An initiative helping people back into employment by making sure they are dressed to impress has been hailed ‘simply fantastic’ by Natasha Asghar MS.
The South East Wales politician had the privilege of visiting Working Wardrobe’s new location in Abergavenny this week at the grand opening.
Working in partnership with Cwtch Angels and Monmouthshire Housing Association, Working Wardrobe donates professional clothing required for job interviews to those who need it.
This fantastic community scheme gives anyone trying to get into work the support they deserve.
Expansion is also on the horizon for Working Wardrobe with plans afoot to open in Caldicot and Monmouth, furthering the support they can offer in the area.
One key element of both Working Wardrobe and Cwtch Angels is the lack of paperwork. You don’t need to meet a criteria or fill out a form to receive help.
They believe in breaking down the barriers between people trying to find work and being successful in finding employment – sometimes that barrier is something as simple as first impressions.
Natasha also got the opportunity to donate some of her late father’s suits to the cause, knowing that they would see a good, worthwhile home.
Cwtch Angels, where the new Working Wardrobe site is based, also run a fantastic foodbank. For just £5, shoppers can get around £25 worth of food.
Thanks to a partnership with the local Waitrose store, this includes meat, fruit and vegetables – which the majority of foodbanks are unable to offer unless tinned.
There are also gluten-free and vegan options, to suit anyone and everyone.
By taking on this food from the supermarket, Cwtch Angels not only help the local community but also reduce food waste – a positive environmental step.
Speaking after the visit, Natasha Asghar MS:
“The work being done here is simply fantastic. Having to fork out for an interview outfit isn’t always feasible but it shouldn’t stop people with the drive and skills from being employed in the field they want.
“You could really feel the community spirit throughout. Everybody just wants to do the best they can to support their local people.
“It is wonderful to know that my dad’s suits are going to a worthy cause, something that I know he would have wanted.
“I very much look forward to working closely with Working Wardrobe and all those involved as plans to expand further across the county progress.”
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Mae menter sy'n helpu pobl yn ôl i gyflogaeth drwy sicrhau eu bod wedi gwisgo i greu argraff wedi cael ei galw'n 'gwbl wych' gan Natasha Asghar AS.
Cafodd y gwleidydd o’r De-ddwyrain y fraint o ymweld â lleoliad newydd Working Wardrobe yn y Fenni yr wythnos hon i’r agoriad mawreddog.
Gan weithio mewn partneriaeth â Cwtch Angels a Chymdeithas Tai Sir Fynwy, mae Working Wardrobe yn rhoi dillad proffesiynol ar gyfer cyfweliadau am swyddi i'r rhai sydd eu hangen.
Mae'r cynllun cymunedol gwych hwn yn rhoi cefnogaeth haeddiannol i unrhyw un sy’n ceisio cael gwaith.
Mae Working Wardrobe yn gobeithio ehangu hefyd, gyda chynlluniau ar droed i agor yng Nghil-y-coed a Threfynwy, gan hybu'r gefnogaeth y gallant ei chynnig yn yr ardal.
Un elfen allweddol o Working Wardrobe a Cwtch Angels yw'r diffyg gwaith papur. Does dim angen i chi fodloni meini prawf na llenwi ffurflen i dderbyn cymorth.
Maen nhw'n credu mewn chwalu'r rhwystrau rhwng pobl sy’n ceisio dod o hyd i waith a bod yn llwyddiannus wrth ddod o hyd i waith - weithiau mae'r rhwystr hwnnw'n rhywbeth mor syml ag argraffiadau cyntaf.
Cafodd Natasha gyfle hefyd i gyfrannu rhai o siwtiau ei diweddar dad i'r achos, gan wybod y byddent yn cael cartref da, gwerth chweil.
Mae Cwtch Angels, lle mae safle newydd Working Wardrobe wedi'i leoli, hefyd yn rhedeg banc bwyd gwych. Am £5 yn unig, gall siopwyr gael gwerth tua £25 o fwyd.
Diolch i bartneriaeth gyda'r siop Waitrose leol, mae hyn yn cynnwys cig, ffrwythau a llysiau - nad yw'r rhan fwyaf o fanciau bwyd yn gallu eu cynnig oni bai eu bod yn rhai tun.
Mae yna hefyd opsiynau bwyd heb glwten a figan, sy'n addas i bawb.
Trwy gymryd y bwyd hwn o'r archfarchnad, mae Cwtch Angels nid yn unig yn helpu'r gymuned leol ond hefyd yn lleihau gwastraff bwyd – cam amgylcheddol cadarnhaol.
Meddai Natasha Asghar MS wrth siarad ar ôl yr ymweliad:
"Mae'r gwaith sy'n cael ei wneud yma yn gwbl wych. Nid yw gorfod dod o hyd i’r arian ar gyfer gwisg cyfweliad bob amser yn ymarferol ond ni ddylai atal pobl â'r brwdfrydedd a'r sgiliau rhag cael eu cyflogi yn y maes y maen nhw ei eisiau.
"Fe allech chi wir deimlo'r ysbryd cymunedol ym mhobman. Mae pawb eisiau gwneud eu gorau glas i gefnogi eu pobl leol.
"Mae'n hyfryd gwybod bod siwtiau fy nhad yn mynd i achos teilwng, rhywbeth rwy'n gwybod y byddai wedi bod eisiau.
"Rwy'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at weithio'n agos gyda Working Wardrob a phawb sy'n gysylltiedig â hyn wrth i gynlluniau i ehangu ymhellach ar draws y sir ddwyn ffrwyth."
