Joel Hamer - Monlife - Page 4

Register now to vote in May, TikTok star reminds Monmouthshire’s young people

Register now to vote in May, TikTok star reminds Monmouthshire’s young people

Monmouthshire County Council’s MonLife Youth Service team have been out in schools across Monmouthshire to promote the up-coming elections. So far they’ve visited Caldicot and Abergavenny comprehensive schools and plan to make their way to Monmouth and Chepstow before the Easter holidays.

At King Henry School VIII in Abergavenny the team were joined by Welsh TikTok Star Lewis Leigh. @Lewisleighh’s TikToks with his nan currently have 1.6million followers –  to create some short clips to encourage young people to register to vote.

The Youth Services sessions have shown that Monmouthshire’s young people are keen to get involved and are interested in knowing more about the basics of the elections and the process. The Youth Services team are planning an online session on Wednesday 13th April for young people 14-25 who are interested in finding out more. They team will be joined by the Youth Council to discuss topics including ‘what is a local election’, ‘how can I take part’ and ‘where can I get information on my ward area and what members will be standing in my area’. If you are under 18 and would like to be involved in the discussion apply via this link https://forms.office.com/r/d7Rm49SBQ9

In this year’s elections, on 5th May, 16 and 17 year-olds will be able to take part but it’s essential that they register to vote before 14th April 2022.  From the age of 14 young people can register to vote here:

https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Case Study: Green Infrastructure through Section 106

Objective:

Develop and / or improve community facilities and various open spaces in Monmouthshire via Section 106 funding.

Implementation:

Funding known as Section 106 (S106) can be used to develop and / or improve community facilities and various open spaces. This funding has been secured through a planning obligation request which is a deed or agreement attached to the land that is the subject of a planning permission. Contributions secured through planning obligations are used to mitigate or compensate for the negative impacts of a development. As a result, MonLife’s GI team carried out the following projects:

The Caldicot Corridor Improvements project – Aimed to create enhancements along Woodstock way and Newport road in Caldicot.

Caldicot GI enhancement project – Green Infrastructure (GI) improvements in the eastern part of Caldicot town as part of the Council’s Green Connections project, made along a selection of green route ways and in parks and amenity spaces in Caldicot which form important Active Travel routes through the town.

Caldicot Castle Country Park Pollinators project – Aimed to deliver a grassland enhancement and tree planting scheme. The project delivered a grass cutting plan to maximise wildflower meadows at the site and included ‘over-seeding’ of some areas with native wildflower seed.

The Monmouth Community Nature Spaces project – Complimented the WG Local Places for Nature funding to deliver a total of 11 significantly enhanced greenspaces. The scheme will also result in a reduction in the use of pesticides across the area. Local interest groups have been involved in the site development and are keen to undertake tree and food growing once the sites are complete.

Link Road Corridors Enhancement project (Monmouth) – Fully funded S106 project delivering species and habitat management and enhancement to compensate for loss of habitat to facilitate development nearby.

Results

The Caldicot Corridor Improvements project:

  • – 31 trees, 40 fruit trees, 100 bee friendly shrubs, 4 climbing plants, 1685 indigenous hedgerow plants, 8 sacks of daffodils, 20 trays of pollinator friendly bedding plants.
  • – 100 volunteer hours ( Keep Caldicot Tidy, Caldicot in Bloom, Keep Wales Tidy, Caldicot Castle Community Garden, Local Sustrans rangers, Caldicot Comprehensive School)

Caldicot GI enhancement project:

Caldicot Castle Country Park Pollinators project:

Caldicot Country Park Grassland Management
Caldicot Country Park tree planting
Nature flourishing in the region
Natural Fungi growing in the region

The Monmouth Community Nature Spaces project :

Figure 1: Significant tree planting has taken place across the area including at the Hendre Close open space where a tree nursery will also be located
Figure 2: Tree shrub and hedge planting has been complemented by pollinator plants and wildflower seed to deliver a more diverse space including wild play

11 sites improved for pollinators

9 sites with improved mowing practices

11 areas of pollinator planting

11 tree planting sites

9 areas of community orchard planting

3 community food growing beds

1 tree nursery

11 Improved seating areas

Link Road Corridors Enhancement project (Monmouth)

– 0.4ha grassland /scrub to maintain and enhance grassland species; supporting habitats for slow worm & dormice.

