Following the success of the Thriving Communities Event in 2024, we’re pleased to announce its return, but this time with two events.
These events are being brought to life through the continued collaboration of the Community Action Network, Monmouthshire County Council, GAVO, MHA, and our brilliant partners. Together, we aim to celebrate and support the incredible work being done within our communities.
This year’s events will be hosted at:
- Magor and Undy Hub – Thursday, 16 October 2025, 11am-4pm
- Abergavenny Market Hall – Monday, 20 October 2025, 11am – 4pm
> Click to view list of community organisations and groups at the 2025 Magor and Undy Hub event >
Care & Repair Monmouthshire and Torfaen
Help homeowners and private tenants, aged 60+ to stay safe, warm and independent in their own homes. Also help people aged 50+ who have a sight or hearing impairment, stroke survivor, living with dementia, or have recently been discharged from hospital, of any housing tenure.
Contact: mandy.watkins@crmon.org.uk
DWP Jobcentre
Benefit & Jobsearch advice.
Contact: david.morgan2@dwp.gov.uk
GAVO CVC
Volunteering opportunities and support. Community Development support for groups and organizations.
Contact: chris.irving@gavo.org.uk
Keep Wales Tidy
Support for volunteers and community groups improving local environmental quality. Projects include littering, flytipping, dog fouling, and Local Places for Nature for community green spaces.
Contact:
thomas.ward-jackson@keepwalestidy.cymru
Magor and Undy Community Hub
Contact: manager@magorandundyhub.org
Monmouthshire Circular Economy Project
Promotes community activity related to Circular Economy – Repair, reuse, and borrowing. Establishes Repair Cafes and Benthygs, works with schools and youth to foster a culture of sustainability.
Contact: claudiablair@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Platfform
Offers work-based volunteering, training courses, paid placements, walk and talks, peer mentor support, wellbeing hubs, anxiety workshops, and free clothing for interviews or work.
Contact: jamessymes@platfform.org
The Magor Churchmen and Events Group
Voluntary organization running community events in Magor Square to raise money for local charities. Seeking volunteers for future events.
Contact: Lucy@magorevents.co.uk
Chepstow Priory Friends
Supporting St Mary’s Priory Chepstow with various interest groups including churchyard maintenance, flower arranging, brass and other cleaning, and fundraising.
Contact: chepstowprioryfriends@gmail.com
Dewis / Gwent RPT
An online well-being resource directory for the whole of Wales offering well-being services available to you.
Contact: ellys.perry@torfaen.gov.uk
Gwent Parent Carer Network
Support network for parent carers of children with additional needs across Gwent. Provides peer support, signposting, activities, and events
Contact:
gwentpcn@yahoo.co.uk
MADS – Magor Amateur Dramatics Society
Performs plays and sketches locally and through touring groups. Offers Murder Mystery plays for fundraising and entertainment programs for community events.
Contact: krpoultney@hotmail.co.uk
Mind Monmouthshire/ Mind In Gwent
Mental health support.
Contact: stephanie.thomas@mindmonmouthshire.org.uk
Monmouthshire Early Years and Childcare Hub
Provides information about early years and childcare services, funding options, and opportunities for work or volunteering in the childcare sector.
Contact: childcare@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Sparkle – Family Liaison Service
Provides support and information for families affected by disability and developmental delays.
Contact: ABB.FamilyLiaisonOfficer@wales.nhs.uk
Chepstow Walkers are Welcome
A community group run by volunteers for the benefit of the local community and visitors to the Lower Wye Valley. Activities include developing and promoting walking, maintaining footpaths, organizing the annual Walking Festival, and collaborating with local councils and organizations.
Contact: chepstowwaw@hotmail.co.uk
Employment & Skills
Supports local businesses and individuals with employment, training, and mentoring. Services include employment support, numeracy improvement, self-employment exploration, work-related qualifications, confidence and wellbeing enhancement, and support for young people in schools.
Contact: ameletukandra@monmouthshire.gov.uk
MCC Childrens Services, Young Carer and Counselling team
Provides information and referral services for Young Carers and counselling. Introduces Cost of Living service for Young Carers and their families.
Contact: katieshannon@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Monmouthshire Building Society
Committed to the local high street and communities. Offers savings accounts, mortgage and insurance services, and supports local groups through sponsorship, charitable foundation, and volunteering.
