RCT Anti-Poverty Network
Find out about our work to establish an anti-poverty network in RCT
The situation in RCT
Rhondda Cynon Taf is one of the most deprived counties in Wales, where over 27% of children live in relative poverty, and Trussell foodbanks distributed over 16,500 food parcels in 2024/25. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact people's lives, more members of our communities are forced to make difficult choices between essentials such as food, toiletries, travel, and utility bills.
While there are countless organisations and groups on the front lines support people facing hardship, from employability support, to debt and money advice, to mental health support, to foodbanks and pantries, the issue of poverty continues to grow across RCT.
That's why we are encouraging closer partnerships and collaboration across the first- and third- sectors fighting poverty in RCT. From improving our collective understanding of whats causing poverty and its consequences locally, to working together on projects and support, we hope to improve our collective response to hardship in our communities.
Our Mission
We have three core objectives:
- Improve relationships and partnerships between organisations working in the anti-poverty sector in RCT
- Share data and testimony to provide a clearer picture of poverty, its causes, and consequences in RCT
- Identify good practice, areas to improv,e and opportunities for collaboration
Get Involved
Does your organisation support local people facing poverty, hunger and hardship? Your insights and work are invaluable and we want to work with you!
To find out more and get involved, get in touch with us at Matthew@taffely.fooodbank.org.uk
About the network
The RCT Anti-Poverty Network was formed by Taff-Ely Foodbank in collaboration with other foodbanks, advice charities, community organisations and stautory agencies in Rhondda Cynon Taf, following the 2025 Community Conversations events in Ystrad and Pontypridd.