Neath MP visits local community project

Neath MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Christina Rees called into her local Salvation Army last week to learn about the work the organisation does in her community.

The Salvation Army’s Skewen Temple Corps serves an area covering Neath, Port Talbot and Skewen which has a combined population of about 88,000 people.

From its hall on Bethlehem Road in Skewen, it runs a breakfast club, craft classes, a parent and toddler group, a charity shop and Sunday worship.

Skewen’s Salvation Army also operates an outreach vehicle which goes out every Thursday night to feed people who are experiencing homelessness in Neath.

Christina Rees praised the work The Salvation Army does in her constituency.

She said:

“The Salvation Army’s role is massive. They support everyone and anyone who has problems as well as people who are lonely and in need of company. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Captain Walters and Major Wolfe and learning about The Salvation Army’s work in my constituency.”

During her visit, Christina Rees met and spoke to Captain Jo Walters and Major Mary Wolfe who run The Salvation Army in Skewen.

They discussed the various services provided by The Salvation Army in Skewen in response to the needs of people of all ages and talked about the importance of local agencies working together for the benefit of the local community.

Their conversation covered issues including Universal Credit, poverty and an increase in demand for foodbanks by people who are working but can’t afford to put food on their tables.

They also talked about unemployment, job creation, homelessness, modern slavery and the impact of drug abuse and county lines gangs as well as the importance of providing support for people leaving prison.

Captain Jo Walters welcomed Christina Rees’ visit to the Skewen Temple Corps and said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome Christina Rees to the Salvation Army hall in Skewen today and talk about the issues that we see affecting people that come to her office and to us for support.  It was an invaluable opportunity to discuss these issues and look at ways that people in our community can be helped and the organisations that are there to do that for them.”

Christina Rees was also shown Skewen Salvation Army’s homelessness outreach vehicle and met the volunteers who help run the service. Her visit took place on Thursday 30 May.

For more information about The Salvation Army in Skewen, visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/skewen-temple-corps