Contact: naomi.hawkey@monbs.com
Monmouthshire Libraries
Library services at Caldicot Community Hub. Offers free membership, book requests, no overdue charges, digital resources, Wi-Fi, computers, family history tools, and health information.
Contact: fionaashley@monmouthshire.gov.uk
The Cookalong Clwb
Empowers children with kitchen confidence using local sustainable ingredients.
Contact: hello@thecookalongclwb.co.uk
> Click to view list of community organisations and groups at the 2025 Abergavenny Market Hall event >
Abergavenny Community Enterprise Partnership
Community led centre.
Contact: info@acepartnership.co.uk
Alzheimers Society
Information and support for people affected by dementia and their carers and family.
Contact: chris.hodson@alzheimers.org.uk
Dewis / Gwent RPT
Dewis Cymru is an online well-being resource directory for the whole of Wales offering well-being services available to you.
Contact: ellys.perry@torfaen.gov.uk
GAVO
GAVO CVC. Volunteering opportunities and support. Speak to our volunteering officer if you are looking to volunteer or need volunteers for your project. Community Development. A wide range of support offered to community groups and organisations.
Contact: chrisirving365@gavo.org.uk
League of friends Nevill Hall Hospital
League of friends Abergavenny is a volunteer run organisation. We run a coffee shop at Nevill Hall hospital where we sell drinks, sandwiches, chocolate bars, crisps and ice cream. The coffee shop is open every week day from 9.30-4pm. We raise thousands of pounds each year to purchase equipment for the hospital. We are always looking for new recruits come and talk to us!
Contact: jdellaway@icloud.com
Mind Monmouthshire/ Mind In Gwent
Mental health support.
Contact: stephanie.thomas@mindmonmouthshire.org.uk
Monmouthshire Early Years and Childcare Hub
Information about early years and childcare services throughout the county, including all forms of funding for childcare and information for those looking to work or volunteer in the childcare sector.
Contact: childcare@monmouthshire.gov.uk
The Cookalong Clwb
The Cookalong Clwb empowers children with kitchen confidence using local sustainable ingredients.
Contact: hello@thecookalongclwb.co.uk
Tithe Barn Community Wellbeing Cafe
The Tithe Barn Community Wellbeing Café (TBCWC) Community Interest Company works with the community to identify a variety of needs and deliver services/groups that support people in need. The TBCWC delivers a timetable of groups that meet the needs of those with pre and post diagnoses across a variety of conditions and lived experiences. The aim of the Café is to support citizens, advise, engage, and signpost to services.
Contact: karensmith4@outlook.com
Abergavenny Food Bank
The Abergavenny Food Bank with Trussel Trust, offers first line in support for people in food poverty. People between work, made redundant, disabled, mental health problems or struggling with the cost of living are able to get a voucher for three days of emergency food. The Foodbank signposts people toward support services and financial inclusion.
Contact:
paul.garnault@abergavenny.foodbank.org.uk
Bridges Centre
Bridges is an independent Charity based across Monmouthshire. We run a range of services which aim to support people of all ages to enhance wellbeing across the county.
Contact: emma.hartley@bridgescentre.org.uk
DWP Jobcentre
Benefit & Jobsearch advice.
Contact: david.morgan2@dwp.gov.uk
Gwent Parent Carer Network
Support network for the parent carers of children with additional needs across Gwent. Providing peer to peer support, signposting, activities and events.
Contact: gwentpcn@yahoo.com
MADS – Magor Amateur Dramatics Society
MADS perform plays and sketches locally in Magor but also have two touring groups. Group 1 presents Murder Mystery plays for any organisation wishing to put on a fundraising event. Group 2 presents a 30 minute programme of sketches, limerick, jokes etc… and visits various coffee morning/dementia events in Monmouthshire.
Contact: krpoultney@hotmail.co.uk
Monmouthshire Building Society
Here at the Monmouthshire Building Society, we are committed to the local high street and supporting the local communities. We have a range of Savings accounts as well as Mortgage and Insurance services. We also proudly support local groups, with our Branch Sponsorship Scheme, Our Charitable Foundation and Colleague volunteering hours.
