Movement Matters
Empowering Torfaen Through Activity, Confidence & Community
By strengthening community-led wellbeing opportunities, we empower local residents to build resilience, overcome health barriers, and re-engage with work and daily life, preventing individuals from reaching crisis point and reducing the need for acute health interventions.
Restoring Wellbeing, Preventing Crisis
Operating across accessible local hubs, including Cwmbran Stadium and Pontypool Active Living Centre. Movement Matters creates a structured, step-by-step pathway. We support residents from initial social re-engagement through to physical wellness, emotional resilience, and employment readiness.
By strengthening confidence, breaking social isolation, and improving physical health, our project aims to relieve pressure on local healthcare services by reducing:
Frequent GP visits and reliance
Antidepressant prescribing
Acute mental health interventions
Preventable hospital admissions
Supported by Torfaen County Borough Council through the Trailblazer Community Grant.
What it includes
1. Movement Matters
4 groups
8-week physical rehabilitation & wellbeing program (plus a 1-week induction)
Every participant starts with a 1-on-1 health assessment with a qualified Personal Trainer to build a customised, safe exercise plan suited for chronic condition management (such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions).
Then weekly 2-hour sessions of safe, tailored, low-impact exercise, and practical group support tackling routine-loss, loneliness, and social isolation.
2. Finding Your Strides
Duration: 6 Weeks | 2 Hours per week
Designed to address deep-seated emotional barriers, Finding Your Strides is a practical, supportive course that helps participants build self-belief, dismantle self-doubt, and find their voice. Delivered at a gentle pace in a safe, welcoming group setting, this track focuses on small, manageable steps toward lasting inner strength, whether your goal is trying new hobbies, re-entering the workforce, or simply feeling more secure in everyday life.
3. Inclusive Taster Sessions
For residents who feel intimidated by structured programs, our adaptable taster sessions offer a gentle way to sample activity without immediate commitment:
ChiChi Fit & ChiChi Chair: A musical theatre dance fitness session offering high-impact, low-impact, or completely seated variations.
Yoga: Mindful breathing, alignment, and gentle poses to calm the mind and body.
Who can join this Programme?
The Trailblazer Programme offers free places to eligible Torfaen residents aged 18–64 who are not currently in paid work and face barriers that may make it harder to take part in activities or move towards employment.
These barriers could include health or wellbeing challenges, caring responsibilities, low confidence, social isolation or practical difficulties. You don’t need a formal diagnosis or to share personal details to get in touch.
Not sure if you’re eligible? Get in touch. We’ll check your eligibility confidentially before confirming a funded place and, if the programme isn’t the right fit, help you explore other options where possible.