TAVS
Hope through connection, collaboration, creativity and care
Who we are
The TAVS Centre comes under HOPE Trust Cardiff CIO. This is the social action charity for Glenwood Church. Our heart through TAVS is to engage, support and empower people in Cardiff addressing issues arising from homelessness, addiction, poor mental health and isolation.
We aim to:
- Build a sense of community and belonging and provide a safe hub for the homeless, the vulnerably housed and anyone who faces any form of social exclusion in Cardiff.
- Support those we see in an empowering, inclusive, holistic, respectful and purpose-giving way.
- See people move from a place of social exclusion to social inclusion, reintegrated into wider society and the opportunities resulting from that.
- Work in partnership with other organisations in Cardiff to reach goals ensuring there is no duplication, and making efficient use of resources.
What we do
TAVS recognises the importance of therapeutically engaging with those who attend, offering meaningful activity in a safe space. We use a journey of positive change and transformation model and this takes into account the complexity of needs faced by those we see and aims to journey with individuals from whatever point they are at.
Through our bakery, community choir, creative space, women’s space, meals and more, alongside the more practical support with laundry and shower facilities, provision of clothes and toiletries, we want to see those currently in a place of exclusion move towards a place of social inclusion, a stable lifestyle, sustainable employment and positive relationships. We want to see them reintegrated into wider society and the opportunities resulting from that.
TAVS opened in 2001 and the use of the centre has increased significantly over the years. Over the last couple of years through fundraisers and grant applications we have been and are investing in the up keep of the building to ensure that it continues to be a building fit for purpose.
Share a Life
In close partnership with Glenwood Church we have run
Share a Life. Over the last two years we have been engaging with homeless and vulnerably housed families and individuals within Cardiff and Swansea to hear personal stories so our artist can bring their own personality and character into customised portraits. By displaying their stories and portraits across the city through exhibitions, we aim to promote and encourage a positive interaction and break down the stigma with the homeless community and the public.
COVID-19
Over recent months due to COVID-19 Tavs has had to significantly change the way we run.
- We have a list of about 70 of our regulars and addresses of those that have (most in hostels). We have volunteer writing to them sending cards of encouragement over the weeks and months ahead.
- We have moved our food provision to a delivery of hot meals to 50 people twice a week.
- We are also supporting Cardiff Council at the YHA Hotel, which has taken in 80 homeless. We are cooking at the hotel for 90 on Friday and Saturday evening.
For further information please visit
tavscardiff.org or
hopetrustcardiff.org
TAVS ::
St James Church ::
St Martin in the Fields ::
CIRDIC ::
Oxford Salvation Army
St James's Church is one of several Westminster churches that work together to offer winter shelter, over the coldest winter months and is run by volunteers and members of their church community. The homeless men and women who come to the shelter, their guests, receive a hot evening meal, a warm place to sleep and breakfast in the morning.
St Martin in the Fields coined its ethos as the "Church of the Ever Open Door" and is well known for their care and compassionate outreach with the young and homeless through 'The Connection at St. Martin's'.They help thousands of people every year to move away from, and stay off, the streets of London by tackling the underlying causes of rough sleeping as well as offering practical help.
CIRDIC (Churches in Reading Drop in Centre) was established in 1990 and is recognised as a safe and welcoming drop in centre for homeless people and offers a comprehensive range of support services to all those who attend including hot meals, laundry services, clothing, washing facilities, use of telephone, listening services and much much more.
Serving every aspect of their Community and its needs The Oxford Salvation Army seek to break the cycle of homelessness and offer a full range of support services to help improve and dramatically change lives for the better.