From School Kitchens to Community Tables: The First Steps for Cegin y Bobl in Carmarthenshire

Cegin y Bobl, the pioneering food education organisation based in Carmarthenshire, champions the belief that food is more than just fuel – it’s a powerful tool for confidence, connection and community change. Now, their impact is being carried forward by the very people they’ve worked alongside.

Aside from their core work with schools, they have seen a long term impact on community organisations, such as the Coleshill Centre, a Skills Hub supporting adults with disabilities and mental health conditions. What began in 2024 as a six-week Home Cookery Programme, delivered by Cegin y Bobl as part of its Cook24 initiative, has now taken root in a remarkable and lasting way.

A Kitchen Built from Community

This spring, the Coleshill Centre unveiled a new teaching kitchen, purpose-built to run weekly cookery sessions for its clients. The sessions are now led by Linda Morgans, a support worker who completed Cegin y Bobl’s Community Food Leadership Programme earlier this year.
Linda says:

“After the success of Cegin y Bobl (Cook 24) our individuals who access the service were all asking to cook! Our old kitchen didn’t have the capacity to accommodate everyone…The newly installed kitchen has been designed to feature a range of appliances that suits everyone and it has been very successful. I’m sure it will continue to do so!”

One parent, whose son’s relationship with food was transformed after taking part in the original course said,

“My son [has] special needs. This experience has given him a different insight into food and cooking!”

A Legacy That Gives Back

In recognition of the positive impact Cook24 had on the centre, Coleshill residents and staff came together to raise over £1,000 for Cegin y Bobl, including a sponsored walk. The funds raised will directly support future programmes, and the Cegin y Bobl team were deeply moved by the generosity and community spirit shown.

From Participants to Leaders

The story doesn’t stop there. Building on the success at Coleshill, Cegin y Bobl is now delivering its Community Food Leadership Programme in Llanelli, equipping a new cohort of local changemakers with the skills, strategies and confidence to embed food and cooking into their own community settings. The message is clear: when people are provided with the skills, knowledge, and motivation, they carry the transformative work forward. Whether in schools, skills hubs, or kitchens like Coleshill’s, Cegin y Bobl’s legacy continues to grow.

Building a Wider Movement

Cegin y Bobl is currently seeking additional funding to replicate this model in other centres across the county, including Johnstown and Manor Road, where demand for hands-on food education is growing.

“This is a great example of how focused, intensive work in one area can lead to lasting impact,” says Katy Hodge, Cegin y Bobl Operations Manager.

“The mission and values at the heart of Cegin y Bobl are now being carried forward by centres like the Coleshill Centre, helping to create a sustainable, community-led model for food education. We’ve seen what’s possible at Coleshill and now we want to build on that success across Carmarthenshire, and ultimately across Wales.”

What’s next for Cegin y Bobl?

Cegin y Bobl is rolling out immersive food education in Wales, expanding food leadership training, and developing partnerships with schools, businesses and community organisations.

With your support, we can get Wales cooking and improve health, food security and create the food leaders of tomorrow. Upcoming initiatives include:

• We’re now nearing the end of the Future Generations School Meals Project, delivered in partnership with Carmarthenshire Council. Over the course of the project, we’ve worked closely with schools, children, parents, and catering staff. We’re currently finalising the project report – please get in touch if you’d like to receive a copy.
• In partnership with and funded by Hywel Dda, Cegin y Bobl has completed two
  cohorts of the Early Years family workshops, providing parents with essential cooking skills to prepare affordable and nutritious meals, and exploring homemade alternatives to processed foods, focusing on postnatal and weaning stages.
• Recently awarded the new round of UK Gov Shared Prosperity funding, Cegin y Bobl will be starting to deliver Food Discovery Courses to children across Carmarthenshire.

Keep a lookout for Cegin y Bobl partnerships and events coming through soon!