Abs Blast Tue, 31st January, 17:30 – 18:00 One To One Gym, Trefforest Ind Est, rct

An instructor led class, this 30 minute session will give you a full core conditioning and works well as part of a cardiovascular program. http://www.onet/​oonegym.co.uk/c​lass-absblast.p​hp £3.50

"Think about this..."

“The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”

(Mohandas K. Gandhi, ‘Mahatma’)

Imagine a small leak in the roof of a house. Drip, drip, drip... Over months, perhaps years, a few drops of harmless rain water collect to form a great pool of many gallons, gradually filling the loft to flood stage, rotting away the supporting joists, straining the floor boards to breaking point. The problem is recognized and acknowledged only when the ceiling caves in and the living room is destroyed.  The house owner asks himself, as he goes over the wreckage and begins to assess the damage: ‘How could I not have noticed that? How could I let a terrible thing like this happen, and be so blind to it?’

Imagine that this small leak in the roof is the drip, drip, drip of emotional abuse, the most subtle of cruelties. Emotional abuse begins insidiously, often gradually. The effects, which can last a lifetime, may not become apparent for months, perhaps decades, until a crisis ensues. If and when the victim recognizes what has been happening all along, he or she is likely to ask, ‘How could I have let this happen? Why didn’t I stop it before it went this far?’

Persons who are the victims, or indeed the perpetrators, of emotional abuse, often do not recognize the abuse for what it is.

There is no widely-agreed, concrete definition for emotional abuse. People offend each other every day with harsh words, wrong deeds and awkward comments. In healthy circumstances, apologies are made, restitution offered, and forgiveness obtained. It is, rather, chronic patterns of abusive behaviour, and the acceptance of abusive behaviour as normal, that create emotionally abusive environments.

How does abusive behaviour go unnoticed? Why does it ever become acceptable?

Take, for example, a little child who grows up in an emotionally abusive environment . Such a child will form a distorted view of love and relationships. He (or she) will not understand normal kindness, forgiveness and tolerance. He or she will grow up to believe that abusive adults are normal, and that their hostility, threats, control tactics and manipulations are acceptable. The child’s personality and behaviour will develop accordingly. Such a child is likely to go through life unwittingly seeking abusive relationships, as either victim or perpetrator, wondering why things never seem to work out. Such a person will continually ask, ‘Why am I always so unhappy? Why do all my relationships go wrong? ‘

Contrast this with the child who is raised in an emotionally supportive home. He (or she) learns to love and respect both self and others. He or she learns forgiveness, tolerance, self-discipline, compassion and flexibility. When this child grows up, he or she will look for, and almost certainly find, relationships with those who are loving and kind, and reject those who behave abusively.

Try this little quiz to help you determine whether you might be the victim of emotional abuse. Before you begin, it is important to understand that both men and women can be the victims, and the perpetrators, of emotional abuse.

The quiz can be found on its original page here:

Do you:

Feel afraid of your partner much of the time?

Avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner?

Feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?

Believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?

Wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?

Feel emotionally numb or helpless? 

Does your partner:

Humiliate or yell at you?

Criticize you and put you down?

Treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?

Ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?

Blame you for their own abusive behavior?

See you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?

Act excessively jealous and possessive?

Control where you go or what you do?

Keep you from seeing your friends or family?

Limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?

Constantly check up on you?

Now try switching the headings ‘Do you’ and ‘Does your partner’. Could you be the abuser?

Answering ‘yes’ to any of these questions, with the headings in either position, is reason to suspect you are involved in an emotionally abusive relationship. The more you answer ‘yes’, the worse the situation is likely to be.

If you think you might be a victim of emotional abuse, you can heal  and learn to seek happier relationships.

If you suspect you might be the abuser, consider learning a new way to live. 

20th January Positive Steps Group Support 1.00pm -3.00pm The Darren Las Community Building

Health,Relation​ships,Money, Family, these are some of the things that can effect our mental wellbeing at any time in our lives if you or someone you know are experiencing problems with mental ill heath then come along to Positive Steps Group for information and support you will be able to share experiences with others who have similar issues in a friendly and confidential setting for more information call Jill on 01443 479713 or 07795391852

Body Combat Classes Thu, 19 January, 18:30 – 19:00 TP5 Main Avenue Treforest Ind Estate Pontypridd Rhondda

Combat is a non-contact mixed martial arts choreographed workout that will burn some serious calories and leave you feeling Empowered." (personal trainer, one to one gym) Class £3.50 www.onetoonegym.co.uk/class-bodycombat.php

Rule Out Abuse

Together, we can Rule Out Abuse

Age Cymru believes no adult should have to endure abuse, and together we can “Rule it out”.

Did you know there is currently no duty on local authorities to investigate cases of abuse or potential abuse?

Age Cymru believe this must change and that a new law is needed to support and protect adults who are at risk of abuse.

A new law is just one of the tools that need to be used to protect adults from abuse, and there is a lot more that we can do together to Rule Out Abuse.

