Below are descriptions of the individuals who make up Cwmdulais Uchaf Communities First Partnership, including the organisation they work for and the sector they represent.

Geraint Lewis, Call of the Wild, Business Sector
Geraint is the Chair of the Partnership and has been for the duration. Geraint has a background in Business Administration and is currently running a very successful outdoor activities company, which he also jointly owns. His business is located in Seven Sisters and is a key employer in the area. Geraint's acute business acumen and personal drive has been integral in the Partnership's development.

Diane Keenan, Onllwyn YMCA, Voluntary Sector
Diane is the secretary of Onllwyn YMCA, a position that she has held for many years. A renowned volunteer, she has been a key individual in the successes of Onllwyn Carnival for many years. Always active in the community, her expertise is in providing services to meet the needs of the children in the valley.

Stuart Douglas, Dulais Valley Partnership, Voluntary Sector
Stuart is the Project Manager of Dulais Valley Partnership. Dulais Valley Partnership has a duality of existence within Communities First, as an equal partner and as Grant Recipient Body. This dichotomy could have proven detrimental to the process, as identities become blurred. Stuart, though, has consistently spoken out for partnership working, highlighting the importance of relationship in partnerships.

Julie Bibby/Lesley Smith, Dove Workshop, Voluntary Sector
Julie and Lesley are joint coordinators of Dove Workshop and share a seat on the Partnership. Dove Workshop has been provided community education in Banwen for twenty years. Proponents of 'taking the learning to the learner', Dove Workshop, along with several partners, launched the Community University of the Valleys in 1993. Julie and Lesley are experts in the field of Community Education, always keen to react to community needs and strong believers of organic development.

Andrew Millard, NPTCVS, Voluntary Sector
Andrew is Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Services' Communities First Networking Officer. This means that Andrew sits on all of the Communities First Partnerships in Neath Port Talbot. This level of information has paid dividends during the past two years, as Andrew has been able to share best practice and inform the Partnership of work happening across the County.

Eira Roberts, Community Sector
Eira is a resident of Onllwyn. A true community activist, Eira's voluntary work is legendary within her village. A champion of Children and Youth People, she has helped provide support and facilities youth as part of her role within Onllwyn YMCA. Just recently, Eira's had work in the community has been formally recognised as she received High Sheriff of Neath Port Talbot's Award, an accolade that we are most proud of her achieving.

Desmond Williams, Community Sector
Des is a resident of Seven Sisters and the secretary of Bryn Bedd Residents Association. Des has always taken an active part in life in Dulais Valley. He has been involved in many organisations over the years and represented the community in different arenas. His involvement in Seven Sisters ATC has lead to the refurbishment of their hall, enabling them to open it for public use.

David Lewis, Community Sector
Dai is a resident of Seven Sisters has espoused the achievements of Communities First since the start. He has always believed in local accountability and is diligent in reporting back to the community, the work that Communities First engages with. He has also done an excellent job promoting the Communities First Trust Fund to all that will listen.

Cllr. Alun Thomas, Onllwyn, Statutory Sector
Ali is the Elected Member for the Electoral Division of Onllwyn. With ten years experience as County Councillor for area, Ali is very popular with his electorate. He has been a key figure in the regeneration of the valley over the past twenty years and has embraced Communities First, giving his utmost support to the process. Ali has recently been elected as Deputy Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council's Cabinet.

Com. Cllr. Dafydd Francis, Seven Sisters, Statutory Sector
Dafydd is an elected Community Councillor for Seven Sisters. He is newest member of Cwmdulais Uchaf Communities First Partnership. That is no indicator of his knowledge or commitment, though, for he is a young and enthusiast community activist. For quite some time he has been involved in the development of Seven Sisters Rugby Club and has worked hard for refurbishment and regeneration of the recreation ground in Seven Sisters, something that he no doubt will succeed in doing.

Cllr. Peter Lloyd JP, Seven Sisters, Statutory Sector
Peter is the elected Member for the Electoral Division of Seven Sisters and has represented his community for over twenty years. This is testament to his popularity and in 2003/04 he was honoured by being His Worship, Lord Mayor of Neath Port Talbot. Peter was very proud of this position and did a sterling job, representing, in his words 'not just Seven Sisters but the Dulais Valley'.

Madeline Edwards, NPTLHB, Statutory Sector
Maddy is the Communities First Planner Manager Neath Port Talbot's Local Health Board. She, like Andrew Millard, sits on all of the Communities First Partnerships in Neath Port Talbot, promoting best practice with the field of Health and Well-Being. Maddy has been keen to identify existing Health Provision and the gaps in meeting the community's needs. Her work towards this has been excellent, and she is already interfacing on how services can be improved and promoted better within our communities.

Com. Cllr. Thomas Marston, Onllwyn, Statutory Sector
Tom is an elected Community Councillor for Onllwyn. A long-serving member of the Community Council, for many years he has been active in the campaigning for regeneration in the community. A great advocator of the environment, Tom has played an important part in the revitalising of community land that has been victim to opencast mining. He has achieved notable successes in this area, a simply walk around the valley will highlight this.

Bill Jenkins, NPTCBC Communities First Team
Bill is a Participation and Liaison Officer for the County Borough Council and acts as an advisor on the Partnership. His predominant role is support the Local Councillors' involvement in Communities First but his worth extends far beyond this. The abilities and commitment of our Local Councillors allow Bill to research partnership structures, legal guidance and community development and his input during the Partnership's development has been invaluable.

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