We are a small group of people with big hearts for our community!
Little Lounge is a grass roots community organisation which exists to promote and facilitate the well-being of the residents of Cilfynydd and surrounding areas.
For over 10 years Little Lounge has been serving the community, beginning as a Baby and Toddler group, now it’s a multi-faceted community organisation:
‘Little Lounge: The Basement’ is a community hub created in the lower ground floor area of Cilfynydd Community Centre; seeing the potential in a disused part of the building and the adjacent overgrown outdoor area, the Little Lounge team have transformed the space into a welcoming cafe and community garden.
The Basement has become a focal point in our community, offering more opportunities for groups, workshops and connection. The Basement operates as a small cafe, serving fairtrade hot drinks, milkshakes and snacks, with free wifi, toys and puzzles to borrow and a large sensory garden to explore. In the corner of the cafe there is a ‘Community Cupboard’ offering a range of free items such as period products, nappies, knitted baby clothes and cloth nappies.
Cilfynydd Community Pantry operates from The Basement; a food distribution scheme, in partnership with FareShare; The Pantry offers a range of fresh, healthy food for a small donation, to anyone who would like to attend. The aim is to reduce food waste, encourage healthy eating and together do something positive for the planet.
Little Lounge opened in 2015 as a Baby and Toddler group on Friday mornings, run by a group of friends with our own little ones; our ethos was ‘Welcome, Acceptance & Support’ We tried really hard to create a special place for local parents, carers and their little ones. It was a hit! We soon had to create two groups and relocate permanently to Cilfynydd Community Centre.
We are known for our family focused events and activities which are really popular with local families; providing welcoming, high quality experiences at an affordable price
The Little Garden Project emerged during the Covid lockdown months. Using our Sensory Garden created in 2017, we re-purposed the space for people to have somewhere they could connect with others safely and enjoy being outdoors. We started a seed and seedling swap and encouraged growing fruit and vegetables at home.
From the success of the Little Garden we launched our Outdoor Adventures Toddler Group in the spring of 2021 and we went on to develop a large nearby allotment to create a nature-based learning site and well-being area for all ages.
The team that started Little Lounge were all part of a local Christian church called Lounge Communities, over the years our volunteer team has grown and not all our volunteers are Christians but Little Lounge maintains a Christian heartbeat at the core of all we do; that God created and loves all people equally and therefore all people should be respected, welcomed and loved regardless of background or belief.
Meet the Team
Katie – Charity Manager
Katie started Little Lounge back in 2015 as a Baby and Toddler Group in Cilfynydd. She is a mam of three sassy girls and Mamgu to one! Her and her husband Steve also lead Lounge Communities which is a local church.
As a couple they are dedicated to serving the people of Cilfynydd and surrounding areas; seeing people equipped, connected and supported in all areas of life. Katie is a proud valleys girl, Welsh speaker and singer of nursery rhymes!
Mark – Deputy Manager
Mark has been our deputy manager since June 2024 but has been involved in Little Lounge since its early days in various volunteering roles, including as a trustee. Mark came on payroll following early retirement from a long career in the Government Statistical Service.
Mark aims to be as environmentally friendly as possible and his interests are in sustainability, reducing waste and trying to regenerate positive feelings of community.
Michelle – Outdoor Projects Facilitator
Michelle is a mam, married, and has a background as a teacher and childminder, alongside experience in the private sector.
A committed Christian who loves being outdoors in all weathers, Michelle brings warmth, thoughtfulness and genuine care to her work, creating outdoor spaces where people of all ages feel welcome, supported and able to connect with nature and each other.
Our Trustees
Our trustees all live in the Pontypridd area but come from various walks of life. They share a passion for community, justice and their Christian faith.
They bring a broad range of skills and interests to the table, including environmental awareness, adoption and supporting children with additional needs. The trustees help make important decisions about the running of Little Lounge and make sure the charity grows with the original vision and ethos at the core.
Helen
Helen is a busy mam of four and married to Dylan, head coach of Ystrad Rhondda Rugby Club. Between full time jobs, rugby commitments and a young family, Helen is very aware of the struggle to balance work and family life in the current economic landscape.
Helen’s professional background is in banking and finance and she brings valuable insight to the board.
Suzanne
Much of Suzanne’s working life has focused on children who have experienced trauma in some way, and their carers. She is particularly interested in how we can build resilience, support children in their emotional wellbeing, and support parents and carers to understand and meet their children’s needs.
Suzanne is a single mum who understands both the challenges and joys of parenting, and the huge importance of community and support.
Joy
Joy was born and raised in Pontypridd. Her husband, John, is from London, and his parents were from the West Indies. Having raised mixed-race children and grandchildren in the South Wales Valleys, Joy brings valuable lived experience and specialist insight into matters of diversity and inclusion.
Joy began her career as a primary school teacher before going on to work for the Basic Skills Agency. In this role, she travelled across schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf, supporting families and providing practical strategies to help encourage and strengthen children’s learning and educational engagement.
Joy is delighted to be a trustee of Little Lounge, which aims to be a hub of support for the community in Cilfynydd. She particularly values the organisation’s strong Christian ethos and its commitment to serving local families.
Our Mission
Little Lounge is a charitable community project committed to facilitating and supporting the wellbeing of residents of Cilfynydd and surrounding communities.
In particular we aim to provide opportunities for families with young children to connect with one another and have access to high quality activities which promote their health and wellbeing.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a safe and welcoming community space for residents to connect, share skills, and feel supported in a positive environment.
We aim to facilitate grass roots innovation and creativity to enhance the lives of residents of Cilfynydd and surrounding areas.
Our Values
Little Lounge is established on Christian faith principles, that all people are created and loved by God. Because of this all people should be treated with acceptance and generosity regardless of belief or background.
We believe God lavishly gives to all people despite their inability to give back, we therefore seek to make all Little Lounge activities and experiences accessible to all. We try to be mindful of affordability, cultural and physical issues which may affect people accessing our projects.
The God of the Bible created the world with a spectrum of beauty and function, we therefore believe all people have valuable skills and abilities to contribute and should be celebrated and encouraged to do so.