Today we are in Carmarthen, West Wales learning about a recent joiner of the Localgiving family, Cegin Hedyn. It’s a community café, canteen and kitchen in the heart of the town, with a pay-what-you-can model. Our Head of Communications, Luke Upton caught up with its founder, Deri Reed, a chef who has worked in top restaurants across the UK and Ireland and is now proprietor of The Warren in Carmarthen, as well as leading the Cegin Hedyn (Seed Kitchen in English) team, so let’s find out more.

LU: Welcome to Localgiving Deri and thanks for the time today. Could you give us a little introduction to the origins of Cegin Hedyn?

DR: No worries, Luke, we are excited to get started with you! Cegin Hedyn began as a vision to create a space where community and sustainability meet, focusing on growing and sharing local, healthy food. We saw the need to offer affordable, nourishing meals while encouraging people to reconnect with where their food comes from. With support from volunteers and local partners, we turned this vision into reality, combining a community kitchen and an allotment project that’s driven by the principle of food sovereignty.

LU: Thanks, and please tell us something about the community you serve, and why your support is needed.

DR:  We serve a diverse community in Carmarthenshire, including families, individuals, and local organisations. Many of the people we support face food insecurity, and through Cegin Hedyn (on Facebook) we aim to provide not only meals but also education on growing food, sustainability, and reducing waste. Our community benefits from having a space where they can learn, volunteer, and share resources. Support is needed to keep these initiatives running and to expand our outreach, especially in times when people are increasingly struggling with rising costs.

LU:  What does a typical day look like?

DR: A typical day at Cegin Hedyn starts early at the allotment, where volunteers help develop a space where we can grow vegetables for our kitchen, we prepare meals using what’s grown locally, and we distribute food in the cafe under a pay what you can offering. We also host community events, and offer a welcoming space for anyone interested in learning about sustainable living. The day is a mixture of hands-on food growing, cooking, and connecting with people.

LU:  You've recently joined Localgiving, what in particular are you fundraising for?

DR: We’re currently fundraising to cover the heating bills, staff wages & ingredients for our community kitchen and basic materials for our allotment spaces. As the colder weather sets in, maintaining a warm and inviting environment is essential for both volunteers and those we support. Any funds raised will go directly toward ensuring that we can keep our doors open and continue to provide meals and activities that bring people together.

LU: As we always ask our interviewees, more money aside, what would help you most?

DR: Aside from funding, what would help us the most is access to more volunteers and skilled mentors who can share their knowledge in areas like gardening, cooking, fund raising or community engagement. We also welcome donations of resources such as gardening tools, compost, or kitchen supplies, which are essential to keeping our projects running smoothly.

LU: This is fantastic, and any final thoughts for our readers?

DR: Cegin Hedyn is more than just a kitchen; it’s a place for people to come together, share stories, learn new skills, and support each other. We’re always looking for new ways to involve the community, whether through volunteering, attending events, or just stopping by for a chat. If you’re passionate about local food and sustainability, we invite you to join us in whatever way you can.

---> Support Cegin Hedyn by clicking here.

 If you want to start fundraising with Localgiving as Cegin Hedyn have, then find out how here.