MonLife’s Passport to Leisure Scheme (PTL) is designed to make fitness and wellness accessible and affordable for residents of Monmouthshire. If you are in receipt of benefits, you may be eligible for up to a 50% discount, unlocking a world of fitness opportunities, including access to the gym, swimming, classes, and more!
Our PTL membership is designed with flexibility, allowing you to enjoy the benefits without being tied down by a minimum commitment period. We offer two convenient options for our PTL membership: Pay as You Go or Direct Debit. With Pay as You Go, you can pay for the services you use as and when you need them. With Direct Debit, you can enjoy the convenience of automatic monthly payments, ensuring uninterrupted access to our services.
Additionally, members can gain concessionary discounts on our Community Learning Leisure Courses, available at our Community Hubs around Monmouthshire. We also plan to expand these benefits to include other aspects of MonLife Services.
Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “Everyone has the right to access wellness facilities and our Passport to Leisure scheme ensures people can access the fantastic facilities that Monmouthshire County Council offers. Keep an eye on Monlife’s and Monmouthshire County Council’s social media feeds, as we’ve got some fantastic offers coming out across the year.”
Cllr. Angela Sandles
If you have questions, contact our membership team or our friendly staff at your local leisure centre.
On Friday, March 8th, 60 pupils from the Monmouthshire County Council Leadership Academy Scheme attended the Leadership Academy Conference at County Hall in Usk.
The young ambassadors, who came from the four secondary schools in the county, received leadership training and inspirational talks to help them with their volunteering work in their schools and communities.
They participated in workshops to further develop their skills and had the opportunity to network with other ambassadors and learn from each other.
Various partners from the sector held workshops, including the Youth Sport Trust, which delivered a workshop on ‘The Role of a Young Leader’ -with Street Games delivering a session on ‘Youth Voice and Consultation’. These aimed to empower the young ambassadors to work closely with their peers and help shape physical activity programmes.
Amber Stamp Dunstan from MonLife, shared her experience of joining the leadership pathway and becoming a full staff member while also working with the Welsh Rugby Union. The young ambassadors also participated in a debate following a session on communications. Led by Monmouthshire County Council’s Youth Service, this provided the young people the opportunity to share their thoughts on the leadership programme and how we can continue to improve it going forward.
The Leadership Academy conference coincided with International Women’s Day. To mark the occasion, Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Pam Kelly, spoke of her experiences throughout her illustrious career to mark the occasion.
Cllr Angela Sandles, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equality and Engagement, said: “Being able to bring our young ambassadors together at County Hall is fantastic. Hearing and seeing everyone engage with each other and learn from different experiences will allow the young people to develop their leadership skills further. Hearing from Amber and Chief Constable Pam Kelly on International Women’s Day was inspirational. Thank you for sharing your experiences with the young ambassadors.”
Monmouthshire School Swimming Programme has won the ‘School Swimming and Water Safety’ award at the 2024 Swim Wales Annual Awards.
The awards held on the 20 January saw the MonLife Sport and Leisure Department walk away with the prize following a fantastic 2023. The programme aims to ensure that school swimming is accessible for as many children as possible across Monmouthshire, a collaboration between schools and leisure to provide vital life skills.
In 2023, The MonLife swimming programme saw 100% participation from Monmouthshire Primary and Secondary schools. Over 3500 children were exposed to aquatic experiences that followed the Nofio Ysgol Framework. The programme saw a 12.5% increase in pupils achieving the Nofio Ysgol Award in year 6, with over 62% of pupils achieving the curriculum outcomes by the time their Primary school journey ended.
The programme places great emphasis on water safety, and during Drowning Prevention Week, all attendees received a bespoke drowning prevention lesson. This was further supported by the specific Water Safety session that all participants received in their first session.
Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles with students from Magor Church in Wales Primary School at their school swimming lesson.
