On Friday 17th January MonLife celebrated its official launch with a Multi Activity School Festival at Monmouth Leisure Centre.
The festival saw 85 children attend from Osbaston, Kymin View and Trellech Primary. The children had chance to take part in a number of sessions that included boccia, learning, football, team building plus much more. The sessions showcased the diversity of MonLife and the fantastic services that we have to offer.
The strategic focus of MonLife is on physical and mental health and wellbeing, providing opportunities in learning and experiencing, achieving a more physically active lifestyle for all. Health and wellbeing are embedded in every service area of MonLife and this means that we are ready to play a part and support schools in the launch of the new curriculum.
Richard John, Cabinet Member for Education and Leisure, said “I was delighted to attend the official launch of MonLife, which brings under one umbrella our leisure and community services for the first time.
Our MonLife services are really important for the mental and physical wellbeing of all local residents and that’s why we’re investing and upgrading facilities, including our leisure centres. We want to ensure that as many residents as possible can take part, evidenced by our insport Silver Award for improving access for disabled people.
This launch embodies our commitment to protect locally accessible services for residents, including helping people lead more active and independent lives through our array of diverse services and facilities.
The whole day was of celebration of our services and enhanced the vision to enrich people’s lives and create vibrant places. I hope as many residents as possible will take up the opportunity to experience our wonderful facilities and services and see for themselves how MonLife can impact on the mind, body and soul of our community.”
Monlife is celebrating being given a top award for helping people with disabilities accessing sport.
The service group managed by Monmouthshire County Council was awarded the insport Silver Standard at Full Council by Michelle Daltry Partnership Manager, Disability Sport Wales on Thursday 16th of January.
The insport Development programme aims to support and deliver inclusivity for disabled people through a toolkit developed by Disability Sport Wales, supporting the inclusive thinking, planning, development and delivery. This means that MonLife Active staff can deliver across the spectrum to disabled and non-disabled people at whatever level they wish to participate or compete.
By achieving this standard opportunities are widened, participation will increase, disabled people become more active and engaged and we have a nation who are hooked on sport for life. This will deliver a cultural change in attitude, approach and provision of physical activity and wider opportunities for disabled people.
Throughout the four standards; Ribbon, Bronze, Silver and Gold, each partner is supported by Disability Sport Wales to grow their expertise and understanding of disability sport. With the aim of Partners becoming progressively more independent and able to demonstrate improved delivery and support to disabled people.
Councillor Richard John, Cabinet Member for Education and Leisure said: “Achieving the Silver award demonstrates the commitment to inclusion from MonLife and Monmouthshire Council to increase sporting opportunities for disabled people and our ongoing commitment in playing a significant role in building sustainable and resilient communities, reducing inequalities and supporting vulnerable people. Cabinet fully supports the journey to the Gold Accreditation”.
Michelle Daltry, Partnership Manager at Disability Sport Wales said “Disability Sport Wales wish to congratulate MonLife on their achievement of the insport silver standard. It is a real testament to the calibre of work they are currently doing and have committed to do in the future, and will ensure the ongoing development of inclusive sports to disabled communities in the Monmouthshire area. Congratulations to all involved.”
As MonLife continues on its insport Development journey receiving the Silver standard is a real testament to all staff involved. MonLife are committed that all service areas will illustrate the inclusive cultural change by going through the insport accreditation with core aims to include its partnership working with Education, Health and Social Services.
We hope that you are staying safe and well during these
difficult times.
As you are aware following the Welsh Government announcement on 19th December, all MonLife Leisure Centres are now closed while we await a further update from the First Minister at the end of January. Therefore, we will not be taking any payment for your membership for the month of January.
We want to
help keep your wellbeing and fitness on track, so you can still access our NEW
Live and On Demand service! Where you can carry on training with your favourite
instructors wherever, whenever. Your membership will give you an exciting
Virtual and Live group and personal fitness experience. The Live journey is
designed to include social moments at the start and at the end of each class
whilst focusing on your training. You will be able to track activities, monitor
progress and generate results!
To enjoy MonLife Live and On Demand, simply download the MonLife App and click on MyWellness then MonLife Live and On Demand.
If you have any questions please email monmemberships@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Please take care and ensure that you follow the government
guidelines at all times, click here for more information Alert
level 4 | GOV.WALES
Stay Safe and we look forward to seeing you again soon
One year on,
during these difficult times, we are closer than ever!
And what a 1st
year this has been…
“On
behalf of myself and my MonLife colleagues, I would like to thank you for being
part of our first year since our launch in 2020. We have been humbled and
amazed at your continued enthusiasm and support and having received such
positive feedback across our wide ranging services, we look forward to seeing you all again as and
when Welsh Government confirm it is safe to do so. I would also like to extend
my sincere thanks to the MonLife team who have worked tirelessly during the
last 12 months to support our customers and communities and I know they will
continue to do so in the future. ” Ian Saunders, Chief Operating
Officer.
In 2021, we
will continue to keep our customers at the heart of everything we do and will
carry on improving our offer to benefit your health and wellbeing. We continue
to explore new opportunities to ensure that you can carry on with your
wellbeing journey at home.
