Monmouthshire woman who spent three weeks in coma praises MonLife referral scheme for helping change her life

Face-to-face classes were halted during the pandemic but resumed in September 2021 at Chepstow, Caldicot, Monmouth, with Abergavenny starting back on the 10^thJanuary. 

For Sheila the return to the classes has also meant the opportunity to meet new people. She added: “I have gained so much from these classes, my health and fitness has improved so much over the past few weeks and this has helped my day-to-day living. I have also met so many lovely like-minded people and I look forward to my classes every week.”

Cabinet member with responsibility for MonLife, Councillor Lisa Dymock said: “We never truly understand how much of an impact schemes like the exercise referral scheme can make until we hear stories like Sheila’s. For many others in her situation, doing any sort of physical activity following a serious health condition can be daunting and overwhelming. This initiative is designed to support people through that challenging time and ultimately help them on their journey to recovery. Like Sheila, this scheme not only aids physical recovery but has an huge impact on mental health and confidence. If like Sheila, you have experienced a life-changing health condition or injury, please come and talk to our advisors or your doctors to access this brilliant service.” 

People referred to the scheme get access to their respective leisure centre’s fitness suite and swimming pool, access to all NERS/Fit4Life classes, 4,16 and 52 week progress consultations and a free kit bag. The scheme costs £16 per month and can be accessed by contacting MonLife’s Exercise Referral Coordinator on 01633 644800 or by referred by a GP / practice nurse; physiotherapist or dietician.

We’re Making The Comeback

MonLife Active

We are pleased to announce that all 4 Leisure Centres are now open, this includes the gym, swimming pool and group exercise classes as well as swimming lessons. For further information please click on the Active section at the top of this page to view the individual Leisure Centres.

MonLife Heritage

We are delighted to announce that we are reopening our museum in Abergavenny and Chepstow from 18^th May, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays between 11am and 4pm. We have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to get our museum and shop ready to welcome you all back through our doors! We cannot wait to see you all!

Please note Monmouth Museum remains closed whilst we continue to work on the collections.

• There is no need to book ahead of your visit, you can simply walk in.
• Please be aware that we will be limiting the number of visitors allowed in the museum at any one time.
• Visitors will need to wear a mask or face covering and follow social distancing whilst in the museum.
• Hand sanitiser will be provided at various points throughout the museum.
• Visitors will be required to fill in a contact Track & Trace form – all of which are in accordance to Welsh Government Covid guidelines.
• Where possible please use card to purchase goods.

Abergavenny Castle grounds will be open daily to the public between 11am and 4pm.

We are also please to announce that Old Station Tintern is now open!

Please see the individual venue and service pages on the website for detailed information.

MonLife Outdoors

Countryside Access sites and public rights of way remain open for use.  For a safe and enjoyable visit please follow the guidance and rules which are found here

---

Our staff, as well as the community, are our priority and we would like to thank you for the support that you have shown MonLife over these last few months.  We have received the most amazing feedback from our customers.

To keep up to date, follow our social media accounts, like our Facebook Page, follow our Twitter account and subscribe to our Youtube Channel.  We also have a MonLife App – click HERE to download.

If you have an enquiry regarding your MonLife membership then please email monmemberships@monmouthshire.gov.uk or call 01633 644499.

As a valued customer we would like to thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Stay Safe 

The 2020 Green Flag UK People Choice Award: Caldicot Castle & Country Park

Caldicot Castle is set within 55 acres of idyllic Country Park. Founded by the Normans, developed in royal hands as a stronghold in the Middle Ages and restored as a Victorian family home, the castle has a romantic and colourful history. Travel through time from a medieval castle to a Victorian mansion.

The Green Flag Award® scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

The Green Flag Award’s Purpose & Aims

• To ensure that everybody has access to quality green and other open spaces, irrespective of where they live.
• To ensure that these spaces are appropriately managed and meet the needs of the communities that they serve.
• To establish standards of good management.
• To promote and share good practice amongst the green space sector.
• To recognise and reward the hard work of managers, staff and volunteers.