The programme has also allowed MonLife Leadership Academy students to gain experience working in sporting events. In the summer term of 2023, Leadership Academy students assisted MonLife staff in delivering four Primary School Swimming Festivals. The festivals saw 345 children participating in inclusive aquatic activities. Festivals in Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow and Monmouth Leisure Centre’s allowed pupils to participate in a series of non-competitive fun events, including floats, strokes and woggle races.
Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Sport and Leisure Department, swimming coaches and school teachers. Providing learners access to developing skills that are vital for them to live an active life and skills that can save lives. Congratulations and thank you to all the staff running and supporting the programme.”
The Monmouthshire Local Nature Partnership, which Monmouthshire County Council hosts, will be delivering the Community Nature Spaces Project in Abergavenny this winter and next spring, following on from similar projects in Monmouth and Chepstow.
Over the past few months, residents and stakeholders have been asked to share their views on ideas for improving the area. The response has been positive, with the ideas now being developed into final designs. You can now provide feedback on the designs before any work begins.
The eight Abergavenny sites that will be taken forward at this time are:
Major’s Barn / Underhill Play Area
Croesenon Parc
Dan y Deri (Green Islands)
Dan y Deri (MCC green spaces)
The Bus Station
St Helen’s Close/Union Road Play Area
Lower Monk Street Verge
Park Close
These sites have been selected based on responses received during the first stages of the consultation and where nature and people will benefit the most.
Residents, businesses, and community groups are encouraged to visit the Community Nature Spaces webpage to view the designs and share their feedback by 19th January, 2024. The Council aims to continue managing and improving green spaces beyond this project and welcomes ideas about areas in your communities that could be considered part of future plans. To give feedback or share your ideas on community nature spaces, please email localnature@monmouthshire.gov.uk
The Community Nature Spaces Project, supported by the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature funding, aims to improve our green spaces for nature and help support opportunities for health and wellbeing. This can be done in various ways, such as planting trees, adding raised beds for community food growing, and increasing wildflower planting for pollinators. They will be places to get up close to nature and get active.
Volunteers play a crucial role in MonLife services and are essential to the local communities. They help officers deliver opportunities and events to residents of Monmouthshire.
On Wednesday, 13 December, MonLife held a Christmas Volunteer Celebration at Shire Hall, Monmouth. The event allowed volunteers from different service areas to meet and share their valued experiences and allowed us to thank all volunteers for their work within MonLife.
People of all ages volunteer throughout MonLife for various reasons, including gaining experience, building confidence, enjoying themselves, or helping others and their community. Many volunteers have gone on to full-time employment within Monmouthshire County Council services.
Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: ” I want to thank all our amazing volunteers who contribute to our work throughout the council. Seeing so many at Shire Hall for us to thank them was fantastic. Volunteers have had an impact this year, not only in economic value but also at a community level, providing support for our MonLife services and helping with events across our MonLife provision. If you want to get experience in a particular field, meet new people, or help us serve the community, please look at the volunteer options available.”
From April to September 2023, 282 volunteers participated in 32 volunteer opportunities, including sports development, Borough Theatre, countryside and working within our museums. These volunteers contributed a total of 6,289 hours, which has an estimated economic value of more than £85,000
When you volunteer, you can access a full training program, a complete induction, an assigned ‘buddy,’ and our online Volunteer Kenetic site. You will also have regular access to 1-2-1 or group support and an opportunity to meet new people from your area and across the county.
If you are interested in volunteering, you can find out more here: https://www.monlife.co.uk/connect/volunteering/
Monmouthshire County Council is recruiting new members for the Monmouthshire Local Access Forum.
The Local Access Forum advises the Council, Natural Resources Wales and other organisations on improving public rights of way and green spaces in Monmouthshire.
These are voluntary positions to advise on countryside access issues and help support improvements to local access.
Although members are appointed on a personal basis, according to their knowledge, skills and experience of accessing the countryside, we are particularly interested in hearing from prospective members who have excellent and active connections with relevant local organisations, partnerships, and interest groups.
