August 25 Newsletter

Cancer Research Port Talbot

It was a real pleasure to visit the Cancer Research UK shop in Port Talbot, where I had the opportunity to speak with the shop manager, Claire.

I was truly inspired by the passion and commitment shown by Claire and the incredible volunteers, who give their time so generously to help fund life saving cancer research. Every item sold in the shop supports Cancer Research UK’s mission to beat cancer, and the efforts of local volunteers make a real difference.

Last year alone, volunteers across the UK contributed over 2.5 million hours of their time in CRUK shops. Thanks to their dedication, these shops raised an astonishing £28 million in 2023/24 to support vital research.

These figures are a testament to the power of community and volunteering, and the Port Talbot team embodies that spirit fully.

A huge thank you again to Claire and all the volunteers for the warm welcome and the important work you do every single day.

If you’re in town, do pop in, say hello, and support the shop, every purchase really does make a difference.

Warburtons

Great to visit the Warburtons bakery depot in Port Talbot this month. They're a brilliant example of British manufacturing and local job creation in action.

From this site alone, over 100,000 units of bread, crumpets, flatbreads and more are transported every single day to households and stores across South Wales and beyond. It’s a huge operation that runs with real precision and pride!

Warburtons is not only a household name, it’s also a valued local employer, providing good, stable jobs and playing an important role in our local economy.

A big thank you to the team for the warm welcome and for showing me the scale and efficiency of what they do every day to help keep the nation fed!

Cultech

Great to be back at Cultech & ProVen Biotics in Port Talbot!

I had the pleasure of making my second visit to this innovative local family run business recently, where world-class research is being carried out right here in our community.

Cultech and Proven Biotics are leading the way in the fields of microbiome science, probiotics, and health supplements, and it was fascinating to get an inside look at their cutting-edge laboratories and speak with the dedicated team behind the science.

Their work not only boosts our understanding of gut health and wellbeing, but also supports skilled jobs and investment in the local economy.

Thank you to everyone at Cultech for the warm welcome and for continuing to show how Port Talbot can be a hub for science and innovation.

Margam Discovery Centre

I had the pleasure of visiting Margam Discovery Centre, a truly inspiring place right here in our community that’s championing the power of outdoor learning.

Set in the heart of Margam Country Park, this state-of-the-art, low carbon facility offers children and adults alike the chance to learn about the environment in the most hands-on way possible; by being immersed in it. From woodlands to wetlands, the rich ecosystems here provide the perfect outdoor classroom.

Run in partnership with the The Field Studies Council & NPT Council, the centre is helping young people build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong respect for nature. It’s also wonderful to see how sustainability is at the core of everything they do, right down to the building itself, which was designed by the Welsh School of Architecture.

A huge thanks to the team for their warm welcome and for the incredible work they do. We are really lucky to have such an incredible outdoor learning hub on our doorstep!

WBTA

It was great to visit WBTA in Port Talbot, a training provider that’s been supporting skills and apprenticeships in Wales for over two decades.

I was warmly welcomed by Managing Director Tyrone Emmett, who shared the organisation’s commitment to ensuring apprenticeships remain a vital and accessible pathway for learners and employers alike, helping people develop their skills and progress in their careers.

I also had the chance to speak with Assessor Paula Parvin about the routes she delivers and the crucial role that Essential Skills play in empowering individuals and strengthening our workforce across Wales.

It’s inspiring to see WBTA thriving in its 21st year. Their continued dedication to apprenticeships is a credit to the sector, and to the future of skills in Wales.

My 10th Funding Fair

I am holding my 10th annual Funding Fair for community groups, sports teams and local charities. Previous Funding Fairs have seen local groups and charities access funding of thousands of pounds.

So if you are you part of a local group looking for funding or support, don’t miss your chance to connect with national, regional, and local funders at this year’s Aberafan Maesteg Funding Fair.

• Friday 12th Sept 2025
• 10AM – 1PM
• Maesteg Sports Centre, CF34 9EB

Advice Surgeries

This month I held two very busy advice surgeries in Briton Ferry and Maesteg, where I was pleased to meet many constituents.

I was able to help constituents on a range of issues, from policy issues at a national level to local issues with benefits, policing issues and problems with pensions.

My next advice surgery is in Pyle on Friday 12th September between 3pm and 5pm at Pyle Library, Pyle Life Centre, Helig Fan, Pyle, CF33 6BS.

Details can be found at the link below:
Aberafan Maesteg - Stephen Kinnock - Labour MP for Aberafan Maesteg

Contact Details

You can get in touch with us by calling the office on 01639 897660 or ending an email to [email protected]  
 
Check my website, Instagram or Facebook page for details of my next advice surgery.