A group of volunteers have been recognised for their contribution to the community.

Ty Price Hall in St Thomas’ Square hosted the High Sheriff of Gwent, Her Honour Helen Mifflin, DL, who handed out a group certificate to the volunteers who work hard to ensure the Meet ‘n’ Eat project is a success.

These awards are conferred on groups operating in Gwent that are truly outstanding and make a significant difference to sections of their local community. It will be expected that the groups will have the highest standards in everything they do.

The volunteers were nominated by Marianne Piper who herself is a volunteer coordinator for Wellbeing in Monmouth, Usk and Raglan and a number of her volunteers are involved in the church hall project.

Her nomination said that since the inception of the project offering a safe, warm space for people to meet and have access to food and drink for little or no charge, they make it accessible for all.

“This is all run by a wonderful team of volunteers who freely offer their time to serve their visitors.

“The volunteers organise and prodi=uce the food, set up the hall, make sure the visitors are met with a warm welcome and ensure everybody who arrives feels a valued and important member of the group.”

Meet ‘n’ Eat is a project which provides a light meal every Monday and Friday lunchtime at Ty Price Community Hall. It is a project of St Thomas’ Church, Monmouth, but is a collaboration with about forty volunteers from different churches and agencies across the town. There are no paid staff and there is no charge for the meals although donations are welcomed. Favourites include toasted sandwiches and jacket potatoes, with many fillings, cakes and fruit.

Meet ‘n’ Eat started in December 2022 as concern rose over the high cost of living and so far has served over 4,000 meals. Some people who come are facing financial problems, while others welcome the chance for company and the warm space.

The volunteer helpers work in eight teams so everyone does a session every month. They include members of St Thomas’s Church, other churches, the Bridges Centre ‘Volunteering for Wellbeing’ project, and other groups. The project has had financial help from Monmouth Town Council and from Monmouthshire County Council.

Steve Martin, Meet ‘n’ Eat Coordinator, said: “people come with a variety of needs and the atmosphere is friendly. We’re grateful for all the volunteers although we could do with two or three more, especially for Fridays”. Anyone interested can visit a Meet ‘n’ Eat session or contact Steve on 07814177220.

Meet ’n’ Eat sessions are every Monday and Friday in Ty Price Community Hall which also hosts many projects and community groups including the Tommy’s Tiddlers Parent, Carer and Toddler Group (Thursdays), Tuesday Club (fun for mainly older people), Reachout - a support group for adults struggling with various problems, and a ‘Coffee for All’ drop-in every Wednesday.