Summary
Monmouthshire County Council is hosting two wellbeing events for residents aged 50 and over, showcasing the range of services and activities available in the county. The events are part of Monmouthshire's commitment to being an Age-Friendly community, following its inclusion in the World Health Organization's Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities in July 2025. The events will feature a marketplace-style format, allowing attendees to interact with organisations and access information and resources. The events aim to promote wellbeing, independence, and community connection among Monmouthshire's population aged 50 and over. A range of organisations, including [[age-cymru|Age Cymru]], [[care-and-repair|Care & Repair]], and the [[alzheimers-society|Alzheimer's Society]], will be attending the events to provide information and support to attendees.
Key Takeaways
- Monmouthshire County Council is hosting two wellbeing events for residents aged 50 and over
- The events are part of Monmouthshire's commitment to being an Age-Friendly community
- The events will feature a marketplace-style format
- A range of organisations will be attending the events to provide information and support
- The events aim to promote wellbeing, independence, and community connection among older residents
Balanced Perspective
The wellbeing events in Monmouthshire are a practical step towards supporting the county's ageing population. By providing a platform for organisations to showcase their services, the events can help raise awareness about the support available to residents aged 50 and over. However, the success of these events will depend on the level of engagement and participation from the community. It is also important to consider the potential challenges and limitations of such events, such as accessibility and inclusivity. As noted by [[councillor-ian-chandler|Councillor Ian Chandler]], the events aim to make sure people know what support is available in their local communities and feel confident accessing it.
Optimistic View
These wellbeing events are a great opportunity for residents aged 50 and over to connect with local organisations and access support services. The events will help promote wellbeing, independence, and community connection, which are essential for a healthy and fulfilling life. By bringing services and organisations together in one place, Monmouthshire County Council is demonstrating its commitment to being an Age-Friendly community, as recognised by the [[world-health-organization|World Health Organization]]. This initiative has the potential to make a significant positive impact on the lives of older residents in Monmouthshire.
Critical View
While the wellbeing events in Monmouthshire may have good intentions, they may not be enough to address the complex issues faced by the county's ageing population. The events may not be accessible to all, particularly those with mobility or transportation issues. Additionally, the events may not provide a comprehensive solution to the social isolation and loneliness that many older residents experience. More needs to be done to address the root causes of these issues and to provide sustainable support to older residents in Monmouthshire. The involvement of organisations such as [[gwent-dementia-friendly-communities|Gwent Dementia Friendly Communities]] and [[south-wales-police|South Wales Police]] may help to address some of these concerns.
Source
Originally reported by Monmouthshire County Council