CIC34 Report for Project FREE - Connecting Communities CIC Year to April 30th 2025 Since establishing Project FREE in June 2024 we have delivered a range of projects and events. We are continually seeking and applying for grants to support our work and were able to be successful on multiple occasions this year. Grants Awarded As well as the £10,000 guaranteed annually for 3 years from The Linking Network, Project FREE received two small awards during this period, both of £500; one from Corah Foundation and the other from Shakespeare Martineau (Florence Turner Trust). We have spent time and effort in establishing a Stake Holders Group for Leicester Schools Linking - which has also been helpful for other aspects of Project FREE’s work. Linking Projects 1. Schools Linking Connected 87 classes from 32 schools building relationships between approximately 2500 children & young people across ‘perceived differences’ – eg faith, ethnic, socio-economic or geographical elements. A programme of activities is delivered to pairs of linked classes that builds belonging and empathy, challenges stereotypes and enhances community connectedness. Trained over 50 teachers from 32 schools and provided them with ongoing support and resources to deliver age-appropriate activities within their settings to enable children and young people to explore their identity and the identities of others as well as the concepts of diversity, community and justice. Supported children’s and young people’s mental well-being by providing opportunities for them to be their authentic selves in their school and fostering a sense of ‘felt understanding’ where they know, others understand them. Built connections between young people from different backgrounds by bringing them together to meet in person, take part in collaborative activities, and overcome fear or misperceptions, so benefitting the wider local area. 2. Intergenerational Linking Facilitated active relationships between 5 partnerships of young people in schools with older people from care homes and day centres. For eg we developed an Intergenerational Windrush Project working with a school and a day centre where the goal is to find raise for a mural to be constructed as the first Windrush memorial in Leicester Supported schools and older peoples settings with shared activities, eg gardening, crafts, yoga, steel pans, singing etc - these are rooted in a reciprocal relationship based on equal status, bi-directional learning & mutual benefit - many have provided a really powerful opportunity to use so-called ‘home languages’ so presenting them as a valuable asset for children not a deficit as is often the case. Online Events/Resources A range of free online events have been hosted by Project FREE giving educators access to topics of interest which benefit their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 1.Oct 2024 - Changing The Narrative - Challenging Islamophobia in the Classroom 2. March 2025 - Changing The Narrative - Disrupting Disinformation These free online events provide curriculum support and enrichment activities for educators. This work supports anti-racism agendas in educational settings, raises awareness of marginalised issues or knowledge and enhances SMSC, DEIJB & curriculum development work. 3. Project FREE collaborated with a group of educators during August and September 2024 - and produced a resource to support schools seeking to address issues raised by the racist violence seen in 27 locations that summer. 4. During the year Project FREE has been engaged in many collaborative initiatives with other educators and social justice organisations, eg Maslaha, The Black Nursery Manager, Windrush 100, - these are all on-going and part of our wider work to develop educational resources and communities. In-Person Events 1. The Roots of Our Tree - Richard III Learning Event Project FREE was part of a collaboration between Leicester City Council and Inspirate Arts to put on a series of artist visits and creative events for a range of Leicester Primary schools. Our role was to provide Educational Engagement services, recruiting and supporting the schools taking part and ensuring smooth communication etc 2. Leicester Year 6 Forum From September 2024 to June 2025 Project FREE was engaged in a Crowd Funding initiative to host an in-person event for Year 6 pupils from across Leicester. This involved a lot of work reaching out to stakeholders and interested parties as well as planning the structure of the event and the admin required in getting schools to engage. The event itself took place in June 2025 - outside of this financial year, and will be included in next years report. In the future all these aspects of our work will continue and develop. We are already engaging five new primary schools in our Schools Linking project for 2025-26. There are plans to build in to the Schools Linking offer a new Neutral Venue visit aspect in collaboration with the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre- funding is being sought for this during 2025-26 so as to introduce it as part of the 2026-27 programme. We have plans to develop an International Linking offer - and a Youth Linking offer despite having no current funding. Alongside this, with no current funding we are still supporting partnerships within our Intergenerational Linking offer. We are hosting more free online educator events - with sessions planned for Sept 2025, Nov 2025 and Jan 2026. The event in November is a collaboration with Educate Against Islamophobia and Islamophobia Awareness Month. Project FREE is also I’m discussions with Leicester Violence Reduction Network and other local anti-racist workshop providers and we plan to engage with schools as much as possible to address the need for support for them in challenging the rising tide of racist violence and language seen over the last few years.

Consultation with the local communities for views and requirements

The total amount paid or receivable by Director Ruth Sinhal in respect of qualifying services was £10,800 for Project Manager and £2,000 for Under School Engagement There were no other transactions or arrangements in connection with the remuneration of directors, or compensation for director’s loss of office, which require to be disclosed.

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration