Text taken from article in the May edition of the Abergavenny Focus
Try something new on your doorstep As we know, mixing with people is good for us, but breaking into new circles isn’t always easy. The evidence tells us that keeping active and involved are antidotes to loneliness and social isolation. Building social bonds brings about personal and public good, but where do we begin? A community solution began to emerge in 2005 with a school closure, and gathered momentum a decade later when a building lease was granted and residents set up a charity called Abergavenny Community Trust to run the Abergavenny Community Centre as a venue for local people, groups and services to use, and, to act as an anchor in the community, helping people to connect, contribute and live well. Now, every week, hundreds of people of all ages, creeds, backgrounds and abilities use Abergavenny Community Centre either for their own activities, or to socialise over lunches and coffee mornings, singing for fun, exercise, arts and crafts, baby and toddlers’ group, children’s holiday clubs and to volunteer. In addition to Centre-led activities, partners offer Yoga, Meditation, Chair Tai Chi, Circle Dancing, Qi Flow, Fit Steps, Line Dancing, Qigong, Movement for Seniors and interactive baby, toddler sessions. Maybe you’re new to the area, or perhaps you’re living on your own or caring for a loved one. No matter your story, if you are able to travel under your own steam – you will find yourself in good company with access to local knowledge about things to do and places to be, in and around Abergavenny. For example, you may want to know about the fortnightly Wednesday session for girls and non-binary young people aged 13-17yrs, run by the Autistic Girls Network volunteers, or plans for the next World Bistro later this year, or details of The Big Lunch picnic that’s coming in early June. To break the ice, we warmly invite you to pick up the phone or send an email, and for those who are ready to dip your toes in, why not pop along to the weekly Friday Coffee Morning, or come to the Monday Social Circle that offers a bit of everything – exercise, music, indoor curling, table tennis, quizzes, games – to help keep us active and involved as we age. Suitable for everybody. To see the calendar of changing activities and events, to learn about the charity, and where to find us please visit the website www.abergavennycc.org/calendar or send an email to aber.hub@gmail.com
Marion Pearse, Trust Manager Registered Charity 1177133