Contact: naomi.hawkey@monbs.com
Platfform
Support with work-based volunteering opportunities and training courses. Paid Placements. Monthly Walk and Talks. 1-1 Peer Mentor Support. Tailored confidence/wellbeing hubs & anxiety management workshops. ‘PERFECT FIT’ – Clothing Initiative – Free Clothing for anyone who has an up-and-coming interview or need volunteering, training or workwear clothing.
Contact: jamessymes@platfform.org
Age Cymru HOPE Advocacy Project
HOPE delivers independent advocacy for older people (50+) and carers across Wales. The HOPE project supports people to engage, participate, gain information, have their voices heard, understand their rights, make choices, be involved, share experiences, raise awareness of advocacy, and develop skills and knowledge. The service is free of any charges.
Contact: michael.mitchell1@agecymru.org.uk
Care & Repair Monmouthshire and Torfaen
Care & Repair Monmouthshire and Torfaen help homeowners and private tenants, aged 60+ to stay safe, warm and independent in their own homes. We can also help people aged 50+ who have a sight or hearing impairment, stroke survivor, living with dementia, or have recently been discharged from hospital, of any housing tenure.
Contact: mandy.watkins@crmon.org.uk
Eriskay Residential care Home – Sensory Garden
We are looking for volunteers to help us create a sensory garden at Eriskay, to help our residents safely enjoy the outdoor space at Eriskay. We are also looking for local businesses that may be able to fund some of the materials required.
Contact: joanna@eriskaycare.co.uk
Keep Wales Tidy
Support for volunteers and community groups engaging in work to improve local environmental quality. Combatting issues such as littering, flytipping and dog fouling. Also Local Places for Nature project working with community groups to create community green spaces for food growing and wildlife.
Contact: thomas.ward-jackson@keepwalestidy.cymru
MCC Childrens Services, Young Carer and Counselling team
Information around the Young Carer and counselling teams, what they are, have to make a referral. Introduce the new Cost of Living service for Young Carer’s and their families.
Contact: katieshannon@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Monmouthshire Circular Economy Project (MCC and volunteers)
Encouraging and promoting community activity related to Circular Economy – Repair, re-use and borrowing. Establishing Repair Cafes in communities and Benthygs (libraries of things), working in schools and with young people to establish a culture of repairing, re-using and borrowing things rather than disposing of them.
Contact: claudiablair@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Sparkle – Family Liaison Service
Supporting information for families affected by disability and developmental delays.
Contact: ABB.FamilyLiaisonOfficer@wales.nhs.uk
Warm Wales
Energy Advice and support.
Contact: Elliotjones@warmwales.org.uk
We invite local organisations and community groups to participate and showcase their volunteering opportunities, services, or hobby activities. If you are interested, please contact us through the link below.
In addition to having a stand at our market-style event, we will be offering half-hour workshops for attendees to experience your work firsthand. Whether it’s a creative activity, a demonstration, or a taster session, we would love to hear your ideas.
Thriving Communities – Community Action Network Event 2024
Monmouthshire Community Action Network hosted the Thriving Communities Event in January 2024, and was described as “a tremendous success”.
The event brought together more than 40 local organisations and community members, who explored a range of volunteering opportunities, hobbies, and services.
Positive feedback was received from organisations highlighting the event’s impact on extending their service reach, fostering networking with other organisations, and successfully recruiting volunteers.
Workshops garnered significant attendance, with people embracing their inner child at the Chepstow Community Circus session (including Cllr Angela Sandles).
The expert panel discussion on funding in Wales was a standout, providing attendees with invaluable insights into the funding landscape.
The Magor and Undy Hub, with its state-of-the-art facilities and ideal location, served as the perfect venue.
Cllr Sandles said: “I am thrilled by the tremendous success of the Thriving Communities event, hosted by Monmouthshire Community Action Network. It was truly heartening to witness the community uniting and establishing connections that undoubtedly pave the way for positive collaborations going forward.
“Our heartfelt thanks go to the Magor and Undy Hub, as well as our partners GAVO, MHA, and all the information stall holders, for their instrumental role in making this event a resounding success.”
>Get in touch with us: Community Action Network/Be Community Registration Form
Community Showcase
Kari Davies Manager of Magor and Undy Community Hub, Rachel Knight MHA, Cllr. Angela Sandles, Chris Irving & Beth Warrington GAVO, Fred Weston MCC.
