Local Community Spaces Fund – Raven House Trust

Raven House Trust has been awarded £20,000 through our Local Community Spaces Fund via Asda Newport Pillgwenlly to transform an underused warehouse area into a fully accessible community hub. The project will create a practical indoor space that can be used year-round alongside the organisation’s community garden and cooking programmes. 

The funding will support a significant transformation of the existing warehouse area, including new insulation, lighting, flooring, electrics, windows, organised storage, a kitchenette and secure access to the community garden. Once complete, the space will provide a warm and accessible environment for workshops, learning activities and community gatherings. 

Raven House Trust supports people across Newport through its food bank, furniture provision, community garden and community support services. The charity works with individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, homelessness and social isolation, providing immediate support during times of crisis. Around 2,000 people access the organisation’s services each week. 

The new space will play an important role in expanding the charity’s practical learning activities. Alongside its food bank services, Raven House Trust is developing opportunities for people to learn how to grow food, prepare nutritious meals and develop skills that can support long-term wellbeing and independence. 

Currently, the warehouse area is cluttered, unwelcoming and not fully accessible. This project will transform it into a functional indoor hub connected to the garden and kitchen facilities, allowing workshops, gardening sessions and practical learning activities to take place throughout the year. The new space will help more people develop skills, build confidence and connect with others in their community. 

Raven House Trust is one of many groups receiving support through our Local Community Spaces Fund, helping repair, renovate and improve the community spaces that people across the UK rely on every day.  

Read more about groups funded through our Local Community Spaces fund here.