From Conversation to Community: The Story of The Jac Lewis Foundation

At Coaltown, community sits at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we were delighted to sit down with Anthony and Keith from The Jac Lewis Foundation, a local charity that Bloom coffee sales are supporting this season, they are making a powerful impact on mental health and wellbeing across Ammanford and beyond. In this conversation, we explore the story behind the foundation, the incredible support it provides and how the community continues to come together to make a difference.

LUCY: Hi both, I’m Lucy, the Digital Marketer here at Coaltown. Thank you for joining us today. To start, could you introduce yourselves and tell us a bit about The Jac Lewis Foundation and how things are going?

ANTHONY: I’m Anthony, one of the chairmen at The Jac Lewis Foundation.

KEITH: And I’m Keith, the Marketing and Fundraising Officer.

ANTHONY: The charity started in August 2019 and now we’re in our seventh year. It’s incredible to see how it’s continually growing, there’s a real need for it in our community. Keith has been with us for about three or four months now, haven’t you?

KEITH: Yes, and it’s been wonderful.

LUCY: Looking ahead, what events have you got coming up that people can get involved in?

KEITH: We’ve got quite a lot of fundraising events planned for the first quarter of this year. Just last Friday, we held a concert at Ammanford Cricket Club. Coming up, we’ve got the Three Peaks Challenge at the end of April, a few golf days in Ammanford and we have many individuals running in support of the foundation. We’ve got three men running in this year’s Brighton Marathon and 30 runners taking part in the Cardiff Half Marathon.

ANTHONY: Looking back to when the charity started in 2019, it’s really inspiring to see how many people are getting involved. It shows the love people have for the charity and reflects how many lives we’ve supported over the years.

KEITH: Absolutely. Recently, someone ran 100k around Ammanford, it took him 14 hours. It was so inspiring to see the community come together to support him.

ANTHONY: And that’s just one example. People have done everything from skydiving to organising sporting events. These efforts really bring out the best in the community. So far, the charity has supported over 7,000 people. When you put names to that number, it’s incredible. When I first set up the foundation, I thought it would be small but now it’s supporting the entire community, from children to people in their late 80s and 90s. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come.

KEITH: And when you look at our group work, from art and nature groups to walking and running groups, it all contributes to that sense of community. That’s over 2,000 hours of people’s time dedicated to helping others.

Anthony: Being here today with another local company like Coaltown, who are supporting our charity, really shows how these partnerships give back to the community. We all want the best for our town and our people. One day, everyone needs a bit of support and you can’t put a value on that.

KEITH: Exactly. Even just knowing someone is there for you, whether in a group or not, is vital.

LUCY: How has setting up the charity impacted you personally?

ANTHONY: A few years ago, we wouldn’t have been having conversations like this. Being part of the foundation has helped break down those barriers. I lost my mother last year, and I’ll admit I needed support. Whether it’s talking, watching sport or being around friends through the charity, it all helps.

LUCY: It’s so important to be surrounded by a community, they often become like family.

ANTHONY: Exactly, it’s just about having a chat to clear your mind.

LUCY: Can you tell us more about the purpose behind setting up The Jac Lewis Foundation?

ANTHONY: We know this foundation has saved lives. Suicide rates are high, and if we can help prevent someone from going down that path, that’s everything.

KEITH: Around 18% of the individuals who come to us are considered high-risk cases.

ANTHONY: We’re a wellbeing charity, but our roots are in suicide awareness. I’ve needed support myself, we all do. I’d love to see us do even more, especially supporting wellbeing from a younger age to help build a healthier, more resilient community.

LUCY: As a local business, it was important for us to support a local charity. As we move into spring, our Bloom coffee felt like a natural fit with a charity focused on growth, wellbeing and looking forward.

ANTHONY: Thank you for thinking of us. We’ve grown beyond the typical lifespan of many charities, which shows just how much this support is needed, not just locally but more widely. It’s all connected: wellbeing, work and community are essential to living well.

KEITH: One of the initiatives we support is Crisis One, founded by a young man named Gethin. It’s been introduced into local schools and has been really well received.

LUCY: Is that a support system within schools?

ANTHONY: Yes, it’s made up of trained individuals, like first aiders, who help manage crises. It’s so important to support young people early on.

LUCY: Those school years are so formative. If young people know they have someone to talk to, it becomes normalised.

KEITH: Exactly. It’s about learning coping mechanisms. Their tagline is “Healing starts with a conversation.” There’s no manual for what young people go through, but knowing someone is there helps. I’ve personally used the foundation and it made a real difference for my family and I.

ANTHONY: Sometimes, it’s the smallest action that can make the biggest difference. While we want the foundation to be here for the next 15–20 years, my ultimate hope is that one day it won’t be needed because our community is truly well. Until then, strong support networks are essential.

LUCY: When we first approached you about this partnership, how did it make you feel?

ANTHONY: It feels like both organisations have grown alongside each other. It’s an amazing partnership and what we both bring to Ammanford is unique and needed.

KEITH: We’re incredibly grateful for any support we receive and this partnership means a lot to us.

ANTHONY: The foundation wouldn’t be here today without the support of our community.

KEITH: Absolutely. It’s not just built on sponsorships and donations, it’s built on volunteers. They are the cornerstone of everything we do, helping us deliver all our sessions.

This conversation is a powerful reminder of the difference a community can make when it comes together with compassion and purpose. The Jac Lewis Foundation continues to be a vital source of support, connection and hope for thousands of people. At Coaltown, we’re proud to stand alongside them, championing wellbeing, encouraging open conversations and investing in a stronger, healthier future for our community.