Reminiscence Workshop with Monlife Heritage
Improving Small Green Spaces workshop by Keep Wales Tidy
Expert Panel Discussion on Funding in Wales, Sharran Lloyd MCC, Alison Palmer GAVO, Michael Dupree The National Lottery Community Fund, Sian Baker Maurice WCVA Cymru.
> Click to view list of community organisations and groups at the 2024 event >
Bridges Charity Projects
A Monmouthshire charity that offers multiple outreach services including a befriending service, community car scheme, inclusion projects for children and adults with additional needs, social activity groups, and a volunteering project.
?Contact: marianne.piper@bridgescentre.org.uk
Ready Steady GO
A charity supporting autistic children, young persons, and their families.
?Contact: admin@readysteadygoclun.co.uk
Magor East & Undy Councillors
Available to answer questions about local issues from residents.
?Contact: angelasandles@monmouthshire.gov.uk, jogncrook@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Monmouthshire Reuse Shops
Situated at Five Lanes and Llanfoist household recycling centres, works with volunteers to salvage items from the skips and sell at the shop on Wednesdays, with profits going to tree planting.
?Contact: rebeccablount@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Chepstow Community Circus
A group for people to practice and share circus skills, also provides workshops for other groups.
?Contact: chepstowcircus@gmail.com
Chepstow Walkers are Welcome
A volunteer community group that worked to gain accreditation for Chepstow to become part of the National Network of Walkers are Welcome towns in 2012. Encourages people to get outside and enjoy the outdoors through walking to improve health and well-being, and attract visitors to the area to support the local economy.
?Contact: chepstowwaw@hotmail.co.uk
Lads Lunch
A weekly lunch club for men in Bulwark, offering a free cooked meal and an opportunity for men to connect and make friends in a warm welcoming space. Also offers office space to other organizations during opening hours.
?Contact: communitykitchen@thebridgechurch.online
Mind Monmouthshire
Provides mental health services for adults.
?Contact: stephanie.thomas@mindmonmouthshire.org.uk
Gwent RPB
Provides Dewis Cymru, an online wellbeing resource directory.
?Contact: ellys.perry@torfaen.gov.uk
Caldicot and District Local History Society
Holds talks and occasional trips relating to local history.
?Contact: caldicothistorysociety@yahoo.co.uk
Usk Together for the Climate
A network of local residents working together to respond to the climate and nature emergencies by raising awareness and knowledge, taking practical steps, developing local projects, working with organizations, and creating a supportive community.
?Contact: togetherfortheclimateusk@gmail.com
Severn Side Neighbourhood Policing Team
Providing Support and advice around crime prevention
Big Lottery Cymru
The National Lottery Community Fund gives grants to organisations in the UK to help improve their communities. Our local Monmouthshire coordinator will be able to give advise on the range of funds available locally and talk to project thinking of applying for funding.
?Contact: Michael.Dupree@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
Basecamp Cooperative
Provide a range of therapeutic services including counselling for resilient communities
?Contact: projectmanagerbasecamp@protonmail.com
Age Cymru – HOPE Project
Offers free advocacy support to anyone over the age of 50 or their Carer if appropriate.
?Contact: michael.mitchell1@agecymru.org.uk
Communities For Work Plus
Supports people getting into work, offering help with CV writing, interview skills and advice, job searching and application guidance, short accredited work-related courses, financial support to reduce barriers into work, mentoring and confidence building, and connecting with local employers.
?Contact: ameletukandra@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Monmouthshire County Council Grounds and Cleansing Department
Offers volunteer opportunities in grounds and cleansing team to make Monmouthshire more beautiful and wildlife-friendly, including litter champions, Friends of Green Spaces, and pollinator monitors.
?Contact: susanparkinson@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Magor and Undy Community Fridge
Prevent food going to landfill by hosting a community fridge where people can pick up free food within its use by date.
?Contact: magor.undy.cf@gmail.com
Pre-Loved Prom Wear
Helps people who wouldn’t normally be able to attend their school prom due to the cost of prom wear, by providing donations of prom wear from local communities. Also provides an eco-solution to stop landfill and promotes the value of vintage or second-hand clothing.
?Contact: melstirling37@hotmail.com
TogetherWORKS Caldicot
A Community Wellbeing Hub based in the heart of Caldicot. We offer a range of wellbeing services, clubs and hobby groups.
?Contact: isla.arendell@gavo.org.uk
Keep Wales Tidy
A charity supporting voluntary action to improve the local environment.