A new law is one of the actions in our Rule Out Abuse charter, which we have developed to set out actions the Welsh Government can take to strengthen adult protection processes.

The Rule Out Abuse charter

The Rule Out Abuse charter calls on the Welsh Government to commit to three principles which should underpin all work to protect adults at risk of abuse:

• Prioritise safety

• Protect from harm and respect choices

• Promote the right to dignity and respect

Read more>> 

18th January Quiz Night 8.00–10.00pm Club 19 Pontypridd Golf Club Ty Gwyn Road Pontypridd

Make every wednesday night your quiz night at Pontypridd Gold Club - All are welcome and entry is only £1!! Club 19 Restaurant & Bar The chef team at the Clubhouse are well experienced in fulfilling your culinary expectations With a range of home cooked foods to choose from you can take advantage of the warm, inviting and relaxed atmosphere. Call Pontypridd Golf Club on 01443 409904 To book your events

Tuesday 17th January Uganda Fundraising Evening Rhondda Sports Centre, Ystrad

7.30pm - 10.30pm Tonypandy School are holding a Fundraising evening for their link school in Mumbale, Uganda. The Spectacular Evening will include a 3 Course Meal, Auction, Disco and Performance from Sophie Evans - the 'Over the Rainbow' star.tickets £20 If you would like more information or to reserve a ticket, please call Kim Davies on 07989241157 or call the Community Team on 01443 436171 ext 218.

15th January Aladdin 3D 7pm - 11pm Swansea Grand Theatre

Swansea Grand Theatre will be transformed into Old Peking for this year’s pantomime, Aladdin. The pantomime will feature an array of ground-breaking 3D special effects.The cast (to be announced very soon) will share the stage alongside a very special and unusual co-star as the Genie of the Lamp comes to life in amazing 3D!Wearing 3D glasses at certain points throughout the show the audience can rub the magic lamp as it appears in front of their nose, summon the magical Genie from his lamp and join Aladdin on a superb magic carpet ride!The cast features Jimmy Osmond and Zoe George. Prices: Call the box office on 01792 475715. http://www.swanseagrand.co.uk/

13th January Beauty And The Beast Porth The Factory

Stardreams Musical Theatre Company are proud to present one of the most popular and enchantingly romantic stories ever told, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. £8 Adults £5 Children and Senior Citizens Family Tickets (2 adult and 2 children) £20 www.stardreams.co.uk|  Call the Box Office on 01443 439466 6 

10th January 11am - 3pm Rhondda Listening Friends St. John’s Church Hall, Ton Pentre

We are a self-help group of people who understand what it’s like to have depression. Anything discussed will be treated in confidence.You can join the group at anytime during the opening hours and stay for as long as it suits you. Tea and coffee will be available

7th January 16:00 – 18:30 Penrhiwceiber Cinema Penrhiwcieber Institute Hall

For film listings please contact Michelle on 01443 473711 Every Saturday doors open at 4pm with feature presentation starting at 4:30. Film listings available on request. Cost Adults £3.00 Children/O.A.P. £2.00

6th January Hirwaun Outreach 13:00 – 16:00 St Lleurwg’s Church Hall

We offer Activities which include Arts & Crafts Short Walks. Please email Tracy or Natalie or contact them on T: 01685 881113 for more information about the Cynon projects.

Little Shadow Puppet

Just added the poem called 'Little Shadow Puppet' by Ben Gray

Little Shadow Puppet describes the feeling of being made invisible, silenced and little more than a puppet in modern society and the mental healthcare system. The poem tries to communicate the feeling of being made to dance like a puppet to a tune that is not your own, that suppresses individuality, creativity, freedom of expression and real dialogue between people. The shadow puppet is also a metaphor and can easily be pictured in the imagination. The poem suggests that the experience of hearing voices or being labelled with ‘mental illness’ can make people feel like ‘a shadow of your former self’. The shadow is also a metaphor or image for the dark and perhaps destructive experience of hearing voices that other people cannot or will refuse to hear. The poem was inspired by Wayang Kulit, a theatre of the shadow puppet from Indonesia.

View the poem here > http://www.mentalhealthsupport.co.uk/poetry.html

SHAPE YOUR FUTURE TODAY!

The WEA’s Engagement  Gateway project can help you on your way to achieving your goals!....

Be confident, be assertive, be positive! We can show you how in a one day session packed full of hints and tips to help boost your confidence.

It’s your future so sign up today!

When:        January 20th and January 27th 2012

Where:       New Horizons, Aberdare

What time: 10:00 – 3pm with lunch break

Contact:     Tracy Thomas, New Horizons  01443 881113

When:        February 1st and February 8th 2012

Where:       New Horizons Dinas Outreach

What time: 10:00 – 3pm with lunch break

Contact:     Alison Williams, New Horizons  01443 681881

visit:http://www.newhorizons-mentalhealth.co.uk/activities.html