We would like to invite you to vote for Caldicot Castle & Country Park in the 2020 Green Flag UK People Choice Award. To vote, click here: https://www.greenflagaward.org/park-summary/?park=2143

Get Creative: Make Decoration This Halloween

Make a Vampire Hallowe’en Decoration

You will need:

• Vampire template
• 1 A4 sheet of white paper
• 1 A4 sheet of black card
• 1 scrap of tissue paper or other coloured paper
• A glue stick Colouring pencils or pens Scissors

What to do:

1. Print out your vampire templates on to a sheet of A4 paper. Cut out the vampire body and glue it to the back of the black card, using it as a guide to cut out your vampire’s body. Remember to cut along the dotted lines under the arms.
2. Cut out the vampire face and chest piece and draw on your vampire’s face.
3. Stick your vampire face and chest piece on to the body piece (black cardboard side facing up), leaving the V-shape of black showing at the top of the head for the vampire’s hair (see the picture above).
4. Take a small square of tissue paper (around 3cm) or other coloured paper and pinch it together in the middle to make a bow tie shape, then glue to your vampire’s neck. Draw four buttons underneath the bow tie to make the vampire’s shirt.
5. With the vampire laid out flat on the table, take each of the arms and fold them inwards so that they stand out from the body.
6. Glue along one straight edge of the vampire’s body piece as shown on the template, then roll the body into a cone shape, sticking the glued edge under the other straight edge. Hold in place until the glue dries.
7. Use your finished vampire to decorate your home ready for a super spooky hallowe’en!

Make a Witch Hallowe’en Decoration

You will need:

• Witch template
• 1 A4 sheet of white paper
• 1 A4 sheet of black card
• Some scraps of wool for the hair
• A glue stick Felt pens or colouring pencils
• Scissors
• A few shiny star stickers or scraps of coloured paper to make your own

What to do:

1. Print out the witch templates onto A4 paper.
2. Cut out the witch body template and glue it to the back of your black card. Use the template as a guide to cut out the body of your witch. Don’t forget to cut along the dotted lines under the arms.
3. Cut out the witch face template and colour it in then draw on a smiley face.
4. With the black cardboard side of the witch body piece facing up, stick the witch’s face on to the body underneath her black hat (see the picture above).
5. Glue on a few strands of wool to make the witch’s hair.
6. With the witch laid out flat on the table, take each of the arms and fold them inwards so that they stand out from the body.
7. Glue along one straight edge of the witch’s body piece as shown on the template, then roll the body into a cone shape, sticking the glued edge underneath the other straight edge. Hold in place until the glue dries.
8. Stick a few shiny stars on to the witch’s body and hat, or cut out your own decorations from scraps of coloured paper.
9. Use your finished witch to decorate your home ready for a super spooky hallowe’en!

Make a Spiral Ghost Hallowe’en Decoration

You will need:

• 1 A4 sheet of white printer card
• Colouring pencils or felt pens
• Scissors

What to do:

1. Print out your ghost template on to the white card. If you don’t have a card suitable for your printer, you can print onto ordinary paper and glue it on to a piece of scrap cardboard e.g. an old cereal packet.
2. Use a pair of scissors to carefully cut around your ghost head and arms, then continue to cut following the lines all the way around the inside in a continuous spiral.
3. Use a colouring pencil or felt pen to draw a face on to your ghost. You can make it funny or scary or surprised—you could even draw a different face on the front and back of your ghost so that it looks different from each side when it’s hanging up!
4. Hang up your ghost by the bottom of its spiral tail, or by its head, ready for a super spooky hallowe’en!

Make a Bat Hallowe’en Decoration

You will need:

• 1 A4 sheet of white paper

• 1 A4 sheet of black card
• 1 black pipe cleaner for the legs
• A glue stick
• Felt pens or colouring pencils
• Scissors

What to do:

1. Print the bat template onto A4 paper. Carefully cut out the eyes and fangs and place them to one side for the moment, then glue the wings and body templates to the back of your sheet of black card.
2. Cut out the wings and body from the black card, using the printed template as a guide. Lay your bat pieces out flat on the table, black side up.
3. Colour in the eyes then cut them out and glue them into position on your bat’s face, just below the top curved edge.
4. Cut out the fangs and glue them on to the bat’s face underneath his eyes.
5. Using the glue stick, make a line of glue along one straight side of your bat body, then roll the body into a cylinder, and stick the two straight edges together. Hold in place while the glue dries.
6. Glue the wings on to the back of your bat, covering the joined edges from the previous step. Hold in place while the glue dries.
7. Take a black pipe cleaner and fold it in half. Glue the folded end to the inside of your bat (see the picture above)
8. Curl the two cut ends of the pipe cleaner to make the bat’s talons
9. Hang the bat upside down at home ready for a super spooky hallowe’en

We’d love to see your finished crafts — please tweet us a photo @MonLifeLearning @MonLifeOfficial Decoration