5 days ago
Sadness as Rhyl mother-and-baby charity closes its two hubs
Blossom & Bloom's wellbeing and development hubs shut for good on Friday (May 30).
The charity was established in 2020, and has supported more than 700 families, providing a safe, free-of-charge space for parents with pre-school-age children to attend on a daily basis.
In 2023, the wellbeing hub opened at the centre, followed a year later by the development hub, which offers a separate learning space.
Blossom & Bloom's wellbeing hub (Image: Vicky Welsman-Millard) It has attributed its decision to close in part to Denbighshire County Council's decision not to allocate it any funds from its share of the Shared Prosperity Fund which it has received for the new financial year from the UK Government.
Vicky Welsman-Millard, the charity's founder, said in a joint statement with its board of trustees: 'After five extraordinary years, Blossom & Bloom staff team now make their way to continue their careers within other organisations.
'We would like to thank them all for their hard work and commitment over the years and for staying with us until our last day.
'This has made continuing our wellbeing services possible over the last few months and has provided us time to put together some legacy opportunities for local mums, babies and families.
'Women lift women, and when they are given opportunities to come together, to celebrate each other and offer mutual support, magic happens.'
Mrs Welsman-Millard told the Journal her charity received £129,688.09 from Denbighshire County Council's share of the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund in 2023-24, and £119,381.20 in 2024-25, but nothing for 2025-26.
This is the third and final financial year when SPF funding will be distributed.
The council said its decision not to allocate funds to Blossom & Bloom for this year was due to an 'overall reduction in Shared Prosperity Fund funding'.
A public meeting was held in Rhyl regarding the charity's future in May, while a petition was also set up to try to save it.
Blossom & Bloom's development hub (Image: Vicky Welsman-Millard) The charity's closing statement added: 'We've seen the impact of empowering women to value themselves and to achieve - personally, professionally and within their communities.
'Mothers with babies and young children are the heartbeat of our community. They are our future, and together they offer immense social value when recognised and supported.
'We have challenged the negative opinions and headlines surrounding young mums, single parent families and mums who are struggling with the parenting journey, and we've shown that with care, connection and opportunity they can thrive.
'Sadly, poverty is the headline economic marker of our town, and the poverty trap is real for so many families locally.
'Our delivery model has built communities, friendships, hope and prosperity.
'Whilst funding constraints close our current much-needed Blossom & Bloom wellbeing services, we are hoping that our model and vision for local families is adopted by statutory services moving forward.
'The team all leave the charity in a paid capacity with fierce pride celebrating the work done, time spent and differences made to hundreds of local families.'
A public meeting was also held in Rhyl regarding the charity's future in May. (Image: Submitted) Numerous parents who used Blossom & Bloom's hubs shared their sadness at the closures when the news initially broke in early April.
Ebonie Hitchen said the charity 'made me the person I am today' and helped her 'achieve so much', while Laura-Jayne Clark said she was 'heartbroken' and 'extremely disappointed' by the news, having benefited from Blossom & Bloom's 'astonishing' work.
The charity's closing statement added: 'Our message to mums: you must never stop learning, about yourself, your family, how the world works through other people's eyes and never stop indoors feeling sad or lonely for more than 48 hours, never stop pushing yourself forward, accessing education and training and creating a family life you are proud of.
'The poverty trap is real. It doesn't just hold you; it reaches for your children and theirs. See it for what it is: a trap designed to keep you small. But you are not small.
'You are the mothers who've grown with us for five years. Every connection is making a difference, every skill gained and qualification earned, every door pushed open that's you breaking chains for generations.
'To every mother: stay connected. Isolation keeps us down, but together, we move mountains.
'With boundless love and absolute belief in your power, happy mums are the best mums.'