We have a
fantastic NEW product that will allow MonLife members to carry on training with
their favourite instructors and participants they know from their homes with
the NEW MonLife LIVE & ON-DEMAND membership. This membership will give you
an exciting Virtual Live group and personal fitness experience. Please click HERE for further information.
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.
Stay
Home to save lives and protect our NHS.
We
hope you all had a safe and healthy Christmas and wish you a very Happy New
Year!
Following the announcement made bythe First Ministerat 5pmon Saturday 19 December, all MonLife Active Centres are closed as we enter into the Tier 4 Lockdown.
As you are aware following the Welsh Government announcement
on 19th December, all
MonLife Leisure Centres
are now closed while we await a further update from the First Minister at the
end of January. Therefore, we will not
be taking any payment for your membership for the month of January.
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 and we will look forward to welcoming you all back following
the Welsh Government review in January.
Your health and wellbeing is very
important to us and we continue to explore opportunities to ensure that you can
carry on with your wellbeing journey at home.
We have a fantastic NEW product that will allow MonLife members to carry
on training with their favourite instructors and participants they know from
their homes with the NEW MonLife LIVE & ON DEMAND membership. This
membership will give you an exciting Virtual Live group and personal fitness
experience. Please click HERE for further
information.
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.
Our membership teams are happy to help with any questions you may have so please email monmemberships@monmouthshire.gov.uk or call 01633 644499.
Please take care and ensure that you follow the government
guidelines at all times, click here for more information Alert
level 4 | GOV.WALES
As you are aware following the Welsh Government announcement on 19th December, all MonLife Leisure Centres are now closed while we await a further update from the First Minister at the end of January. Therefore, we will not be taking any payment for your membership for the month of January.
All other MonLife services are also closed, except for countryside and attraction car parks, outside sites and playgrounds. Please see the individual venue and service pages on the website for detailed information.
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 and we look forward to welcoming you all back following the
Welsh Government review in January.
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.
In March 2020 grassroots sport came to a standstill as the global pandemic hit Wales, but it’s at this toughest of times our grassroots clubs, coaches and volunteers became heroes and made Welsh sport really proud. Local clubs, groups and organisations quickly came together at the beginning of the national lockdown to help care for people in their community. You raised money for charities, delivered food parcels to NHS workers, distributed sport equipment to people’s homes and set up online quizzes to help people keep in touch with each other. That’s why, on the 16th December, we will be supporting the National Lottery in dedicating a whole campaign to you! We will dedicate our channels to your inspirational stories to thank you for your kindness and commitment to keeping the nation going, mentally and physically! If you know someone at your club or project who deserves a whole load of recognition on the 16th December – post your story to your social platform, tag us in the post and use the hashtags #ThanksToYou and #NationalLottery We will keep our eyes peeled and be sure to share your post so the whole [insert sport] family can be inspired. We can’t wait to hear how you’ve played your part.
CIL-Y-COED NETBALL CLUB IN SPOTLIGHT FOR KINDNESS
We have been blown away by the commitment, kindness and creativity of netball clubs up and down Wales over the past few months.
Faced with closed courts and lockdown restrictions, you have met these challenges with a positive, can-do attitude that makes Welsh Netball very proud.
This week, we are highlighting the work of Cil-y-Coed Netball Club in Monmouthshire as part of the National Lottery Dedicated To…campaign. A family-run club, Chloe is Head Coach and looks after the youth sides. Her Mum Jill is coach to the under 10s and Ladies team while sister Lauren pitches in when she can.
Of course, lockdown put an end to ordinary training sessions and get togethers but the club was quick to get creative and get online:
“We started with an Easter challenge. Each day for two weeks, members were set a challenge such as how many chest passes can you do in two minutes or how many figure of eights can you do through your legs. They were all a bit of fun but designed to maintain fitness. Our members would post their videos and photos on our social channels so there was a lot of camaraderie.
“Another time, we had a 15-day plan which would include fitness skills and ball skills. It was just something to keep people active and entertained. It helped maintain the sense of belonging at our club.”
When we reached May half term, we asked members to bake and decorate cakes with a netball theme. One member designed an entire netball game out of lego and animated it with stop motion. We have discovered our members have all sorts of skills!,” laughs Chloe.
Chloe may joke but the work undertaken to keep a club together with Zoom quizzes and online content takes time and is typical of netball clubs right across Wales.
The club recently received more than £1000 in National Lottery funding which has been spent on PPE, hand sanitisers, first aid kit and extra equipment so that coaches and players can avoid sharing and cross-contamination:
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to all National Lottery players because this funding will allow us to restart safely. It makes us feel more confident to come back and play because we know it will be within a safe environment. It wouldn’t be possible without the National Lottery.”
With the help of National Lottery funding, thousands of grassroots sports workers and volunteers from local clubs and organisations across the UK, have been be able to continue to help the nation to remain active, happy and motivated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million is raised every week for good causes, many of which are supporting the most vulnerable in our communities across the UK during the Coronavirus crisis.
MonLife Active Offers An Exciting Live & On Demand Group & Personal Experience From Your Home. Sign Up Today And Get 6 Months for £24.99. That’s Just £4.17 Per Month!
