Duffryn is situated in Tredegar Park Ward, which is recognised as the 23rd most deprived area in Wales. The area also suffers from the highest levels of child and income deprivation according to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. Duffryn Community Link is committed to providing local services and equal opportunity to all whilst providing a range of activities to build community capacity and confidence. Social exclusion is a complex state that cannot be attributed to any one thing. It is something that has happened over time and therefore it will take time to unravel the particular intricacies that are specific to Duffryn and Tredegar Park Ward in order to develop an inclusive community.
Since the Link became a registered charity in 1998 we have managed to secure more than £2,000,000 for Tredegar Park Ward, which has allowed us to develop the specific projects, and employ several members of staff. Most importantly the money has enabled the Link to become an equal partner with a bargaining tool that can be used to encourage agencies to bend their services and provide additional support.
The Duffryn Community Link is committed to providing quality services and activities. We recognise the importance of quality and the affect that poor quality facilities, housing, services and delivery can have on the community who often feel under valued. This has wider implications for the community who may experience environmental degradation and higher levels of anti social behaviour and crime related issues as well as impacting on people’s health and well being.
We are also aware that there are already a great number of people in the community who have not realised their full potential. There are a great many people in out community with a diverse range of skills and knowledge. We recognise the importance and logic of utilizing potential that already exists. The Link works to break down barriers to participation that will enable people to use and share the resources that they already possess.
The Link has empowered the community providing a platform for voicing opinions and concerns. Many of the public meetings have allowed people to express themselves in a unified and coherent way. Views are taken more seriously when presented as a collective. Issues and concerns can be carried forward and real benefits for the community achieved.
The Duffryn Community Link is recognised as the leading body for community regeneration in Duffryn and has driven forward the Communities First process in Duffryn and indeed across Newport. The model proposed by the Link is now used throughout Newport and is recognised by the Assembly as an innovative and excellent model of good working practice. As a community organisation, Duffryn Community Link is an example of what may be achieved when people work together and it is now recognised by many as a model of best practice and we have supported people from Newport to North Wales. We are also committed to equal opportunity and equal access to opportunity and our work practices and projects demonstrate this.