Skate Park Project

01 May 2005

The hard work of the skate park project continues with the group meeting every Wednesday at 4pm. If you know teenagers who are interested in skating or would like to join the project, please contact Julie George the senior Youth Worker at Communities First.

St Joseph's Environmental Festival from 1st June

1st June 2005

This event will include Chain Saw sculpture, Exhibition of local artwork, Rickshaws down to the Country Park!, Opening of Teenagers Graffiti Wall, Opening of Film Festival & Environmental Festival, Big Green Fun Day at Glynhafod School, Community Group visits ... and lots and lots more.

partnership

[This text originally appeared as the homepage for this website in 2004. Direct link to Communities First Action Plan.]

The community of Cwmaman is situated within a dead end valley in the heart of the former South Wales coal field. In common with other Valleys communities it has suffered from a range of problems associated with the decline of the coal industry over the last century and the gradual erosion of community facilities and organisational structures.

The South Wales Valleys, as a region is one of the poorest in Wales. Aberaman South Ward is included in the index of multiple deprivation and falls within the top 10% of most deprived wards in Wales. Cwmaman remains isolated, from the mainstream economic and social provision of the region. Unemployment levels are higher than the Welsh national average; 23.5% of the local population have a limited long term illness, (13.1% UK average). Almost half (43.9%) have no access to a car.

The Communities First Partnership

Cwmaman Communities First Partnership was established in October 2001 to address these problems. It aims to bring individuals, voluntary groups, and public and private sector organisations in the community together to help create a better future for the area. Under the Welsh Assembly Communities First Programme, funding was secured for the Partnership to employ a Co-ordinator & Administrator.

In identifying its concerns and priorities for improving the area, the Partnership has consulted closely with the local community; with public and private sector organisations in Cwmaman, and with Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council. The Partnership has appointed and is working closely with specialist consultants to produce an action programme, which addresses the needs of the community. A range of organisations working together and sharing resources will implement the projects. These initiatives have already secured £242,000 through the Assembly Community Facilities Fund for three separate projects in the community.

Read more about the Communities First Action Plan.