– 1.3ha woodland management supporting a variety of species of breeding birds

– Installation and monitoring of 44 dormice boxes and 2 reptile refugia.

– The scheme involved the Building Bridges group (young people with additional needs) to make dormouse boxes and undertake nut searches in the woodland.

Case Study: Ladies Stronger Together

Objective:

Ladies Stronger Together was developed to encourage women to engage with fitness and wellbeing. Several studies proved that women reduced exercise much more frequently than comparison to their male counterparts. Many barriers were highlighted such as; child care, confidence, finance, times, expectations and unknown. The ladies Stronger was designed to reduce barrier by providing  a low cost taster of a variety of fitness classes . Ultimately, the main objective was to create a support system for women and therefore create friendships!

Implementation:

The ladies Stronger Together program was introduced in 2018 as an 8 week block booking and has since seen a wide variety of activity classes provided to it’s members.

In 2018 the group encountered many different activities: including kettlebells, circuits, core work and tai chi. Each year since, the schemes has continues to follow an 8 week block with each week offering a different activity. Each year, our groups have seen a range of different ages and backgrounds. At the start of each program we start with some icebreakers, as everyone starts rather quiet and not all the group know each other. Therefore, the group introduces themselves and we ask the reasons for their participation. The majority of the time we saw members wanting to try fitness after not keeping active for some time. Others wanted to  have a bit of time out from a busy family /work life and whilst others wished to lose weight.

After that, we discuss the layout of the sessions with the groups so they know about the different sessions they will be taking part in each week. The latest layout included:

  • SESSION 1: Introduction/ icebreakers
  • SESSION 2: Circuit Class
  • SESSION 3: Tai Chi
  • SESSION 4: Stretch and Tone
  • SESSION 5: Couch to 5k Introduction
  • SESSION 6: Box-fit
  • SESSION 7: Positive Mindset Session
  • SESSION 8: Review

The driving force behind each session is that of wellbeing. Within these sessions the topic of well-being is frequently discussed as we looked to open dialogue about how our minds react to physical exercise and the importance of taking time out in a busy day to unwind . As a results, throughout the course we ask participants to do some work with the team of life framework and were given gratitude journals to use during the week to write out what they are grateful for each day. Each session also ended on a mindful mediation to celebrate mindful Mondays.

Results:

This project has grown each year since it’s inception in 2018, with last year seeing a particularly large increase in members to the scheme:

2018/19: 15 women introduced to different fitness opportunities and create new habits.

2019/20: 17 women introduced to different fitness opportunities and create new habits.

2020/21: 45 women too part in the scheme whilst also creating a partnership with Mind Monmouthshire. This has led to many events and sign posting for members new and old.

Over this time, members have frequently given feedback relating to creating good friendships and improving both health and well being. Some have even gone on to get involved in the local park run together whilst others have became fully pledged fitness members, attending yoga and Pilates frequently.

Leisure and Physical Activity Strategy

Leisure and Physical Activity Strategy

MonLife together with Monmouthshire Council are developing a Leisure and Physical Activity Strategy which is a strategic review of the delivery of our physical activity, leisure, wellbeing and sport service provision across Monmouthshire.

It is widely recognised, that strategically directed physical activity, leisure, wellbeing, sport services and facilities can have a significant and positive impact on helping communities:

  • Connect
  • Recover and reinvent from the pandemic;
  • Provide positive experiences for children and young people;
  • Improve health & wellbeing;
  • Increase active environments.

This strategy will seek to help us set the future direction for MonLife Active by improving access to and developing future facilities for sport and physical activity whilst also ensuring we continue to meet our business aims of:

  • Enriching people’s lives through participation and activity.
  • Building strong communities in Monmouthshire.

