Powys community hub which helped thousands of residents closes its door

A Llandrindod Wells community hub which has helped countless Powys residents has closed its doors.

The Hive at Temple Chambers, South Crescent had included a baby bank, a uniform exchange, children’s clothes for youngsters aged from two to 16 and a Library of Things.

But the staff took to social media at the beginning of May to say they were not taking donations and it was likely the Hive would be closing soon.

All staff were advised that they would be made redundant at the end of May.

On Friday, May 29, The Hive closed its doors.

The staff posted on social media on Friday; “So it's goodbye from the team here at the Hive, thanks for all your support over the last five years and please keep following this page as we hope to update you on any developments in the coming months.... Best wishes from Jane, Julia and Kim.”

Lots of people responded by expressing their sadness at the closure with many talking of the help they had received from The Hive over the years. Many were also disappointed that no-one had stepped up to say the hub.

It has supported families, refugees and anyone in need not only in Llandrindod Wells but all over Powys including Brecon, Hay, Knighton and Newtown.

In the last five months alone they helped 697 families and on average they have about 250 kilos of just clothing donated to them each week.

Manager Jane Powell explained: “There are two main issues – we need a new management committee with people with experience of managing in the voluntary sector and we need funding.

“We can run the service for four days a week on about £14,000 a month.

“Llandrindod Wells Town Council very kindly has given us all the rooms we need at the premises for the last two years and we have 18 months left. So its staffing costs mainly but there is just me as a manager and two part time staff and we have a big volunteer team.”

She said in early May if the Hive closed it would hit Powys’ recycling targets massively because of the amount of clothes they took in and recycled and the amount of CO2 they saved and the number of families that used then, as well as a large number of professionals for their clients and refugees who have come to the area.

She said the staff had fought hard to keep it going over the last five years and it was a shock to be told by the management committee that it was closing.

Jane thanked everyone for all their support in donating items, volunteering, using the services or just calling in for a chat.

Jane added: “As a staff and volunteer team we are determined to fight to try and continue delivering these vital services for everyone who needs it and also for everyone who like us believes in recycling and reusing children's items.

“Our team is going to try our best to resurrect the service if we can get the right help from the community and funders.”

Residents were told to keep an eye on the social media page for any developments in the coming months.