The Forum looks to balance the interests of landowners and land managers, all types of access users and those representing other interests, such as health, access for all and conservation. We are looking for members to bring a wide range of expertise and interests, which can support Monmouthshire County Council’s commitment to improve access to the countryside.
The Forum is part of the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 requirements to advise on improving public access for open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area and to advise and assist with implementing the Countryside Access Improvement Plan. It consists of between 12 and 22 members. Members are appointed for three years. Meetings are typically held quarterly.
Amanda Harris in Chepstow during her epic journey along the Wales Coast Path. Credit @amandascoastalchallenge
Applications are now open for two new Access Improvement Grant schemes aimed at improving access at Monmouthshire’s visitor attractions or visitor related events.
The two grant schemes are funded under the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. The first is an Access Improvement Events Support Scheme, which offers revenue grants of up to £5,000 for applicants looking to improve access at visitor related events and/or to offer new inclusive activities at events in Monmouthshire.
The second is an Access Improvement Capital Grant Scheme, offering capital grants of up to £25,000 to organisations in Monmouthshire seeking to improve access at visitor related attractions and events.
Applications for both grant schemes will be assessed on a rolling basis between now and the end of December 2024 (when the scheme closes) or before if all the funding is allocated.
Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “These grants provide a great opportunity to improve the accessibility of events and attractions in Monmouthshire for the benefit of everyone, whether they are here for a day, a week or a lifetime. I would urge any organisation who thinks they might be eligible to put in an application.”
The grant schemes are part of a wider UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund project to develop Monmouthshire as a destination for all. Other planned activities include developments to improve the accessibility of the destination website, www.VisitMonmouthshire.com and specialist advice and training for tourism businesses on access and inclusivity.
Cllr Jackie Strong, Cllr I R Shillabeer, Caldicot Town Council, Chair of Monmouthshire County Council Cllr Meirion Howells, Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Martyn Groucutt, Joe Killingley, Caldicot Leisure Centre Manager and Jack Harris, Community and Sport Development Officer.
Monmouthshire County Council held an official opening of the Caldicot Leisure Centre’s new basketball, netball and tennis courts on the 1st of November.
The dual-use site will cater for both curriculum usage, with the on-site secondary school and local cluster primary schools, as well as the community usage during evenings and weekends, thanks to the new LED bulb floodlights above the courts. Bookings can be made via the website, app or at the reception in the leisure centre.
Caldicot Leisure Centre provides a fantastic base for many clubs, especially during the winter months. In addition to the new dual-use courts which have brand new state-of-the art height-adjustable basketball hoops, that cater for all ages and abilities, visitors can access a floodlit 3G pitch (FIFA approved), full-size Astroturf pitch, multipurpose sports hall, fitness suite, squash courts and a 20m swimming pool. To find out more about the leisure centre, please visit https://www.monlife.co.uk/monactive/caldicot-leisure-centre/.
Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “The new courts that are officially opening today will play a crucial part in allowing local pupils, youth groups, residents and the wider community to lead a healthy active lifestyle all year round. I can’t wait to see everyone reap the benefits of this amazing new facility.”
MCC Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement Cllr Angela Sandles Joe Killingley, Caldicot Leisure Centre manager on the new MUGA at Caldicot Leisure Centre
Half term is nearly here and this autumn there will be a host of family fun to enjoy up and down Monmouthshire.
From swimming to crafts, football to something spooktacular, there will be something for the whole family to enjoy over the week of autumn half term (October 30 – November 5).
MonLife are laying on an array of activities to keep your little ones occupied during half term.
During half term, MonLife will also hold FREE Active Play sessions at Abergavenny, Chepstow, Caldicot and Monmouth leisure centres. The ‘Play’ programme is 1 hour and 55 minutes, where children aged 5-11 can be left with our highly trained and experienced playworkers and choose from a range of activities to play, including physical play, arts and crafts, archery or wherever their imagination takes them.
