Councillors back Matthew’s House with festive donation

Matthew’s House, based on High Street, welcomed councillors David Phillips, Fiona Gordon, Hannah Lawson and Patience Bentu who presented a £600 donation from their community budget.

The charity said the money will go towards turkey, trimmings and treats to ensure nobody is left without a place to go on Christmas Day and the days around it.

More than meals

Matthew’s House, led by Project Leader Thom Lynch, opens three days a week and welcomes on average 119 people — serving around 700 meals weekly.

The charity said that since opening its doors, it has provided more than 230,000 meals to those in need.

It added that visitors have also benefitted from over 1,500 Buddy Support Sessions, more than 1,100 professional advice conversations, thousands of dignity packs and emergency items, and everyday essentials such as showers, laundry and haircuts.

Powered by volunteers

Matthew’s House said its work is powered by 151 active volunteers, who together have contributed more than 107,000 hours of service. Their dedication is especially evident in the run‑up to Christmas, when the café becomes a lifeline for those who might otherwise feel forgotten.

Councillors praised the volunteers’ commitment, saying the organisation of the project was “impressive to say the least.”

A festive welcome

During their visit, councillors enjoyed catching up with Thom and his team and seeing the redesigned outdoor space in use, making the café even more inviting.

Matthew’s House said the donation would help ensure nobody feels they’ve nowhere to go over Christmas, with a proper festive spread of turkey, trimmings and treats.

How you can help

Matthew’s House says every bit of support makes a difference. Donations help provide food, dignity packs and essential services for those who need them most.

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Swansea Council leader ranked second on Labour’s Senedd candidate list for Gŵyr Abertawe

Labour sets out its order for Gŵyr Abertawe

Welsh Labour has confirmed the order of its candidates for Gŵyr Abertawe, one of the 16 new “super constituencies” that will elect six members each at the next Senedd election.

The list is headed by Mike Hedges MS, the long‑standing representative for Swansea East, with Rob Stewart placed second. Rebecca Fogarty, a West Cross councillor and newly appointed cabinet member, is ranked third, followed by Rebecca Francis‑Davies, daughter of cabinet member Robert Francis‑Davies.

Also on the list are Sara Faye, political advisor to Julie James MS who is not standing in the next election; Kemba Hadaway‑Morgan, a trade unionist, member of Race Council Cymru and trade union representative on several Welsh Government committees; Patience Bentu, a Swansea councillor for Castle Ward and member of the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority, who has written about “the missing voices in Welsh politics and the need for diverse candidates for the Senedd election.”; and Victoria Holland a councillor for Pontlliw on Swansea Council.

A new system changes how votes count

The 2026 election will be the first under a new proportional voting system. Voters will no longer choose an individual candidate, but instead cast their ballot for a party. Each party’s candidates are then elected in the order they appear on the ranked list, depending on how many seats that party wins.

That means in Gŵyr Abertawe, a vote for Labour will first count towards electing Mike Hedges. If Labour secures enough support for a second seat, Rob Stewart would follow. Candidates further down the list would only enter the Senedd if Labour’s share of the vote is high enough to win additional seats.

Polls suggest two Labour seats

The latest Senedd polling, reported by Swansea Bay News in October, projected that in Gŵyr Abertawe Reform UK would win three of the six seats, Labour two, and Plaid Cymru one.

If that projection holds, it would mean Hedges and Stewart are the only Labour candidates elected in the constituency, underlining the significance of Stewart’s second‑place ranking.

Rivals already in the race

Other parties have also begun setting out their lead candidates. The Welsh Conservatives have named Tom Giffard MS as their top candidate, while the Green Party has selected Swansea councillor Chris Evans. The Liberal Democrats have announced Will Thomas as their lead candidate for Swansea and Neath.

Together, these announcements mean the contest in Gŵyr Abertawe is already taking shape, with party leaders and councillors positioning themselves for the first election under the new system.

What happens next

Labour’s rankings remain provisional until endorsed by the party’s Welsh Executive Committee. Once confirmed, the lists will determine the order in which candidates are elected, depending on the party’s share of the vote.

For voters in Swansea and Gower, the change means the focus will be less on individual personalities and more on how each party performs overall.

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