 alone, we donated nearly 80,000 hot meals to those affected by the pandemic.
• Recent Initiatives: We recently partnered with the Supported Accommodation Team to provide food to complex needs clients at Ty Ephraim. This initiative has been very well received, and we continue to ensure our meals are nutritious and balanced with the help of dietitians from the Homeless Multidisciplinary Team.

Impact and Recognition

Our efforts have not gone unnoticed. We have received awards such as the Nisa MADL Award and Bupa Community Awards, recognising our significant impact on the community. We are proud to have provided training and employment opportunities, reduced food waste, and addressed food poverty and food insecurity within the communities.

Challenges and Emotions

Our journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions. We’ve felt anger, guilt, embarrassment, sadness, joy, and frustration as we navigate the complexities of helping those in need. Despite these challenges, we are driven by the compassion and generosity of our supporters and volunteers.

Future Aspirations

As we look ahead, Struggles 2 Smiles is committed to continuing our mission and expanding our reach. We rely entirely on the goodwill of our community, to achieve our goals. We are grateful for the unwavering support from everyone who has contributed to our cause, and we remain dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of those most in need.

A Message from Our Chairlady

Kate Stephens, Chairlady of Struggles 2 Smiles, expresses her heartfelt gratitude to all trustees, volunteers, businesses, and donors. She emphasizes the importance of community collaboration and innovative thinking in overcoming challenges and creating lasting change.

Join us in our mission to turn struggles into smiles, and together, we can build a stronger, more supportive community.