Rob's Weekly Round Up

28 November 2025

Helo Bawb,

As an organisation, we often speak about the importance of creating spaces where people of all ages can feel supported, welcomed, and connected – this is the theme for my message this week.

And it’s when you step into one of our facilities and see that sense of community unfolding in real time that the value of our work truly comes to life.

My visit to Barry Leisure Centre last week brought this work into sharp focus. The centre was buzzing with activity. The sports hall was full to capacity with 50 people taking part in a low-intensity aerobics class, many of them over 60 and clearly enjoying the chance to stay active in a supportive environment.

Nearby, a rehabilitation class in the exercise referral studio was benefitting from new specialist equipment funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund - providing practical support for people recovering from a wide range of conditions.

The main gym was equally busy, with gym members making great use of the newly developed Strength Gym. The transformation of the former C1V call centre - jointly funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund, the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Legacy Leisure - has opened up strength training to a far broader audience.

In the pools, school swimming lessons were underway while the smaller pool hosted Good Boost and Bump Boost classes, followed by well-attended over-60s swimming. The mix of users - from young people to a significant number of older adults - highlighted how the centre supports wellbeing across all ages.

What stood out most was the clear positive impact on our older participants – improving fitness, growing confidence, creating meaningful opportunities for social connection, and better overall wellbeing.

These opportunities to stay active and connected in later life play a crucial preventative role in helping residents maintain their independence for longer and reducing the likelihood of needing more intensive support down the line. In turn, this helps ease pressure on our vital health and social care services and strengthens the overall resilience of our communities.

As we move into the colder months, our commitment to supporting and protecting those who need us extends well beyond our leisure centres.

This winter, that commitment is exemplified through our growing network of warm spaces across the Vale - places offering not just warmth, but comfort, companionship and a genuine sense of community.

Across the county, community organisations, charities, libraries, and volunteer groups are opening their doors to residents who may need a safe, welcoming place to spend time. What began as a response to cold weather has evolved into a wider effort to tackle isolation, improve wellbeing and support those feeling the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis.

These warm spaces are becoming hubs of connection. Many offer community meals, coffee mornings, cooking classes and healthy eating workshops, while others host memory cafés, employability sessions or intergenerational activities. Several projects stand out for the impact they are already making.

The Hive Guys Project, run by Vale Youth Service, brings younger and older residents together through monthly three-course meals planned and cooked by young people. Through shared conversations, technology support and dementia-friendly activities, both generations gain something meaningful.

At Y Galon, With Music In Mind is launching Soup and Social, a ten-week pilot offering warming food, friendly company and wellbeing-focused activities, supported by volunteer training and improved accessibility.

The Penarth Community Group is supporting residents by providing hot meals to take home, refreshments, social activities and advice on benefits and energy costs.

Together, these initiatives reflect a shared commitment to ensuring no one in the Vale feels alone or unsupported this winter.

None of these services and opportunities would be possible without the incredible hard work and passion of our staff, partners, and residents. From planning and delivering engaging activities and classes to supporting community projects to ensure every resident feels supported and cared for - your efforts are at the heart of everything we do.

It’s your commitment that transforms our buildings and programmes into places of warmth and connection that contribute to healthier, happier, and more connected communities across the Vale and in turn demonstrate that we’re putting our values – to be the best council we can be and supporting and protecting those who needs us – into action.

Thank you for making these values tangible in the lives of those we serve. And although this is an internal bulletin, we also need to reflect on the support we get from communities and residents across the Vale and their hard work and commitment to bringing many of these initiatives to life. Diolch.

That’s all from me this week – and to those not in work over the weekend, I hope you enjoy a restful and relaxing few days off.

Diolch o galon,

Rob