Company Activities and Impact: A Pivotal Year of Transition and Growth Start Change CIC's core mission remains to provide advocacy and mentoring services to Black, Minority, and Ethnic groups, with the aim of fostering recovery and equity. Our unwavering commitment is to empower vulnerable individuals from marginalised communities, providing them with the tools and mindset to achieve their aspirations and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable society. The period from 1st November 2024 to 31st August 2025 was defined by resilience and strategic evolution. Following significant shifts in government funding priorities, the CIC faced a challenging transitional phase. Instead of a slowdown, we leveraged this period as a vital opportunity for strategic development and relationship building, culminating in a significant milestone: securing our first major direct service contract with The Essex Partnership. Our work during this time focused on laying the groundwork for future impactful projects: - Policy and Dialogue: We continued to actively participate in crucial discussions and consultations related to mental health policy, racial equality frameworks (such as PCREF), and broader social justice initiatives. - Needs Assessment and Research: We continued to gather evidence-based insights into the specific challenges faced by marginalised communities in accessing equitable services. This foundational work, while not directly contract-funded, is essential for shaping our future interventions. - Relationship Building: We prioritised strengthening our relationships with key officials and policymakers to ensure the voices of the communities we serve are heard at the highest levels. This advocacy work was instrumental in our push for sustained and targeted funding for community-led initiatives. - Strategic Capacity Building: We used this time to refine our strategic approach, develop new project proposals, and build internal capacity, positioning Start Change CIC for effective service delivery once new funding opportunities arose. This strategic engagement has been crucial in maintaining Start Change CIC’s vital role in shaping the support landscape for vulnerable communities, even during a period of external economic and political shifts. The new contract with The Essex Partnership will now serve as a cornerstone, allowing us to kickstart our direct service delivery with a strong and secure foundation.

Stakeholder Engagement: Ensuring Our Services Meet Community Needs Our commitment to robust stakeholder consultation ensures our services remain relevant and impactful. During the 2024/2025 period, our consultation activities were integral to our success and included: - Direct Beneficiary Feedback: Through individual mentoring and advocacy sessions, we consistently gathered qualitative feedback from the men from racialised communities we support. This ongoing dialogue is central to adapting our approach and identifying emerging needs. We also conducted informal check-ins with past beneficiaries to understand the long-term impact of our interventions. - Partnership Engagement: Our active engagement with key partners, including the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and other community organisations, provided valuable insights into broader community needs and service gaps. This collaborative effort was a direct factor in securing our major service contract with the Essex Partnership. - Advocacy and Policy Dialogue: Our proactive engagement with government departments and equality organisations allowed us to share insights from our direct work, ensuring the voices of vulnerable and marginalised communities in the South East of England are represented in policy discussions. We ensure our consultation methods are as accessible as possible, accommodating diverse communication needs so that all voices, including those of disabled individuals, can be heard effectively.

The total amount paid or receivable by directors in respect of qualifying services was £6,000. 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