£51,000 coffee-cart project brings work-skills training to Cwmbran Library

A coffee cart at Cwmbran Community Hub and Library will provide volunteer training for people whose health conditions or disabilities limit opportunities to work. Torfaen Council announced the project on 30 September, backed by £51,000 of Welsh Government Economic Inactivity Trailblazer funding.

Skills alongside the coffee

Mental health charity Growing Space is running the Coffi Cart in partnership with the library. Participants will gain practical experience in barista skills, customer service, food hygiene, health and safety, and retail.

The programme is intended to help people of working age develop skills and experience towards suitable employment. It is a volunteer training initiative, rather than an announcement of paid jobs or a guarantee of employment.

What visitors can expect

The cart will sell tea, coffee and cold drinks during normal library opening times. The library already hosts around 34 regular groups, alongside advice and information services. The council says the cart responds to requests from library users.

The scheme follows a similar model at St Cadoc’s Hospital in Newport. Able will also support referral routes into the programme. The announcement does not give a direct application form, a number of training places or drink prices.

Check before visiting

The library is at Gwent House, Gwent Square, Cwmbran, NP44 1XQ. Although the announcement is dated Wednesday 30 September, the council’s current opening-hours page lists Wednesdays as closed. Visitors should confirm availability with the library rather than assume the cart is open on the announcement day.

Published library hours are 9am–5:30pm on Monday and Tuesday, 8:45am–7pm on Thursday, 8:45am–6pm on Friday and 8:45am–1pm on Saturday. Call 01633 647676 or email cwmbran.library@torfaen.gov.uk to check a visit or ask about the training referral route.