Service users have described a food and support service at a Holywell church as a 'lifeline'.

The weekly event, called The Table, takes place at St Peter's Church, on Rose Hill, Holywell and is open to anyone in the community. 

Visitors are invited to enjoy a hot meal prepared by volunteers and pick up essential items from a pantry. 

The Leader: Some food on offer at The Table in Holywell The Leader - NewsquestSome food on offer at The Table in Holywell The Leader - Newsquest (Image: The Leader - Newsquest)

Mandy Jones, from Holywell, has been using the service for around a year and has noticed an increase in those attending. 

She said: "I've noticed a lot more people using it, when I first came it was around 20 people and now it can be up to 100.

"It's a godsend, it's been a real lifeline for me."

Miss Jones said she is "dreading" the winter months and feels afraid to use the heating in her home. 

Miss Jones was not the only person to share her concerns about how the rising price of fuel and energy over the last few months is going to have an impact over winter. 

Reverand Kathryn Evans, The Vicar of St Mary's and St Peters Church in Bagilt said: "I seriously worry, if I am working and struggle to heat my house, I worry about the people who have less income than I do."

The church launched this provision as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, originally under the premise of the '£2 food club'.

The Leader: The Leader - NewsquestThe Leader - Newsquest (Image: The Leader - Newsquest)

However, due to cost of living constraints the service changed to 'The Table' as an increasing number of people were struggling to pay the £2.

Fr Dominic Caldwell, Vicar of Holywell, said: "This has now become a donation, and the focus has shifted to a shared meal and access to a whole range of services and forms of support."

Visitors are also able to utilise the care services of partner organisations such as the mental health charity Kim Inspire, citizens advice, Communities for work, Groundwork, KidsBank Chester and FareShare Cymru. 

Hannah Carrington, a representative from Kim Inspire, has been coming to The Table for around 14 months to offer support, guidance and advice for those struggling with their mental health. 

The Leader: Hannah Carrington - Kim Inspire The Leader - NewsquestHannah Carrington - Kim Inspire The Leader - Newsquest (Image: The Leader - Newsquest)

She feels the event allows members of the community to engage socially as well as access necessary food and essential items. 

 

Part of her role includes offering support and signposting to other forms of help if people's personal situations, like finances, are affecting their mental health. 

She said: "If people are thinking I can't afford to live, it's a horrible situation. We want to help people, and catch it before it snowballs into a bigger problem."

READ MORE: Wrexham disability charity shares cost of living concerns

Kim Inspire is a charity which supports people to improve mental health, coping strategies, social networks and opportunities for training, volunteering, employment and community integration.

They run a variety of community classes and groups which aim to help and inspire people to improve their mental health through engagement with group led activities throughout Flintshire and Wrexham. 

The Leader: Volunteers at The Table, Jane Greenwood, Carrie Ann Greenwood, Marea Williams, Sarah Westerman, Kay Evans and Barbara SalisburyThe Leader - NewsquestVolunteers at The Table, Jane Greenwood, Carrie Ann Greenwood, Marea Williams, Sarah Westerman, Kay Evans and Barbara SalisburyThe Leader - Newsquest (Image: The Leader - Newsquest)

A volunteer and one of the founders of The Table, Marea Williams, said: "A lot of people come through the service having found their feet.

"For some people it really is the highlight of their week".

The event is run by a team of generous volunteers that do all of the shopping, cooking, serving as well as running the pantry service and talking with those who attend.  

The Leader: Volunteers at The Table, Holywell. - Marea Williams, Keith Roberts, Bethan Hall, Ann Williams, Damian Evans, Roberta Hall and Ian WilliamsThe Leader - NewsquestVolunteers at The Table, Holywell. - Marea Williams, Keith Roberts, Bethan Hall, Ann Williams, Damian Evans, Roberta Hall and Ian WilliamsThe Leader - Newsquest (Image: The Leader - Newsquest)

Damien Evans, 41, is one of the numerous volunteers that initially attended The Table as a service user and now volunteers his time to give back. 

He underwent a period of temporary homelessness at the start of 2022 and believes that The Table is very important to the Holywell community.

He said: "There's a lot of poverty since a lot of the factories have shut down in recent years and there's a lot of families struggling [...]

"There's a lot of single mothers and pensioners that really get the benefit."

The Table is open between 12 and 1.30pm on Mondays in St Peter's Church, Rose Hill, Holywell but will be closed on Monday September 19, in respect of the Queen's funeral. 

Those who would like to access support from Kim Inspire, or know someone who would benefit from support can do so by phone at 01352 872189 or via the website

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