Paula sets out her plans for Aberdare

AN AMBITIOUS South Wales woman has been outlining her plans to expand the range of services her church is providing for the community of Aberdare.

Captain Paula Hubbard was appointed to run The Salvation Army’s church in the town in December 2018 and is already aiming to open an after-school club and a youth café.

Paula is also eventually hoping to open a charity shop and is now organising an open day so that local people can come and find out more about Aberdare’s Salvation Army.

“Many of the people in this area who need support are often sent to The Salvation Army because we run a foodbank, but very often I’ve noticed that their needs are much more than just putting food on their tables”, said Paula.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of the people who come to us about the range of support that we can offer to them, such as the chance to meet and make new friends at our community coffee and lunch group which we run each Tuesday, or our family worship on Sundays.

“But I’m also interested in developing new programmes to support the needs of local people – such as an after-school club to help working parents, or a café where local young people can hang out with each other.  

“It is indeed very exciting times for the Salvation Army in Aberdare. I have always had a heart for the South Wales Valleys and I feel I have come home again”, she added.

Paula is originally from Hertfordshire but has spent the last 15 years working in communities in south Wales including Senghenydd and Splott in Cardiff and lists her hobbies as walking, knitting and making dolls. 

The Salvation Army in Aberdare needs volunteers to help run the foodbank. 

Please ring 01685 886 145 or email paula.hubbard@salvationarmy.org.uk for further details. 

From its hall on Wind Street, The Salvation Army in Aberdare has a breakfast baps session at 10.30am on Sundays, followed by family worship at 11am.

On Tuesday mornings at 10.30am there’s a community café and lunch with a main course and desert available for £3.

On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons there’s a foodbank operating from the hall and on Wednesday afternoons there’s a ‘Getting to know your bible’ session.

A parent and toddler group takes place between 9am and 11.30am on Thursdays. It costs £1.50 per family with juice and a snack for little ones and tea or coffee and biscuits for grown-ups.