Communities First

Sandfield and Aberavon Community First Info

The 3 wards of Sandfields East, West and Aberavon were granted Communities First status, indicating the high levels of social disadvantage and deprivation that the community experiences. The 3 wards have been divided into 12 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOA’s) in the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) 2008. 11 of the 12 have Communities First status.  8 of the 12 are in the top 10% most deprived LSOA’s in Wales.

The area of benefit has a total population of 18,728 (2001 Census) which encompasses 7,982 households. 24.8% of the population is over 60 years of age. 32.8% have a life-limiting long term illness. 54.4% have no qualifications. According to the NOMIS official labour
market statistics there were 3,990 DWP Benefit claimants in this area in August 2009.

Community Engagement

■ 130 community groups worked with/assisted with funding.
■ £300,000 funding for community groups from, for example, CFTF/Awards for All/Community Chest/Sports Match, Big Lottery.
■ Adult Community Learning outreach services provided for the community.
■ Credit Union collection point established in Aberavon 2007.
■ £10,000 Community Cohesion Fund and NPTCBC Renewal Area funding: Youth
club provision for Aberavon for 3 years.
■ Engaged with over 100 young people though school holiday periods through a
number of diversionary activities per annum.
■ 500 people participated in the STRIDES (2007-2009) project; there were 90 jobs
created and over 1,200 OCN accreditations achieved.

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