The Welsh Assembly Government's Communities First Programme is aimed at tackling poverty and disadvantage in the 100 most deprived communities in Wales, as stated in the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (2000). The Electoral Divisions (wards) of Onllwyn and Seven Sisters sit in this index at 34th and 97th respectively. They are subsequently known as the Communities First area of the Upper Dulais Valley. During 2001/02, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (NPTCBC) implemented preliminary work around Communities First in the Upper Dulais Valley, in conjunction with local voluntary organisations. This work involved engaging with local residents to raise awareness of the Communities First Programme, forming ward Steering Groups and discussing with people how they would like to see the process developed.

In October 2002 a Partnership was formed from representatives of the ward Steering Groups. These people broached the sectors of Business, Voluntary, Community and Statutory, with each having equal representation (the community sector could outweigh the others.) In addition, the Partnership also includes attendance from Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council's Communities First Team, Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Services (NPTCVS) and Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board (NPTLHB). The Partnership has since adopted the title "Cwmdulais Uchaf Communities First Partnership". A breakdown of the Partnership and their contributions is included further on.

During the formation of the Partnership, several organisations across Neath Port Talbot, including NPTCBC, NPTCVS, NPTLHB and Dulais Valley Partnership (DVP), met to discuss the Grant Recipient Body's role and how, if possible, it could be provided locally. The Grant Recipient Body is an organisation that receives the Communities First funding on behalf of the local Communities First Partnership. These organisations need to have structures and records that comply in accordance to Welsh Assembly Government Guidelines. After several meetings and discussions, it was agreed by all that the Dulais Valley Partnership would act as Grant Recipient Body for Cwmdulais Uchaf Communities First Partnership. Throughout the past two years, the Partnership has passed many developmental milestones including each partner signing up to a Partnership Agreement and protocol, and the endorsement of a service level agreement, or relationship document if you like, between Cwmdulais Uchaf Communities First Partnership and Dulais Valley Partnership as Grant Recipient Body. The relationship remains the same today.