AN OXFAM-led project has helped improve the lives of more than 100 disadvantaged people in the Duffryn area of Newport over the past three years.

The charity’s Building Livelihoods and Strengthening Communities in Wales worked with young families, single parents, disabled people, those with mental problems and others to help them gain new skills, increase their confidence and improve their lives overall.

Now the charity is calling on the next Welsh Government to use the project as an example for its future work to cut poverty across Wales.

Mandy got involved in the scheme after moving to Duffryn from another part of Newport and said it had turned her life around.

“Before the project got in touch with me I never made any appointments, failed to show up for social services meetings and I used to shy away from any social contact,” she said. "I was socially excluded.”

She said she was offered support with her children’s education, her health and other issues which she was forced to confront.

“I am happy to say that I am not that person I once was,” she said.

“During my time with the project I have grown in confidence and have great self belief.

“I enjoy working in my community with family and friends, tending to the community allotment, gaining accredited qualifications and feel thrilled after being nominated and obtaining numerous awards for services to Duffryn and volunteering.

“The distance I’ve travelled has been massive.”

She is now planning on training as a nurse.

A study carried out at the end of the scheme showed 31 people had gained new skills or improved their confidence as a result of the project, another 31 had become more involved in community activities and 13 people said it had improved their lives “measurably”.

Another 38 were able to access more social or other services through the scheme, while 15 took up voluntary placements and eight found jobs.

The charity has attributed much of this success to the use of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), which takes a tailored, individual approach to tackling poverty. And the organisation is now calling on the Welsh Government to use the method - first used in Oxfam projects in Africa - in its future work to stamp out poverty.

Head of Oxfam Cymru Carys Thomas applauded the work of those involved in the project.

“We’re so proud of all nine of our project partners and all participants, as we have been able to see first-hand that this approach works and has the potential to make a real difference across the whole of Wales,” he said.

The project was funded by the Big Lottery, Unilever and Oxfam itself and was run in nine different locations in Wales, with Duffryn Community Link taking charge of the area’s section.