New Welsh Themed, Bilingual Coffee Shop Awarded £6,455.04 to Help With Start Up Costs
JULY 10th 2024
The applicant applied to the fund with the aspiration to open a Welsh themed bilingual coffee shop in the historic Aberdare Market, offering Welsh coffee, tea and other drinks along with food produced in Wales. The aim was to promote local and Welsh culture, the Welsh language and be a friendly place to meet.
We awarded them £6,455.04 to help with the business start up costs.
Despite a quiet opening period in January 2024, Helo Coffi is now going from strength to strength. Its compact size enables people to start or join in conversations with other customers and there is often a lively atmosphere. There are many new and returning customers. They source Welsh produce from other traders in Aberdare Market and are becoming an intrinsic member of the Aberdare Market Community.
“The funding from Pen y Cymoedd enabled me to convert an empty unit in Aberdare Market to a coffee shop and I was able to open Helo Coffi. My aim was to provide a friendly and inclusive space where people can come for food (locally sourced where possible) and conversation. Offering a bilingual Welsh/English customer service was also important to me. Helo Coffi is now a popular destination for both individuals and groups.” – Karin Mear, Helo Coffi
The Fund was established by energy company Vattenfall to benefit the communities hosting the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys. It exists to support local people, groups and organisations to invest in themselves, their ideas and their communities.
The Community Fund has a substantial annual budget that is index-linked, meaning it increases in line with inflation. As an example, this equated to around £2.5 million in 2025. The Fund will continue to support communities until 2043, creating long-term opportunities for growth, resilience and positive change.
The Fund is managed by an independent, locally based not-for-profit Community Interest Company. It is overseen by a Board of Directors with strong local connections and delivered by a small but dedicated staff team with extensive community engagement experience. We are here to help ensure the Fund delivers on the vision and priorities of local communities.
Over the next 10 years, the Fund is focusing on investment in people, places and businesses — helping the Valleys to thrive, driving bold ideas, supporting transformation and creating lasting impact for current and future generations.