Bridges Centre

10/06/2026

🎉 10 Years of the Bridges Community Shop! 🎉

Can you believe it's been 10 years?

This photo was taken on opening day back in June 2016, when the Bridges Community Shop first opened its doors on Monnow Street. Since then, thousands of donations have been given a second life, countless bargains have found new homes, and every purchase has helped support the work of Bridges across Monmouthshire.

What started as a simple idea has become so much more than a shop. It's a place where volunteers gain confidence and skills, where customers know they'll always receive a warm welcome, and where our community comes together to support local people.

Over the past decade, the shop has raised vital funds to help Bridges continue delivering services that tackle loneliness, improve wellbeing and support people across the county.

Following last year's devastating flood, the shop's reopening was a huge milestone for us and a reminder of just how much this community values what we do.

To everyone who has donated, volunteered, shopped with us or supported us over the last 10 years – thank you. You are part of this story. 💚

Do you remember visiting the shop when it first opened? We'd love to hear your memories in the comments below.

03/06/2026

💚 £1,000 raised. One fantastic community. 💚

We were delighted to welcome Alison and Steve McMenemy from Spirit of Monmouth Running Club to Bridges Centre this week as they presented us with a fantastic donation of £1,000 raised through this year's Kymin Dash.

The annual event brings together runners of all ages and abilities to take on the challenge of the iconic climb to the Kymin while raising money for good causes in our local community.

A huge thank you to the organisers, volunteers and everyone who took part. Your support will help us continue delivering our wellbeing services across Monmouthshire while we work towards reopening more of Drybridge House following last year's flood. 💚

Community support like this reminds us just how fortunate we are to be part of such a caring and generous county.

Feeling inspired? The next opportunity to pull on your running shoes for Bridges Centre is the Ross-on-Wye 5K & 10K on Sunday 6th September. Whether you're chasing a PB, jogging with friends or simply taking part for a great cause, we'd love to have you on . See our website for details on how to take part.💚🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Thank you, Spirit of Monmouth Running Club, and everyone who made this donation possible. 💚

02/06/2026

What an incredible milestone! Well done Bridges Community Shop staff & volunteers!! Here's to the next 10 years 🥳💚

01/06/2026

As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week this week, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to all of our incredible volunteer drivers who keep Bridges Community Car Scheme moving 💙

Volunteers’ Week is a UK wide celebration recognising the amazing contribution volunteers make in communities across the country. Since 1984, it has been a chance to shine a light on the kindness, generosity and dedication of people who give their time to help others.

Our volunteer drivers do so much more than just provide transport. They offer reassurance, conversation, independence and connection to people who might otherwise struggle to attend appointments, stay socially connected and remain independent in their own home.

Every mile driven and every hour given makes a real difference.

To all of our volunteers - thank you. Thank you for your giving your time, your compassion, your commitment, and the care you show every single day.

We simply couldn’t do it without you. 🚗✨

Volunteers' Week Bridges Centre

26/05/2026

A big thank you to South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Monmouth branch who attended Drybridge House today following concerns around one of the storage containers on site.

We’re pleased to say everything is safe and well, and we’re incredibly grateful for the speed, professionalism and reassurance provided by the crew.

Thankfully today’s incident was resolved quickly and safely.

Huge thanks again to the team from Monmouth Fire Station for their support 💚🧑‍🚒🚒

22/05/2026

Progress continues at Drybridge House 💚

It’s been good to see contractors and survey teams back onsite this week as the next phase of recovery work gets underway ahead of the long weekend.

Recent work has included:

🔹 Floor investigations - checking beneath our historic timber floors for any signs of water ingress and further damage
🔹 Further opening-up works and wall inspections helping specialists assess the condition of the building fabric following months of drying
🔹 Drone surveys inspecting roofing and guttering - not part of the flood damage, thank goodness!

None of this is especially glamorous, but it’s an important part of making sure the right repairs happen in the right way — particularly in a building as old and complex as Drybridge House.

After months dominated by dehumidifiers and drying equipment, it’s encouraging to see visible progress and practical investigation work now moving forward.

Thank you, as always, for your continued patience and support while this careful restoration work continues. Wishing you all a lovely Bank Holiday in the, wait for it....SUNSHINE!!! ☀️ 💚

21/05/2026

🎶 An evening of music, food and community spirit 🎶

Join us on Saturday 18th July at the beautiful Monmouth Priory for a very special fundraising evening with AfroWelsh Connection — a phenomenal 7-piece band fusing the rhythms and storytelling traditions of West African griots with the rich musical heritage of Wales. 🌍🎻🥁

Expect uplifting music, incredible energy and a warm welcome, all while helping support the work of Bridges across Monmouthshire. 💚

🍛 Your ticket also includes a delicious Jollof rice supper.

📍 Monmouth Priory
🕖 7.00pm
🎟 £20 per person

Tickets available here:
https://www.bridgescentre.org.uk/events/afrowelsh-connection

Bring friends, bring family, bring your dancing shoes… this is going to be a wonderful night. ✨

Join us for an exciting evening of ryhthm & dance!

15/05/2026

A big thank you to Richard, our brilliant caretaker, who has been busy installing this newly donated kitchen 💚

Following the flooding, support like this makes a real difference as we take steady steps forward. It might look like a simple space, but it represents progress, generosity, and the many people helping us rebuild.

We’re so grateful to everyone who continues to support Bridges – every contribution, big or small, helps us get closer to welcoming you all back.

13/05/2026

💚 A small but significant step forward at Bridges 💚

For months now, Bridges has been filled with drying equipment—working quietly in the background as we’ve taken the time needed to let the building recover properly after the flood.

Now, for the first time since then, it’s all been packed away.

It might seem like a simple change, but it marks the end of a really important phase and the beginning of the next stage of work.

We’re not there just yet, and there’s still plenty to do before we can welcome everyone back—but progress is happening, step by step.

Thank you for your continued support and patience—it really does mean everything 💚

11/05/2026

"I hate running… but I’m trying.”

On her second mile, Nadine was ready to stop — until something changed everything.

This is what community looks like 💚

Read more:

A small moment at parkrun that says everything about community. 💚