Background

Communities First is the Welsh Assembly Government Flagship Programme aimed at improving the living conditions and prospects for people in the most disadvantaged communities across Wales. It began in 2002 and was announced as a 10 year project running at least until 2012.

There are numerous ways in which local people can get involved and play an important role in their local process.

  • Find out what projects are going on and join in
  • Go to open meetings and give your views on local issues
  • Join the local Communities First Partnership board.
  • Tell Communities First staff teams what your community needs.

Projects are what get people involved and the Communities First process has 6 themes around which there are many projects.

Health & Well Being
Jobs, Business and Income Generation
Environment
Training & Education
Active Communities
Crime & Community Safety

Communities First is going through a transition to become over the next three to four years a much more outcome focussed process, as well as changing the nature of its funding. The Welsh Assembly government describes the next phase of Communities First as

“A programme which will mobilize and enable local people to contribute to the regeneration of their community in practical ways, in line with their local priorities and those of statutory bodies such as the Assembly Government, local authorities and health bodies”.

The whole Communities First Process is aimed at involving everyone in the community from all the sectors:

  • Voluntary
  • Community
  • Business
  • Statutory

Neath Port Talbot has 12 geographical Communities First Partnerships and one Community of Interest. To get more local information either contact the team above or get in touch with your local Communities First Coordinator.