Gwent Archives Achieves National Accreditation

Gwent Archives has been awarded Archive Service Accreditation. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Accreditation is the UK quality standard which recognises good performance in all areas of archive service delivery. Archive Service Accreditation is awarded by the UK Archive Service Accreditation Committee, representing the entire archive sector. Accredited Archive Services ensure the long-term collection, preservation and accessibility of our archive heritage. Achieving accredited status demonstrates that Gwent Archives has met clearly defined national standards relating to management and resourcing; the care of its unique collections and what the service offers to its entire range of users. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Gwent Archives is a regional archives service, serving the local authorities of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen. Its mission is to collect, preserve and make available for research the historical records relating to the area it serves. Since 2011 it has occupied premises in Ebbw Vale in the General Office a grade 2* listed building, the former headquarters of the Ebbw Vale Steelworks. Purpose-built storage and conservation facilities have been annexed to it. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Tony Hopkins, County Archivist commented: ‘This award is recognition of the high quality of service that Gwent Archives offers the researcher and the professional level of care we provide for archives. It crowns five years of hard work since moving into our new building. It has been a team effort and I am very proud of all the staff who have contributed to this achievement.’ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Archive Service Accreditation assessors noted that the service had developed in recent years ‘both in terms of major improvements in collection care and the fundamental development of the stakeholder offer.’ The assessors felt that the service ‘had very positive momentum, looking to develop from a sound foundation.’ They particularly commended activity with local partnerships and with mental health groups ‘as model work to develop outreach to a variety of communities’. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​