The strategic review approach will follow the structure, set out below;

  • Stage 1 – Outcomes – Developing shared local outcomes for Monmouthshire
  • Stage 2 – Insight – Understand the community in Monmouthshire;
  • Stage 3 – Interventions – Identify how the outcomes can be delivered sustainably;
  • Stage 4 – Commitment – Secure investment and commitment to outcome delivery.

As part of this strategy process, it is important that we understand and consider the views of the community. We invite you to take part in a survey to help us understand the barriers that may prevent you from being physically active and how we can help overcome these.

You can complete our survey here:

WELSH LINK

ENGLISH LINK

Case Study: Monmouthshire Under 5s Provision

Objective:

Utilise funding to provide young children with opportunities to engage in various sports and physical activities across Monmouthshire.

Implementation:

Since January 2022, MonLife Sport Development have co-ordinated and delivered an extensive foundation phase/TOTS provision aimed at young children aged between 0-5 years old across the whole of Monmouthshire. This provision has provided young children the opportunity to engage in various sports and physical activities, many of whom were engaging in physical activity for the first time. This project has been facilitated through a collaborative effort of a wide range of service areas within MonLife and MCC including our Sport Development Team, Leisure Centres, Flying Start, and our Early Years teams. The overarching aim of this project has been to provide physical activity opportunities for young children who due to the Covid – 19 pandemic have had their opportunities reduced during this important stage of their development. Below is a summary of the project with headline figures and feedback that demonstrates the impact of the offer provided to young children across Monmouthshire.

TMG Tots Sessions

MonLife’s four Leisure Centre’s have been providing free accessible opportunities for children aged 3 – 5 years old to attend an 8 week block of Multi Skills Sport sessions. Over 40 children have been engaged in the sessions in which children have been taught fundamental movement skills through fun and inclusive activities delivered by MonLife staff. The children attending these sessions have been allocated spaces through Flying Start and Early Years services we have been working closely with. Each child that has been signed up for the session has been allocated a MonLife membership card, which in turn has enabled parents’ access to our Clarity live program which will display the children’s achievements. This will also provide data for flying start around the physical competencies of the children and track their performance.

Bespoke Parent and Child Swimming Sessions

An authority wide approach has been taken to provide Parent and Child Swimming sessions for allocated families within Monmouthshire. These bespoke Swimming sessions have been provided for children as young as 6 months old as an opportunity to experience the water for the first time and build their confidence with the supervision of parents and Swimming Instructors. These sessions across the authority have continued to demonstrate the partnership with Flying Start and has helped support children with a barrier to entry into our Aquatics pathways. Three of four MonLife Leisure Centre’s have co-ordinated the delivery of a Bubbles and a Splash session, with 65 children targeted through the provision. Abergavenny Leisure Centre will be launching their provision over the upcoming weeks.

Flying Start Physical Activity Sessions 

The Sport Development team have been delivering a series of physical activity sessions focused on fundamental skill development and physical literacy messages for Flying Start and Early Years settings across Monmouthshire. The team have visited 31 Nursery settings over a 4-week period to deliver 4 sessions of physical activity, in which sessions have been devised to cover 4 themes: week 1 safari, week 2 Nature, week 3 seaside and week 4 farm animals. The sessions that have been delivered encompass elements of the new curriculum where children will be able to explore decision making, physical movement, healthy eating and mindfulness. Through the delivery within these pre – school settings over 500 children have had the opportunity to engage within the sessions.

Results:

Please see a few of the testimonials we have recived as a results of this project:

“I was surprised at how well my child has managed to grasp the concept of healthy eating at such a young age (aged). We now continue the good work at home and discuss food options more than we ever did before” – Parent.

“I feel like this is such a great initiative from MonLife, the Physical Literacy sessions will help children and their parents to make healthier choices and set the path to a healthier lifestyle” – Parent.

“These sessions have provided excitement for the children, encouraging their confidence to develop both in and out of the sessions. These sessions have also given the staff a variety of new ideas for physical activities that we can implement at the setting. It also provided the children to get out of their usual learning environment and change their routine”. – Early Years Setting.

A look inside Abergavenny’s newest youth centre

Opening on Friday 4th March, The Cabin is a safe space for 11-25 year olds to socialise, meet new friends and talk about any issues, with help from Monmouthshire County Council’s Youth Service.

Prior to its replacement, The Cabin had been very small with limited capacity, and was not fit for purpose. With significant help and support from Abergavenny Town Council and Monmouthshire County Council, funding for the removal and replacement of the existing Cabin with a more fit-for-purpose structure was provided to use as a youth centre, with brand new equipment and activities being provided by Monmouthshire Housing.

The Cabin acts as a hub for young people to gain information such as sexual health, addiction, relationships, to informally meet peers and to take part in recreational activities. Following its refurbishment, The Cabin has a larger capacity, with features including comfortable areas, TVs, game consoles and a pool table.

The Youth Workers that reside at The Cabin carry out important support for Monmouthshire’s young people on many issues, such as employability, youth homelessness, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health, self-harm, and sexual harassment. The key purpose of Youth Work is to enable all young people aged 11-25 years old to develop holistically through a range of activities and opportunities. Youth Work supports young people’s personal, social and educational development, empowering them to develop their voice and influence, and supports them to reach their full potential.

This has been made easier due to The Cabin’s refurbishment, as there is now a quiet room for these personal and private conversations. Monmouthshire Youth Service’s Shift project, which supports young people aged 11-25 with mental health and emotional wellbeing support needs, will also operate out of this room.

Councillor Lisa Dymock, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Social Justice, said: “The refurbishment for The Cabin is such fantastic opportunity for young adults in Monmouthshire to have a safe and secure place to, not only have fun, but to get any support that is needed. Our Youth Service have done an excellent job in creating this safe space for 11–25-year-olds, and I am looking forward to seeing how much The Cabin will positively affect these young adult’s lives.”

Youth Work is primarily based on a voluntary relationship between young people and Youth Workers, where young people choose to take part and are involved in the decision-making, design, and delivery of a service to meet their needs.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Youth Work takes a person-centred, rights-based approach which works to the Five Pillars of Youth Work in Wales, where young people who access the service have opportunities for learning that are Educative, Expressive, Empowering, Participative and Inclusive.

Drop-in sessions will be available at The Cabin every Tuesday (3-8pm), Wednesday (3-8pm) and Friday (3-6pm).

For more information, please visit: Youth Service – Monlife

Youth-led Museum Placement Opportunities

Ydych chi rhwng 18 a 25 oed?

Rydym yn edrych am bobl frwdfrydig i’n helpu i wella’r ffordd yr ydym yn cynnwys pobl ifanc wrth lunio amgueddfeydd yn Sir Fynwy.

Fel rhan o gynllun Gaeaf llawn Lles Llywodraeth Cymru, rhaglen o ddigwyddiadau a gweithgareddau a gaiff eu harwain gan bobl ifanc ar gyfer pobl ifanc, rydym yn edrych am ddau person 18-25 oed ar gyfer prosiect cyfnod cyfyngedig i gyfrannu at wella’r ffordd yr ydym yn cynnwys pobl ifanc wrth lunio amgueddfeydd yn Sir Fynwy.

Bydd y lleoliadau hyn yn cael eu talu, ar gyfradd o (£100/diwrnod), a gyllidir yn uniongyrchol gan Ffederasiwn Amgueddfeydd ac Orielau Cymru (nid Cyngor Sir Fynwy). Cynhelir y lleoliadau hyn rhwng 9 a 31 Mawrth 2022.

Rhagwelwn y bydd pob lleoliad yn 9 diwrnod i gyd, wedi’u lledaenu dros y cyfnod hwn (er y byddem yn ystyried llai o ddyddiau os na all ymgeiswyr gyflawni i’r 9 diwrnod llawn). Bydd y lleoliadau yn gweithio’n agos gyda Gwneuthurydd Rhaglen Gaeaf llawn Lles o Ffederasiwn Amgueddfeydd yng Nghymru, fydd yn cydlynu’r prosiect gyda chefnogaeth gan amgueddfeydd Sir Fynwy.

Beth fyddaf yn ei wneud?

Bydd y rôl yn cynnwys gweithio gyda’r tîm i:

  • Ymgynghori gyda phobl ifanc, yn defnyddio dulliau fel gweithdai a thrafodaethau wyneb i wyneb
  • Casglu sylwadau a barn pobl ifanc yn Sir Fynwy am y ffyrdd gorau i ymgynghori gyda nhw
  • Casglu’r canfyddiadau i adroddiad fydd yn sail i gyflenwi rhaglenni amgueddfeydd yn Sir Fynwy a sut y byddwn yn ymgysylltu â phobl ifanc a’u cynnwys yn y broses yn y dyfodol
  • Ymweliadau safle posibl i adolygu cynnig presennol amgueddfeydd ar gyfer pobl ifanc.

Bydd y lleoliadau yn gyfle rhagorol i gael profiad uniongyrchol gyda MonLife Treftadaeth, Ffederasiwn Amgueddfeydd yng Nghymru ac Amgueddfa Cymru a datblygu sgiliau a phrofiad mewn ymgynghori gyda phobl ifanc.

Mae hyn yn ddechrau ymdrech tymor hirach i ddatblygu a gwella’r gwasanaeth amgueddfeydd ar gyfer pobl ifanc. Gobeithiwn y bydd y prosiect yn gosod sylfeini ar gyfer sefydlu Panel Ieuenctid, i fwydo’r ffordd yr ydym yn datblygu ac yn darparu ein gwasanaethau ar draws yr amgueddfeydd yn Sir Fynwy.

Manyleb Person

Rydym yn edrych am unigolion gyda’r sgiliau, profiad a diddordebau dilynol.

  • Diddordeb mewn gwella mynediad a gwasanaethau cynhwysol ar gyfer pobl ifanc (hanfodol)
  • Sgiliau cyfathrebu ysgrifenedig a llafar da – gallu addasu cynnwys ar gyfer gwahanol oedrannau (hanfodol)
  • Trefnus, gyda’r gallu i reoli eich llwyth gwaith a’ch amser eich hunan (hanfodol)
  • Cyfeillgar, agos atoch ac yn dangos cydymdeimlad (hanfodol)
  • Diddordeb mewn clywed a chynrychioli amrywiaeth o leisiau a barn pobl ifanc (hanfodol)
  • Profiad o weithio fel rhan o dîm bach (dymunol)
  • Diddordeb mewn dulliau newydd a chreadigol i ennyn diddordeb pobl ifanc, yn cynnwys defnyddio technoleg a chyfryngau cymdeithasol (dymunol)
  • Profiad o hwyluso trafodaethau neu weithdai (wyneb i wyneb ac ar-lein) (dymunol)
  • Profiad o weithio gyda phobl ifanc a grwpiau ieuenctid (11-25 oed) (dymunol)
  • Profiad mewn gwerthuso, ymchwil gymdeithasol neu ymgynghori (dymunol)
  • Diddordeb yn y sector treftadaeth (dymunol)

Mae’r cyfle ar gael i unrhyw un rhwng 18 a 25 oed. Fodd bynnag, mae gennym ddiddordeb neilltuol mewn clywed gan ymgeiswyr nad ydynt mewn cyflogaeth lawn-amser ar hyn o bryd ac sy’n dymuno ymchwilio gwahanol lwybrau gyrfa.

Sut i wneud cais

Anfonwch eich CV (gydag enw dau ganolwr) atom ynghyd â datganiad diddordeb, dim mwy na 500 gair, ar sut ydych yn ateb prif gyfrifoldebau a disgwyliadau’r proffil rôl yma erbyn diwedd dydd Llun 7 Mawrth at rachaelrogers@monmouthshire.gov.uk .   Byddwn yn penodi i’r swydd cyn gynted ag sy’n bosibl ar ôl y dyddiad hwn a bydd cyfarfod cyflwyno yn ystod wythnos y 7 Mawrth

DS: Rhagwelwn y bydd 9 diwrnod o waith fesul person sy’n rhaid ei wneud rhwng 7 a 31 Mawrth. Mae rhai dyddiau penodol o weithio o fewn y cyfnod hwn, sef:

Dydd Mercher 9 Mawrth – dydd Gwener 11 Mawrth (cynhwysol) – dim dyddiau llawn

Gyda’r nos yn ystod yr wythnos yn cychwyn 14 Mawrth – I’w gadarnhau

Dydd Gwener 25 Mawrth

Dydd Mercher 30 NEU dydd Iau 31 Mawrth – i’w gadarnhau

Gadewch i ni wybod yn eich cais os gwelwch yn dda os nad ydych ar gael ar rai o’r dyddiadau hyn, neu os na allwch ymrwymo i’r 9 diwrnod llawn.

Gaeaf llawn Lles

Caiff y lleoliadau hyn eu hariannu drwy raglen Gaeaf llawn Lles Llywodraeth Cymru, cynllun ar draws Cymru i helpu plant a phobl ifanc i gael adferiad o’r pandemig a mynd i’r gwanwyn yn teimlo’n well, wedi cysylltu’n well gydag eraill ac yn barod am ddechrau newydd.

Dylid nodi nad yw Cyngor Sir Fynwy yn rhoi taliad am leoliadau. Fodd bynnag bydd yr ymgeisydd llwyddiannus yn gymwys i dderbyn taliad dan y rhaglen Gaeaf llawn Lles. Bydd hyn yn gytundeb rhwng y lleoliadau a Ffederasiwn Amgueddfeydd ac Orielau Cymru a chaiff unrhyw geisiadau ariannol eu gwneud ar ôl cwblhau’r gwaith rhwng y ddau barti ac NID Cyngor Sir Fynwy.

Cadwch lygad am weithgareddau Gaeaf llawn Lles eraill ledled Cymru a chael y diweddaraf am yr hyn sy’n digwydd drwy Instagram (@bloedd_ac), Twitter (@AmgueddfaCymru), TikTok (amgueddfacymru) a Facebook (@amgueddfacymru). #winterofwellbeing #gaeafllawnlles

Are you 18 to 25 years old?

We are looking for enthusiastic people to help us improve the way we involve young people in shaping museums in Monmouthshire. 

As part of the Welsh Governments Winter of Wellbeing, a programme of youth-led events and activities for young people, we are looking for two 18 – 25 year olds for a limited time project to contribute to improving the way we involve young people in shaping museums in Monmouthshire.

These placements are paid, at a rate of (£100/day), funded directly by the Federation of Museums and Galleries of Wales (Not Monmouthshire County Council). They will take place between 9th and 31st March 2022.

We anticipate each placement being 9 days in total, spread over this period (though we will consider fewer days if applicants are unable to commit to the full 9 days). The placements will be working closely with a Winter of Wellbeing Programme Maker from the Federation of Museum in Wales, who will co-ordinate the project with support from Monmouthshire museums.

What will I be doing?

The role will involve working with the team to:

  • Consult with young people, using methods such as workshops and face to face discussions
  • Collect the thoughts and opinions of young people in Monmouthshire about the best ways to consult with them.
  • Compile the findings into a report which will inform future delivery of museum programmes in Monmouthshire and how we engage and include young people in the process.
  • Possible site visits to review Museum’s current offer for young people

The placements will be an excellent opportunity to gain experience directly with MonLife Heritage, The Federation of Museums in Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru- National Museums of Wales and develop skills and experience in youth consultation.

This is the start of a longer-term effort to develop and improve the museum service for young people.  We hope that the project will lay the groundwork for establishing a Youth Panel, to feed into the way we develop and deliver our service across the museums in Monmouthshire.

Person Specification

We are looking for individuals with the following, skills, experience, and interests.

  • An interest in improving access and inclusivity of services for young people (essential)
  • Good written and spoken communication skills- able to adapt content for different ages (essential)
  • Organised, with the ability to manage your own workload and time (essential)
  • Friendly, approachable, and empathetic (essential)
  • An interest in hearing and representing a diversity of voices and opinions of young people (essential)
  • Experience working as part of a small team (desirable)
  • An interest in new and creative approaches to engaging with young people, including use of tech and social media (desirable)
  • Experience facilitating discussions or workshops (face to face and online) (desirable)
  • Experience working with young people and youth groups (11-25) (desirable)
  • Experience in evaluation, social research or consultation (desirable)
  • An interest in the heritage sector (desirable)

This opportunity is open to anyone aged between 18 and 25 years.  However, we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who are not currently in full time paid employment and wish to explore different career paths.