MonLife also will be holding free Stay and Play sessions during half term, where children and families can freely choose from many activities including, physical play, arts and crafts, den building or wherever their imagination takes them. Please note that parental supervision is required for children under the age of 11!
Halloween crafts and games will be in the banquet hall, followed by a scary scarecrow pumpkin trail through our courtyard and towers.
Tintern Old Station offers more scary fare, where children can enjoy a spooky pumpkin trail, Halloween mask-making, and craft activities.
Welsh Museums Festival is back this coming October, with a whole week of special events and activities for all ages at museums across our sites. Abergavenny, Chepstow and Shire Hall museums are also getting into the spirit of things with Halloween craft events – no booking required. Also, have fun with friends and family at our half-term craft afternoon for kids led by the creative MonLife Heritage Museums Volunteers, Thursday 2 November 2-4pm, The Drill Hall, Lower Church Street Chepstow.
Join us at The Zone, Caldicot or The Cabin, Abergavenny youth clubs for our Halloween Parties between 4-9pm on Tuesday 31st October. These are an open session for young people to attend with Halloween themed activities for ages 11+
Take a bird’s eye view of the humans in a brand-new family show from M6 Theatre at The Borough Theatre this half term. Filled with clowning, original song and beautiful shadow play, this highly physical show uses minimal language to tell a tale about taking care, discovering what’s important and learning how to fly.
If your appetite for all things spooktacular has not yet been sated, the libraries in Abergavenny, Monmouth, Chepstow, Caldicot and Usk are all laying on themed events too.
In Chepstow, you can even search for the Golden Ticket, which will be a ticket hidden every day in the library throughout half-term in the children’s area. Speak to a member of staff to claim your prize.
Cllr. Angela Sandles, cabinet member for equalities and engagement, said: “Half term in Monmouthshire this autumn is sure to be enjoyed by children and their parents across the county. “There is so much to do and I cannot wait to hear about all the fun being had at the various spooky events.” To find out more about all the events and activities across Monmouthshire this autumn half term, visit Events – Monlife
Monmouthshire school children have been getting inspired to become leaders through sport thanks to the return of the Bronze Young Ambassadors Conference.
The annual conference took place at Gilwern Outdoor Adventure Centre on Friday 20th October. Children in year 6 represented primary schools right across Monmouthshire with the focus of the conference centred around health, wellbeing, physical activity and leadership.
Throughout the day the Young Ambassadors took part in a variety of workshops – such as mentoring their peers, public speaking, and pupil consultations – as well as practical sessions delivered by external partners. Since 2017, more than 5,300 pupils have taken part in the year 5 playmaker programme, with more than 350 then going on to represent their school in the year 6 Bronze Young Ambassador programme. The programme, which has been recognised as best practice, is now being replicated nationally and internationally – proving a platform for young people to develop their leadership skills through sport.
The Bronze Young Ambassador Programme is the start of the journey for many young people with four leadership academies established across all comprehensive schools in Monmouthshire. The leadership academies continue to embed messages set in the programme and provide opportunities for young people to support physical activity within their school and local community, whilst gaining vital volunteering experience. A clear route has been established for young people to develop their skills and gain employment opportunities through the playmaker to post 16 employment pathway.
As well as the young ambassadors, in attendance on the day were the Chair of the Monmouthshire Council Meirion Howells and Cabinet Member for Equalities & Engagement Angela Sandles.
Cllr. Sandles said: “The Bronze Young Ambassador Programme is such an important tool to promote the benefits of sport, physical activity and healthy living. It was great to see so many enthusiastic young people here in Gilwern today. They took to the activities whole-heartedly and seemed to get a lot out of the day. I look forward to seeing how our Young Ambassadors use what they have learnt today to help spread positive messages of wellbeing back at their schools.” For more information on Sport Development programmes, or to contact the team, please email sport@monmouthshire.gov.uk
