Principal activities of the company

To promote, for the benefit of the public of urban or rural regeneration in areas of social and economic deprivation and in particular in the Swansea Valley by all or any of the following means: a. the advancement of education, training or retraining, particularly among unemployed people, and providing unemployed people with work experience; b. the creation of training and employment opportunities by the provision of workspace, buildings and/or land for use on favourable terms; c. the maintenance, improvement or provision of public amenities; d. the provision of recreational facilities for the public at large or those who by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances, have need of such facilities; e. by such other means as may from time to time be determined, subject to prior agreement of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales. Our activities During 2024/25 The Pontardawe Arena continued to operate as a community-led hub, supporting local regeneration through education, community participation and the improvement of public amenities at Riverside. The Trustees are proud of how the community and volunteer team worked together throughout the year, particularly in the context of ongoing financial pressures and the practical challenges created by flooding around the centre. A key focus during the year was supporting learning and development opportunities for young people. With continued support from Swansea Bay Education funding, the charity hosted local school students three days per week, providing an alternative learning environment and tailored support. This programme has helped learners who were at risk of leaving school without qualifications to work towards achieving at least one GCSE (or part qualification), supported by dedicated teaching and supervision. The charity also strengthened its role as a venue and base for partner-led community activity. Forest School Swansea Neath Port Talbot funded and delivered Seedlings and a Home Education group at Riverside, generating regular footfall and rental income for the charity while providing popular nature-based learning opportunities with waiting lists. Alongside delivery from within the building, the charity’s activities continued to centre on environmental improvement and practical community action. Volunteers supported biodiversity planting, the development of raised beds, and the creation of usable outdoor learning and meeting spaces that benefit a wide range of community users.

Additional information

Achievements and performance The Trustees consider 2024/25 to be a year of strong progress in both community impact and the improvement of facilities. The organisation secured and effectively delivered a range of funded projects, while continuing to build volunteer capacity and strengthen the offer available to residents and partner organisations. Education and community participation remained a significant achievement. The continuation of the school placement programme enabled the charity to provide a supportive setting for learners facing barriers to attendance and attainment, improving their opportunity to gain accredited outcomes. In parallel, the Forest School and Home Education provision expanded regular use of the site and demonstrated strong demand for nature-based learning. Facilities and site improvements delivered clear public benefit. During the year, new internal and external fire doors were installed with support from Neath Port Talbot Council’s facilities funding, improving safety and resilience of the building. The charity also progressed the development of an outdoor classroom space: an donated structure was rebuilt with volunteer support and Windfarm Grant assistance (Mynydd y Betws), repurposed into a practical community asset for teaching, shelter and group use. This work also reflected the charity’s environmental ethos through recycling initiatives and biodiversity-focused planting. Environmental resilience and flood mitigation was a major operational focus. Following repeated flooding affecting the car park and footpaths, the charity secured funding for “rain gardens” and led a complex programme of works involving groundworks, materials, planting and volunteer input. The Trustees report that these interventions have significantly reduced flooding in previously affected areas, improving accessibility and the usability of the site. The charity also advanced land management and invasive species control, tackling Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam using non-chemical approaches. A pilot initiative using goats for controlled grazing was trialled successfully, with discussions progressing to expand this approach in future periods. Volunteer development and wellbeing impact continued to be central to the charity’s performance. The volunteer group remained diverse and inclusive, providing meaningful activity, routine and social connection for individuals with a range of needs and life experiences. The Trustees also strengthened safeguarding and event-readiness through volunteer training, with trustees completing outdoor first aid to support safe delivery of community activity. Grant Funding Support The Trustees would like to recognise and thank a range of funding and support partners in 24/25 which allowed the Charity to grow and prosper and lay a platform for success, including: Port Talbot Civic Centre Swansea Bay University Health Board Mynydd y Betws Community Benefit Fund Glantawe Riverside Park Moondance Foundation Neath Port Talbot Community Prosperity Fund Governance: The Pontardawe Arena Trustee board committed to regular quarterly meetings to ensure aims and objectives were met whilst recognising and addressing any challenges. A number of Trustee appointments were made before the start of the fiscal year, increasing the breadth of knowledge, experience, skills to support the organisational growth. As part of that process it is anticipated further appointments will be made to reflect a varied and diverse board. In addition, a strong working relationship is in place our key stakeholders with a clear vision of progression to take the objects further into the community. Future Plans: The Trustees’ priorities for the coming year are to consolidate progress, strengthen financial sustainability and continue improving facilities and the outdoor environment for community benefit. Building on stakeholder engagement, the Trustees plan to develop a clearer medium-term direction for the charity. A key facilities ambition is to progress plans to convert the office space into a kitchen. Although funding for this was withdrawn at a late stage, the Trustees remain committed to pursuing further support, recognising the potential for community cookery sessions, skills development, and practical learning linked to growing and using healthy food. The Trustees will also continue to develop and maximise the use of the outdoor classroom and growing spaces, including through community events and environmental learning activity. The charity intends to build on the success of the flood mitigation programme by maintaining and enhancing the rain gardens and wider planting, alongside continuing work to manage invasive species using environmentally responsible methods. Finally, the Trustees will prioritise outstanding site maintenance needs, including progressing options to assess and repair the small bridge connecting the main car park to the park. Alongside this, the charity will continue to grow earned income through venue hire and partnerships, supporting a more resilient operating model and reducing grant dependency over time. Financial review: The charity’s financial performance for 2024/25 reflects an operating model that blends external funding with locally-generated income. Restricted grants supported delivery of specific projects and improvements at Riverside, including works that increased the safety, resilience and usability of the site. Alongside funded activity, Trustees continued to strengthen earned income through room and site hire to partner organisations, supporting a more sustainable financial base and regular footfall into the centre. Total income for the year ended 5 April 2025 was £59,959 (2024 £73,325), of which just over 86% was generated from restricted funds. Expenditure for the year was £56,241 (2024 £83,728). The net surplus in the year being £3,718 (2024 £10,403 deficit). Reserves Policy The Trustees aim to retain sufficient unrestricted reserves to cover around six months of core operating costs. This provides essential working capital and helps manage risk linked to unforeseen maintenance requirements and external disruption (including severe weather impacts). Unrestricted funds at year end were £42,763 (2024: £39,045) and Trustees will continue to review reserves in line with forward plans and forecast expenditure. Investment Policy and Objectives The charity remains committed to building funds to ensure a strong future in offering activities to support our community.

This report was approved by the board of directors on 29 June 2025
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: Ms K Winter
Status: Director