How to apply

Please send us your CV (with names of two referees) and an expression of interest, maximum 500 words, on how you meet the main responsibilities and expectations of the role profile by end of Monday 7th March to rachaelrogers@monmouthshire.gov.uk .  We will appoint the roles as soon as possible after this date and there will be an introductory meeting during the week of  7th March.

NB: We anticipate there will be 9 days work per person which must be carried out between 7th and 31st March.  Within this period there are some fixed days of working, they are:

Wednesday 9th March – Friday 11th March (inclusive) – not full days

Some evenings during w/c 14th March – TBC

Friday 25th March

Wednesday 30th OR Thursday 31st March – TBC

If you are not available on some of these days, or not able to commit to the full 9 days, please let us know in your application. 

Winter of Wellbeing

These placements are funded through the Welsh Government’s Winter of Wellbeing programme, a cross-Wales bid to help children and young people recover from the pandemic and head into spring feeling better, more connected to others and ready for a new start.

Please note that Monmouthshire County Council does not provide payment for placements.  However the successful applicants are eligible to receive payment under the Winter of Wellbeing Programme.  This will be an agreement between the placements and the Federation of Museums and Galleries of Wales and any financial claims will be made on completion of the work between the two parties NOT Monmouthshire County Council.

Look out for other Winter of Wellbeing activities across Wales and stay up to date with the latest goings on via Instagram (@bloedd_ac), Twitter (@AmgueddfaCymru), TikTok (amgueddfacymru) and Facebook (@amgueddfacymru). #winterofwellbeing #gaeafllawnlles

STORM EUNICE – CLOSURES

MonLife Active

Our MonLife Active Leisure Centres will be closed on Friday 18th February due to #StormEunice.

We will update you tomorrow on our social media channels with regards to Saturday re-opening times.

Don’t forget that all MonLife Members can continue to train with your favourite instructors using the MonLife LIVE & ON DEMAND app. The app allows you to access exciting virtual live groups and your own personalised fitness experience from home. If you haven’t already done so you can Download it here: https://mywellness.page.link/QD4pCMXo31fvwujw5

The safety of our staff as well as our customers are our main priority, and we urge you to please stay at home and keep safe.

MonLife Heritage

Our MonLife Heritage Sites and grounds will be closed on Friday 18th February due to #StormEunice. This includes:

  • Caldicot Castle and Country Park
  • Old Station Tintern
  • Shire Hall
  • Abergavenny Museum and Castle
  • Chepstow Tourism Information Centre however, they are available by telephone, 01291 623722.

We will update you tomorrow on our social media channels with regards to Saturday re-opening times.

The safety of our staff as well as our visitors are our main priority, and we urge you to please stay at home and keep safe.

After the storm has passed and you are visiting our sites please watch out for debris and hanging branches.

MonLife Countryside

We advise avoiding using countryside sites and the rights of way network due to #StormEunice.

The safety of our visitors is our main priority, and we urge you to please stay at home and keep safe.

After the storm has passed, please watch out for debris and fallen branches.

MonLife Connect

Our MonLife Connect youth centres will be closed on Friday 18th February due to #StormEunice. This includes:

  • The Zone Youth Centre
  • Caldicot Positive Futures
  • Thornwell Pavilion

The safety of our staff as well as our young people are our main priority, and we urge you to please stay at home and keep safe.

MonLife activities lined up for a fun February half term

Monmouthshire’s leisure provider MonLife is gearing up for the exciting February half term, with plenty on offer to keep children and young people active and entertained over the school holidays.  The activities wil kick off on Monday 21st February and run  until Friday 25th. A full list of what’s on offer can be found on the website at www.monlifeholildayactivities.co.uk and there is something for everyone.

As part of the Winter of Wellbeing funding from Welsh Government, MonLife Learning will be carrying out a number of different sessions across Monmouthshire including making a ‘mindful mosaic’, creating a wellbeing jar as well as mindful colouring inspired by the museum’s collections. MonLife will also be staging a wide range of play events for local communities, for children and families to come along to. These events are free to attend, so to register you interest via the website. Please note that parental supervision is required for children under the age of 11.

The Monmouthshire Games will also be taking place and are aimed at children between the ages of 5 and 11 and offers activities to suit a range of different interests and hobbies. The sessions run from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. All activities will be delivered in accordance with National Governing Body guidelines for each sport and will be COVID-19 compliant. The Monmouthshire Games are available to all young people in Monmouthshire, including any children of families visiting Monmouthshire on holiday. Each site has 50 spaces available per day and parents are being encouraged to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Social Justice, Councillor Lisa Dymock said: “The MonLife holiday activities are so important to our children and young people, and are designed to promote wellbeing as well as mental and physical health. After nearly 18 months of having lockdowns and restrictions, our younger generations have missed out on people able to have fun, socialise and be active. Spaces fill up very quick so I would encourage parents to sign up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

Oh boy! Rare vintage Mickey Mouse toy saved from rubbish

A vintage and rare Mickey Mouse toy will proudly be put on display after being saved from the rubbish tip thanks to eagle-eyed colleagues from Monmouthshire County Council’s waste and recycling contractors, Suez. The extraordinary cuddly toy, which is thought to date back to the 1930s, was discovered in a container destined for the tip. After unearthing the old toy, staff contacted MonLife’s Museum’s team about their special find.

Intensive research found the Mickey Mouse was originally made at one of UK’s oldest teddy bear manufacturers, the Deans toy factory in Pontypool. The business, which dated back as far as the 1700s, was the first manufacturer to make the Disney character in the UK in the 1930s but sadly fell into administration in 2005. An almost identical example of the toy – the earliest version of Mickey, as he appeared in his debut 1928 film ‘Steamboat Willie’ – is held within the collections of the V&A Museum in London.

After discovering the historical importance of the toy, Rachael Rogers, curator of Abergavenny Museum suggested that Mickey’s forever home might best be Pontypool Museum, which is less than a mile from the old Dean’s factory where it was made all those years ago.

Speaking about the extraordinary find, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Jane Pratt said: “I think it’s wonderful that Mickey has, after his very long life, been saved from the rubbish! I am so pleased that he is being donated to Pontypool Museum near to where he was made at Deans Rag Book Company. I hope that the publicity he creates will encourage people to think carefully before they throw things away. I am delighted that he will be viewed by generations to come in his new home.”

Cllr Pratt added: “Our Reuse shops at Llanfoist and Five Lanes have gone from strength to strength, with fantastic support from the staff at these recycling centres who spot lovely things, as well as the dedicated team of enthusiastic volunteers. It is not every day you find something as special as Mickey, but you would be amazed at what great things get saved that would have simply been thrown away.”

Upon receiving the donation, Pontypool Museum Curator, Caitlin Gingell said: “The curatorial staff are very pleased to be acquiring Mickey into the collections at Torfaen Museum. Dean’s toy factory, where Mickey was made, has been an important strand of Pontypool’s history and it is lovely to be bringing him back to his hometown. We hope that Mickey can go to a professional conservator in the near future, to be cleaned and structurally supported before going on display as part of a small exhibition about the toy manufacturer.”

Bargain hunters and antique enthusiasts alike will be able to head to Monmouthshire County Council’s Llanfoist and Five Lanes Reuse shops from mid-March.  Buying reused items is a great way to help the environment and reduce waste. All profits from the reuse sites go to tree planting in Monmouthshire to help in the fight against climate change. People can visit the reuse sites at the following locations:

  • Llanfoist Reuse shop – Llanfoist, NP7 9AQ, reopening every Tuesday 10am – 3pm from 15th March
  • Five Lanes Reuse Shop – Caerwent, NP26 5PD reopening every Wednesday 10am – 3pm from 16th March