Registered charity · Cardiff & the Vale
Small gifts. Real difference.
We support families facing hardship across Cardiff and the Vale with food, warm clothing and a regular friendly visit, funded entirely by local giving.
- 2014Founded
- Volunteer-ledEvery programme
- Cardiff & the ValeWhere we work
- RegisteredCharity
Services
What we do
Weekly food parcels
Free for referred familiesA week’s groceries delivered or collected, no questions asked.
Learn more →Warm clothing bank
FreeCoats, school uniform and bedding for families who need them before winter.
Learn more →Befriending visits
FreeA weekly visit or call for older residents living alone.
Learn more →Monthly giving
from £5/moA regular gift that lets us plan support further ahead than one-off donations allow.
Learn more →Volunteer with us
Free to joinAn hour a week packing parcels, driving deliveries or visiting a neighbour.
Learn more →Corporate partnerships
On requestFundraising days, donated goods and payroll giving for local employers.
Learn more →About us
Started on one kitchen table.
Lanterns began in 2014 when Grace Thomas started cooking extra meals for a neighbour who had lost her job. Ten years on, we are a registered charity supporting families across Cardiff and the Vale.
- Registered charity
- Trustees give their time for free
- DBS-checked volunteers and staff
Reviews
What people say
Example reviews on a sample site.
“We were struggling in a way we never expected to be, and nobody made us feel judged.”
A supported family, Cardiff
“Packing parcels for an hour a week fits around my job and actually feels useful.”
Owain, Volunteer
“I can see exactly what my monthly gift pays for, which is rare.”
Helen, Monthly donor
How do families get referred to you?
Any local service, school, GP or support worker can refer a family, and we usually respond within 48 hours.
Do you only help people in Cardiff?
Our main support is for families across Cardiff and the Vale, though food parcels can sometimes reach just beyond that.
How is my donation actually used?
Donations go directly to food, clothing and support costs — trustees give their time for free and we publish how funds are used.