'Our village has been deprived and cut off - but we won't give up on it'
Residents of an isolated village in Wales say they will not give up on their homes despite it being “deep rooted” in deprivation.
Caerau sits at the top of a beautiful valley and offers incredible views stretching several miles, although it has limited public transport miles away from the town of Bridgend and further such as Cardiff. According to a 2019 Welsh Government report, the cut-off community is “deep-rooted” in deprivation, and data shows it has got worse over time.
It is said to be cut off and even getting to it is becoming more difficult as access along the old walking trails is tricky, residents say. They claim to have also been betrayed in the past by a scandal in which their homes were installed with faulty insulation, leaving them with damp and crumbling walls.
Cllr Paul David says his home just "needs a little attention" (John Myers)However, its locals still refuse to give up on it, WalesOnline reported. Paul David, who lives in Caerau and is also a councillor for Maesteg Town Council, said: "It just needs a bit of attention. People get hung up on the area and amazing views and can’t believe how deprived it is.
“One of the main things I think we need is a better bus route so that more people can travel out into urban areas like to work. Or then go out to places like or . You're never going to see huge jobs in the area again now. An industrial revolution isn't going to take place again so I think we need better transport systems to get people in Caerau out working in different places.
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“But with deprivation you also have to look at it as there being pockets here. Caerau isn't a bad place to live, and there are lots of community groups you can get involved with - the thing is engagement, it's getting people to engage and come out to them.
“Not everywhere is bad, and not everywhere is good. There are pockets of deprivation everywhere."
The area has a lack of access to essential resources (John Myers)In 2012 and 2013, internal and external insulation was fitted at 104 properties in Caerau as part of council and Welsh Government schemes aimed at helping residents in Wales' poorest areas pay their fuel bills. But those same homes that were subject to poor installations suffered issues such as damp, mould and structural damage, and work is only just starting to fix them.
Huw David, Council leader for Bridgend County Borough Council, said: “There is a strong sense of community within the Caerau area, so much so, it is palpable. It is reflected in the many, well-utilised community services available in the village.
"The employability programme is designed to help those aged 16 years and over who are unemployed, are looking for more hours, a second or new job. The programme sources vocational qualifications, volunteering opportunities, as well as offers an opportunity to develop personal skills.
“The hub is equipped with a training room for courses, a job club and access to the internet to support people in their search for employment. There are also smaller meeting rooms available which can host individual appointments with dedicated mentors, who will help to plan a person’s employment journey.
“The council has also been supportive of the recent expansion of Siderise Insulation, which has opened a new £1 million innovation centre at their Maesteg site which reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to the county borough as well as creating more employment opportunities for local residents. These schemes highlight some of the support offered to the Caerau area. However, there are other community initiatives.”
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