Posted on: Friday 5 June 2026
This #VolunteersWeek, we're celebrating our wonderful volunteering community who are helping to bring to life the Torfaen Deal. Today, the voluntary groups who are joining forces to make a difference.
Five voluntary groups have agreed to work more closely together as part of a new Pontypool Voluntary Alliance.
Friends of Pontypool Town, Pontypool Park Friends, Pontypool Community Taskforce, ArtRegen and Torfaen Access Forum have joined forces to work more collaborative on projects that improve and enhance the town centre.
To mark the launch, the groups will be holding a Big Help Out and Big Lunch event at Pontypool Park on Saturday June 6, supported by Torfaen Voluntary Alliance.
Volunteers will take part in a range of activities, including:
- Litter picking across Pontypool Town & Park
- Weeding at Torfaen Museum Car Park
- Cleaning signage
- Pathway clearing
- General banking and green space tidy-ups
All volunteers are welcome to meet at Pontypool Park Bandstand at 10am. Lunch will be provided by Torfaen Voluntary Alliance, thanks to funding from Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Gwent. Register here
Aimi Morris, Torfaen Voluntary Alliance Chief Executive, said: "TVA has been pleased to support local groups in coming together to explore how they can work more collaboratively for the benefit of Pontypool.
"The emerging alliance reflects a shared commitment to strengthening community connections, encouraging volunteering, and delivering positive change through collective action."
Cllr Fiona Cross, Executive Director for Communities, added: "The alliance is an example of the Torfaen Deal in action. The Deal is about harnessing the power of communities to identify and achieve common goals alongside organisations like the council and TVA, to help our communities healthier and more resilient."
It's the first time national The Big Help Out and Big Lunch events have been held on the same weekend.
The Big Help Out aims to encourage people to have a go at volunteering and the Big Lunch aims to celebrate food, friendship and fun.
You can find a wide range of voluntary opportunities by visiting Connect Torfaen.
If you would like to find out more about the Torfaen Deal, come along to our Torfaen Deal Village at the Cwmbran Big Event, on Saturday June 12, and Party in the Park, on Saturday July 11.