IC36: Community Interest Company Report – Black Woman Kindness Initiative (BWKI) Reporting period: 1 Feb 2024 to 31 Jan 2025 Company number: 13841385 Directors: Sophie White, Kaiya Greenidge-Hall At a Glance Headline Stats Total women reached (unique): 500 plus Total engagements (approx): 700 to 900 Sessions or events delivered: 35 to 50 Public performances: 2 Audience (performances): 250 Volunteer hours: 450 to 600 Community Interest Statement Black Woman Kindness Initiative (BWKI) advances the social and economic wellbeing of Black women and girls in Redbridge and neighbouring boroughs by providing creative wellbeing programmes, confidence building performance opportunities, entrepreneurial support, and peer networks. We focus on place based community cohesion, mental wellbeing, and women’s enterprise. Primary beneficiaries: Women and girls (aged 16 and over) from minoritised communities, with open access to women from all backgrounds where appropriate. Summary of Activities and Reach Across all programmes we reached over 500 women (unique participants) and total engagements between 700 and 900. We delivered 35 to 50 sessions or events, 2 stage performances, and 8 to 12 enterprise meet ups and workshops across Redbridge and surrounding boroughs. Create in Mind (8 week mindfulness and creative expression) Cohorts delivered: 2. Participants enrolled: 48 (average attendance 82 per cent). Outcomes: 88 per cent reported improved mood or mental wellbeing; 84 per cent increased confidence to self express; 76 per cent established a personal mindfulness routine (3 or more times per week). Outputs: 16 guided sessions; participant anthology pieces and reflection journals collected. Unheard, Now Spoken (stage adaptation of Voices in Harmony) Performances: 2 (Kenneth More Theatre Ilford and Redbridge Drama Centre South Woodford). Creative team and cast: 12 women (no prior acting experience). Audience: 250 across both shows. Post show surveys: 92 per cent felt more connected to community; 89 per cent gained new insight into Black women and Global Majority experiences. Support and partners: Lifeline Projects (sponsorship), Colours of Redbridge, Arts Council BWKI. Female Founders Club (business network and membership) Members engaged: 85 (mix of paid and free tiers). Activities: 6 brunches or network meet ups; 4 skills workshops; mentor matching pilot planned for 2026. Outcomes: 61 per cent reported revenue affecting action; 38 per cent collaborated with another member; 26 per cent secured at least one new client or commission. Bright Ideas (mentoring and enterprise coaching) Cohort: 10 to 15 women matched to coaches for 8 weeks. Sessions delivered: 80 to 120 one to one and group mentoring hours. Outcomes: 70 per cent progressed to trading or formal launch milestones; 75 per cent improved business planning confidence. Wellbeing Hub (community drop in and signposting) Sessions: 24 to 36. Footfall: 200 to 260 visits (unique 140). Support provided: mental health signposting, benefits or skills referrals, and creative taster activities. Outcomes: 78 per cent reported reduced isolation; 65 per cent accessed at least one follow on opportunity (course, volunteering, or referral). Community Events and Partnerships Collaborations with Metro Bank (Ilford) and The Healing Table during Black History Month; community foyer event at Kenneth More Theatre. Attendees: 180 across partnership events. Beneficiary Involvement (Listening and Co Design) Feedback loops: end of session forms, QR code surveys, quick pulse polls, and post show discussion circles. Advisory voice: Women’s Sounding Board (8 to 10 participants) shaped topics, access needs, and event timings. Changes made: travel bursaries, childcare friendly timings, and inclusion of a shared table set in Unheard, Now Spoken. Community Benefit Delivered Wellbeing: reductions in loneliness and anxiety self scores (median minus 1.0 on a 5 point scale). Confidence and voice: increased self belief, public speaking confidence, and creative expression. Economic participation: founders launched or grew enterprises, collaborations and commissions facilitated. Cohesion and cultural understanding: performances improved cross community empathy and pride in local heritage. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Majority Black women beneficiaries; open access welcome to all women. Venues across Redbridge; targeted outreach to priority wards. Non digital sign ups available; step free venues selected where possible; content culturally sensitive and co produced. Volunteers and Staffing Volunteers: 18 to 25 contributing approximately 450 to 600 hours across front of house, peer mentors, and facilitation. Freelance creatives and facilitators engaged: 6 to 10 (director or producer roles, wellbeing facilitators, photographers). Partnerships and Support Key partners: Lifeline Projects (sponsorship for second performance), Colours of Redbridge, Metro Bank (Ilford), The Healing Table, local venues (Kenneth More Theatre, Mercato Ilford), community and VCSE networks. In kind support: venue space, marketing amplification, refreshments. Referrals and signposting: RCVS, Healthwatch, and local services. Safeguarding, Risk and Quality Assurance Safeguarding policy reviewed in quarter two of 2024 to 2025; all staff and volunteers briefed. Risk assessments for theatre events and workshops; first aider presence as required. Data handled in line with GDPR; consent obtained for photography and testimonials. Asset Lock All surpluses reinvested in community benefit activities (programme delivery, bursaries, materials). No asset transfers except at full value in line with Articles and CIC Regulator guidance. Plans for Next Year Scale Create in Mind to 3 cohorts per year; add youth or intergenerational strand. Expand Female Founders Club with structured mentoring (from 2026), quarterly brunches, and micro grants pilot. Tour Unheard, Now Spoken to 2 to 3 additional boroughs and capture a filmed version. Strengthen Wellbeing Hub partnerships with NHS or ICB and RCVS. Improve monitoring and evaluation with consistent pre and post measures and 3 to 6 month follow ups. Case Studies (Anonymised) S. – Confidence and creative voice: Through Create in Mind, S. re established routine, performed a short poem, and later sold her first prints at a local market. Outcome: sustained wellbeing practice and new income stream. T. – Enterprise growth via Female Founders Club: After workshops and peer mentoring, T. launched online, collaborated on a bundle product, and booked three paying clients within a month. Evidence and Data Sources Registration forms, attendance logs, pre and post self ratings (wellbeing, confidence, business readiness), session feedback forms, QR surveys, qualitative interviews, photo and video consented evidence, social analytics, and mailing list growth.

No consultation with stakeholders

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration