During the financial year, Talking Stigma CIC has continued to build on its mission of supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Black men and boys across urban communities in the UK. Our work centres around breaking stigma, building confidence, and creating safe spaces for real conversations, all rooted in cultural relevance and community trust. Key highlights this year include: 1.London Youth Summer Skills Programme (22 July – 30 August 2025) In partnership with London Youth Organisation, we delivered a 6-week summer employability and wellbeing programme for young people. This project combined confidence-building, emotional intelligence, and practical job readiness workshops, all designed to align with school holidays and engage youth at a critical life stage. Feedback from participants highlighted the positive impact on their mental health, with many expressing they felt more emotionally aware, confident, and future-focused after the sessions. 1.Community Roots Programme (14 October 2024 – 28 April 2025) This ongoing 7-month programme has delivered 14 bi-weekly sessions centred around mental health, identity, and personal development for Black boys and young men. Funded through a £10,000 grant, the programme included barbershop-based safe spaces, guest speakers, creative expression, and peer support circles. It has also provided consistent structure and guidance during the school year, particularly for young people at risk of disengagement. 2.Barbershop Mental Health Sessions We’ve continued to offer drop-in sessions and informal check-ins through local barbershops, where trusted community figures help facilitate conversation and reflection in a relaxed environment. 3.Digital Campaigns and Awareness Work Across our platforms, we’ve shared culturally tailored content aimed at destigmatizing therapy, promoting emotional literacy, and encouraging peer-led support. Together, these activities have: -Boosted confidence and emotional intelligence in young Black boys -Made mental health resources more accessible -Created strong links between community members and local services -Built a consistent presence across digital and physical spaces

Yes, Talking Stigma CIC has made ongoing stakeholder consultation a central part of our approach. We recognise that for our work to be effective, it needs to be shaped by those it impacts most. Who our stakeholders are: -Young people (ages 11–25) from local communities -Parents, carers, and youth workers -Local barbers and barbershop owners -London Youth Organisation -Islington Council -Mental health practitioners and guest facilitators How they’ve been consulted: -Post-session feedback during both the London Youth Summer Skills Programme and Community Roots Programme -Anonymous surveys via QR codes after events -WhatsApp check-ins with parents and community partners -Verbal feedback gathered during drop-in barbershop sessions -Collaborative planning meetings with council staff and youth organisations Actions taken in response to feedback: -Added creative and interactive activities (spoken word, music, discussion games) after young people said they wanted more expressive outlets -Adjusted session times and language to be more inclusive and accessible -Extended wellbeing check-ins into school term time based on parent and teacher input -Developed clearer signposting to local services following stakeholder requests for more direct support routes This feedback loop has ensured our programming remains agile, reflective of lived experience, and directly informed by the needs of our community.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration