What exactly is Communities First?
The Welsh Assembly Government established the Communities First programme in 2000. The programme runs in over 150 communities in Wales. Put simply, the programme is designed to help people get more involved in their community and help raise their skills and income.
The Communities First Programme is designed as a "bottom up" approach meaning that decisions are made by the Communities First Partnership. The Communities First support team and other organisations outside of the community such as business and voluntary organisations then help the Partnership to achieve its aims.
The Communities First Programme is designed as a "bottom up" approach meaning that decisions are made by the Communities First Partnership. The Communities First support team and other organisations outside of the community such as business and voluntary organisations then help the Partnership to achieve its aims.
Why was Monkton chosen as a Communities First area?
2000 saw the release of the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. The WIMD measured six ways how County Council wards compared. These were: Income, Employment, Health, Education, Housing and Access to Services.
Monkton had been ranked as the 92nd most disdvantaged ward out of 1896 in Wales. This is based on new criteria, which formed the 2008 Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, and included Lower Super Output Areas, as well as County Council Wards. Monkton remains a Communities First area as it still remains one of the 10% most deprived wards in Wales.
Monkton had been ranked as the 92nd most disdvantaged ward out of 1896 in Wales. This is based on new criteria, which formed the 2008 Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, and included Lower Super Output Areas, as well as County Council Wards. Monkton remains a Communities First area as it still remains one of the 10% most deprived wards in Wales.
Communities First Key Themes
There are seven key themes that all Communities First areas need to consider when carrying out their work. These are namely: Active Community, Health & Wellbeing, Education, Skills & Training, The Environment, Community Safety, Child Poverty and Jobs, Business & Income Generation.
The next stage of Communities First, currently referred to as 'Communities First Futures' will be rolled out in September 2012. There will be changes to our work and delivery, with a 'Cluster' being formed which will include Monkton, Llanion in Pembroke Dock and other areas of need in the locality which have been indentified in the 2011 WIMD. There will be 3 key themes for the next stage of the programme - Healthy, Prosporous and Learning Communities and our work in Monkton will continue, addressing these areas.
For more information, or to get involved in helping us to make a difference in your community, please get in touch!
The next stage of Communities First, currently referred to as 'Communities First Futures' will be rolled out in September 2012. There will be changes to our work and delivery, with a 'Cluster' being formed which will include Monkton, Llanion in Pembroke Dock and other areas of need in the locality which have been indentified in the 2011 WIMD. There will be 3 key themes for the next stage of the programme - Healthy, Prosporous and Learning Communities and our work in Monkton will continue, addressing these areas.
For more information, or to get involved in helping us to make a difference in your community, please get in touch!