?Contact: thomas.ward-jackson@keepwalestidy.cymru
Gwent Federation of Women’s Institutes
The largest women’s organization in the UK, with 43 Institutes and around 1300 members in Gwent Federation. Offers women the opportunity to make friends and make a difference in the community, learn new skills, crafts, sports, and much more within a social, safe, and relaxed environment.
?Contact: https://gwent.thewi.org.uk/contact-us
Chepstow & Caldicot lions
A community service organization.
?Contact: chepstowcaldicotlions@btinternet.com
Alzheimers Society
Supports people affected by dementia and their carers.
?Contact: chris.hodson@alzheimers.org.uk
Phoenix Netball Club (formerly known as Magor and Undy Netball Club)
A community netball club for all genders and ages from 7 years upwards.
?Contact: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1271178783374616/
GAVO
Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations aims to create a society where communities, individuals, partner organisations and the third sector work together to build a sustainable future by supporting, facilitating and brokering positive change in the wellbeing of people and communities through collaborative approaches. We heave a wealth of experience in volunteering, community and project development, building social capital and engaging with communities.
?Contact: bethan.warrington@gavo.org.uk
Monmouthshire Housing Association
Engagement Team/iConnect – The Engagement Team is the outward facing community development arm of MHA looking to empower and strengthen communities and listen to the voice of MHA tenants and leaseholders throughout Monmouthshire.
iConnect – Aims to bring the digital World to everybody’s fingertips promoting easy affordable ways to get connected and to improve digital skills, ensuring nobody is excluded from the benefits of a digital World.
Young People and Communities
Provides community links, counselling, and young carer support for children and young people.
?Contact: nathanmeredith@monmouthshire.gov.uk
The Cookalong Clwb
Empowers children with kitchen confidence, essential life skills, and supports feeding tummies, not the food bin.
?Contact: hello@thecookalongclwb.co.uk
MonLife Heritage
Learning provides a range of resources and activities for people living with Dementia and their carers, including Reminiscence and historic object handling boxes, facilitated reminiscence sessions, and craft and conversation workshops. Also provides reminiscence training for care givers and care workers.
?Contact: karinmolson@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Environmental Health
Here to provide advice and guidance to community projects who handle food.
?Contact: samwatkins@monmouthshire.gov.uk, niachappell@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Monmouth U3A
Offers a wide range of member-organized special interest groups for people no longer in full-time work, encouraging informal study, leisure interests, hobbies, music, creativity, physical activity, and socializing.
?Contact: https://monmouthu3a.com/contact-us/
Halls Together in Monmouthshire and Newport
A project bringing halls together by providing a website platform for halls to market their community buildings and events and raise standards by providing support, information, and volunteer training.
?Contact: ourhallstogether@gmail.com
WCVA
Enables voluntary organizations in Wales to make a bigger difference together, working closely with local County Voluntary Councils (CVCs) as part of Third Sector Support Wales (TSSW). Focuses on good governance, influencing and engagement, volunteering, and resourcing a sustainable sector.
?Contact: sbakermaurice@wcva.cymru
Chepstow & District CAP Debt Centre
Offers free in-home debt advice and support, and also runs budgeting/money management courses.
?Contact: davidprice@capuk.org
ABUHB Patient Experience & Involvement Team
Offers Dementia Awareness, Volunteering, Risk Factors of Dementia, Carers Education, and Community Listeners.
?Contact: sian.hanniford@wales.nhs.uk
Monmouthshire Community Development Team
We are all about people doing great things together. Across Monmouthshire, people are getting together to take action on the things they care about. We’re helping people share ideas, talents, skills and passions to make a difference to where they live. If you would like to be more connected into your community, or if you have a great idea for something to bring people together then get in touch. We can help with things like:
o Finding funding
o Providing free training and development
o Building networks of support
o Encouraging other people to help you
o Finding a venue
o Promoting your idea
o Helping you with any regulations and red tape
o Wellbeing information and support to link you in with opportunities
?Contact: wellbeing@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Care & Repair Monmouthshire & Torfaen
Care & Repair Monmouthshire & Torfaen provides help and advice for older people to remain safe secure and independent in their own homes.
?Contact: dgrant-crichton@crmon.org.uk
MCC Community Development team > Find out More !
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.