MonLife members can now train with their favourite instructors and participants they know from their homes with the NEW MonLife LIVE & ON DEMAND membership. This membership will give you an exciting Virtual and Live group and personal fitness experience The Live journey is designed to include social moments at the start and at the end of each class whilst focusing on your training. You will be able to track activities, monitor progress and generate results!
As with any activity performed with the Mywellness app the Live or On Demand classes will generate results that count towards the total daily movement and can be used to track progress over time. If you are wearing Heart Rate devices connected to the Mywellness mobile app, the measurement will be based on each member’s unique HR values.
Alternatively, users can join the class and the results will be based on the intensity set by instructors. We know that you want choice, different types of classes and different styles of instructors at the most convenient time for YOU. You will be able to choose your favourite activity and train at any time.
To register for MonLife Live & On Demand, click here!
🏋️♀️ Unlimited access to all Gyms and Fitness Classes 🏊♀️ Unlimited access to all Swimming Pools & Spa’s ⏱ FREE Personalised Fitness Plans 📋 FREE weekly Body Blitz (Personal Training Sessions) 📱 FREE access to all LIVE and ON-DEMAND Training Sessions
Get 10 classes for the price of 8 when you pre-order 10 Fitness Classes for all MonLife Active Centres. With over 140 Classes to choose from, there’s something for everyone.
To take advantage of this offer, simply contact your local MonLife Active Centre using the links below;
If you are looking to recharge or relax, here at Serenity Spa, we can provide you with the perfect haven in which to experience the most incredibly unique sensations, where the mind, body & spirit converge to create an unforgettable experience.
Our team of experienced and highly qualified therapists will be happy to put together a treatment package designed specifically for your needs and will be happy to offer you advice on your skin’s requirements.
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.
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.
Cut out the vampire face and chest piece and draw on your vampire’s face.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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:
Print out the witch templates onto A4 paper.
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.
Cut out the witch face template and colour it in then draw on a smiley face.
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).
Glue on a few strands of wool to make the witch’s hair.
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.
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.
Stick a few shiny stars on to the witch’s body and hat, or cut out your own decorations from scraps of coloured paper.
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:
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.
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.
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!
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:
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.
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.
Colour in the eyes then cut them out and glue them into position on your bat’s face, just below the top curved edge.
Cut out the fangs and glue them on to the bat’s face underneath his eyes.
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.
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.
Take a black pipe cleaner and fold it in half. Glue the folded end to the inside of your bat (see the picture above)
Curl the two cut ends of the pipe cleaner to make the bat’s talons
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
Following on from the announcement made by the Welsh Government to introduce the ‘Firebreak’ we will be re-opening all MonLife facilities from Monday 9th November.
Unfortunately, however, following the announcement made by the UK Government on Monday 2nd Nov, we are unable to facilitate any bookings from our customers currently residing in England during the month long national lockdown starting from Thursday 5th November. All members affected will have their memberships automatically frozen during this time. We hope you stay active and safe during this difficult time and we look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Please follow our daily countdown posts on social media for updates and ensure that you always follow the Welsh Government Guidelines.
The areas that remain open for local use during the ‘Firebreak’ include all countryside sites, Caldicot Castle Country Park (toilets will be open 10 am – 4:30 pm), the grounds at Old Station Tintern (toilets will be closed) and Abergavenny Castle Grounds as well as car parks and play areas in Monmouthshire.
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 and we will look forward to welcoming you all back on the 9th November.
If you have made any bookings please bear with us as we will be in touch with you, however, if your query is urgent then please call the relevant MonLife venue.
Your health and wellbeing are very important to us and we will continue to explore opportunities to ensure that you can carry on with your wellbeing journey at home. Please visit our MonLife Health and Wellbeing hub https://www.monlife.co.uk/monlife-health-wellbeing-hub/ for further information. Here you will also find over 140 fitness sessions for you to do at home. Les Mills On Demand is also still available with over 1000 online workouts including Body Pump, Yoga and RPM that members can try for free for 30 days, then pay a reduced monthly fee of £7.94 per month 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 the MonLife app which you can download from the Apple and Play store now https://claritylive.myfitapp.de/a/8HRD?p=5?pv=1
Our customers, partners and colleague’s safety and wellbeing are at the heart of what we do. Please stay safe and try to stay as active as possible, we have some amazing places for you to explore in your local area by clicking here but please adhere to the Government guidelines to protect the NHS and save lives.
Memberships
We would like to reassure you that you do not need to do anything we will arrange any alteration to your November direct debit payment to reflect opening up on the 9th November and the days lost in between.
Swimming Lessons
As with the memberships, your swimming lesson direct debit will be amended to reflect the time lost during the ‘Firebreak’.
As a valued customer we would like to thank you for your continued support, we will be dealing with a high volume of calls so please bear with us. For further updates please follow us on social media, download our MonLife app or visit www.MonLife.co.uk.
We would also like to extend our thanks to all the NHS Heroes, carers and keyworkers keeping us safe and looked after during this time.
We look forward to seeing you all again on the 9th November.
