1. The Big Rock Pool Challenge – community engagement and volunteer leadership During the year, The Rock Pool Project progressed the Big Rock Pool Challenge as a core programme focused on free, monthly community events and the development of sustainable volunteer-led hub structures. Monthly BioBlitz Battle activity was established through the organisation’s hubs, supported by co-development work with volunteers to ensure events are safe, inclusive, welcoming, and scientifically valuable. 2. Marine Citizen Science Week – sector leadership and collaboration A major highlight within the reporting period was the delivery of the first-ever Marine Citizen Science Week (supported by Natural England), delivered across Whitley Bay and Plymouth. The event brought together over 100 participants from 32 organisations to share knowledge, undertake surveys, and strengthen practice in marine citizen science. Workshops addressed challenges including data quality, usability, and volunteer engagement, helping strengthen collaboration and standards across the wider sector. 3. Citizen Science and environmental impact through biodiversity recording Citizen science remained central to the organisation’s work. Participants generated substantial biodiversity evidence via iNaturalist, with thousands of records collected and a strong proportion attaining research-grade verification. This data contributes to wider understanding of marine biodiversity and supports conservation decision-making. Work also progressed on improving data pathways, including systems to identify and share records of priority non-native species. 4. Education, inclusion, and wellbeing The Rock Pool Project continued to prioritise inclusive access to coastal environments and marine learning. Events and engagement approaches were designed to be welcoming to people with different levels of confidence and mobility, and the organisation strengthened links with health and wellbeing partners as part of developing pathways for nature-based participation and social prescribing. 5. Organisational development and capacity building The reporting year included important organisational development, including strengthened staffing and delivery structures for the Big Rock Pool Challenge and investment in improved communications and digital infrastructure. This included progress toward new digital systems to support volunteering, event coordination, and data collection, and continued improvement of public-facing communications and resources. Looking ahead (work initiated within the year) By 31 March 2025, planning was underway for major 2025 public engagement activity, including national-scale mobilisation and communications to broaden participation and support expansion to new locations. While delivery of the national BioBlitz itself took place after the year end, preparatory work before 31 March helped build momentum for wider engagement and recruitment of future hub leaders.

Consultation with stakeholders is a core principle of People Power Science CIC and is embedded throughout the design, delivery, and development of The Rock Pool Project’s activities. During the year ending 31 March 2025, the organisation undertook structured and ongoing consultation with volunteers, participants, partners, and funders to ensure its work remained community-led, inclusive, and effective. Volunteer and Community Co-development A key focus during the reporting year was the co-development of the Big Rock Pool Challenge delivery model. Regular co-development workshops were held with volunteers across existing hubs, providing opportunities to: Shape the structure and roles of volunteer-led BioBlitz Battle events Identify training and support needs Review accessibility, inclusion, and event logistics Inform the development of volunteer handbooks and training programmes Feedback from these sessions directly informed changes to event delivery, volunteer leadership structures, and training priorities, ensuring that activities were practical, inclusive, and sustainable. Annual Gathering and Strategic Input The organisation’s Annual Gathering during the reporting period brought together staff, volunteers, and partners to reflect on progress, share learning, and discuss priorities for future development. This provided a structured opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to organisational planning and helped shape the next phase of the Big Rock Pool Challenge, including plans for expansion to new locations. Partner and Sector Consultation Stakeholder consultation also took place through close collaboration with delivery and strategic partners. In particular, the planning and delivery of Marine Citizen Science Week during the reporting period created opportunities for consultation with a wide range of organisations involved in marine science, conservation, and community engagement. Workshops and discussions held during this event addressed shared challenges around data quality, volunteer engagement, and best practice in citizen science, directly informing future project development. Ongoing dialogue with partners such as the Marine Biological Association and Natural England further supported consultation on data standards, reporting pathways, and the wider use of community-generated biodiversity data. Evaluation and Feedback During the reporting year, formal evaluation processes were put in place to support evidence-based learning. An external evaluator was appointed, and consultation with volunteers and participants contributed to the development of feedback tools used to assess participant experience, learning outcomes, and inclusivity. Early feedback collected during the year informed refinements to event design and volunteer support.

Whilst all directors performed their directorship duties voluntarily, three directors received pay during this time period in order to deliver our services. All this pay relates to funded activities. The gross pay received by our directors was as follows: Dr Ben Holt £30,420.09 Christophe Patterson £14,883.00 Laura Coles £1,978.93

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration