Posted on: Thursday 15 January 2026
A popular fitness programme that has helped hundreds of women improve their health is entering an exciting new phase.
The council’s If You Go, I Go, which has been running for nearly a decade, is now working with former participants to offer more health and wellbeing activities for women in their local communities.
The expansion responds to growing demand from women who want to stay active, with some stepping up to lead sessions themselves.
Laura Wade, 37, has trained to lead pickleball sessions - a fast-growing racket sport and one of the most popular activities from the 10-week programme.
Laura said: “Before taking part, I didn’t have the confidence to exercise on my own. Meeting women who felt the same changed everything.
“We’ve built friendships that will last a lifetime. A year later, I never imagined I’d be helping to run a pickleball club.”
Laura, alongside fellow participant Heidi Nicholson-Evans, 60, both from Cwmbran, set up a women’s pickleball club in October. They have since re-branded as ‘Pickle Belles' and run sessions at Croesyceiliog Secondary School every Thursday, 6–7 pm.
Another group, If You Dink I Dink, will be led by Caroline Genever-Jones, 52, from Pontypool, and Rhiannon Pearce, 41, from Blaenavon. Sessions run every Wednesday, 6–7pm, at the Bowden Active Living Centre in Trevethin.
Caroline said: “When I started If You Go, I Go, I hadn’t taken part in any sport for years and had zero confidence. Completing it gave me the boost I needed to try new activities—and I’ve loved playing pickleball.
“If you want to improve hand-eye coordination, build strength, or just have fun, come along. It’s open to adults of all ages.”
Training is provided by the council in partnership with Torfaen Pickleball Club, with running costs covered by session fees. More participants are also training to lead other activities, including running and walking groups.
A recent independent evaluation by Swansea University and WIPHAS praised the If you go I go programme, finding women are more likely to stay active when socially supported and have someone to attend with.
Cllr Fiona Cross, Executive Member for Communities, said: “This is a fantastic example of the Torfaen Deal in action - empowering residents, harnessing community support, and creating opportunities that make a real difference to health and wellbeing.”
If you go I go launched in 2017 to help women overcome barriers to physical activity such as confidence, cost, childcare, and lack of social support.
The next programme starts 19 January. For more information, email megan.parker@torfaen.gov.uk