A Blackwood group with community interests at its heart has teamed up with a national cancer charity to offer residents a free health check today in the town.
A mobile Tenovus Cancer Care bus is set up in the Home Bargains car park at Blackwood Gate Retail Park today (Friday July 7) from 10am, and members of the public are invited to get a free health check and receive information about Tenovus and the cancer support services available across Caerphilly County Borough.
The Blackwood Friends of Tenovus group is based at the Libanus Lifestyle Centre, on Libanus Road in Blackwood, and meet on Tuesdays between 10.30am and 12.30pm for a coffee morning to organise events and fundraising.
Libanus Lifestyle is made up of 15 local councillors, volunteers, and workers in the care sector, and was formed in November 2015 with the aim of providing a range of services to local residents by converting an unused chapel into a community hub.
Last year, the group was awarded a £25,000 grant from Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Community Regeneration Fund towards the restoration of the Libanus Chapel, Blackwood.
Karen James from the group said while restoration of the chapel was still in progress, the venue was already hosting community classes.
She said: “The main hall and flooring is being refurbished at the moment. We’ve done the windows, and things are ticking along nicely.
“We’ve got lots of memorabilia from when the old council offices in Pontllanfraith were closed down, like crests, flags and paintings of former mayors from the Islwyn borough. We want to display those in the halls when it’s all decorated.
“We are still open, however, and have been hosting various sessions including yoga and mindfulness classes.”
Libanus Lifestyle are also in the process of applying for a Heritage Lottery Fund.
For more information on Libanus Lifestyle, contact karen@libanuslifestyle.co.uk.