Viva Slough’s mission is to make Slough residents healthier, happier and proud of where they live. During the 2024/25 financial year, the organisation delivered a diverse range of projects to meet these objectives. These include employment, health and wellbeing, youth development, community cohesion, public art, culture and place-making. Together, these activities improved the lives of thousands of residents, strengthened community connections, created opportunities for local people and contributed to a more positive perception of Slough. Our approach is based on the belief that thriving communities require more than employment or economic growth alone. People need opportunities to develop skills, improve their health, build relationships, participate in community life and feel pride in their surroundings. The projects delivered during the year addressed all these areas. Helping People into Employment and Economic Participation: One of our most significant areas of impact was supporting people who were economically inactive, unemployed or lacking confidence to move closer to employment. Through programmes such as DRIVE, Digital Skills and LaunchPad, we provided employability support, confidence-building, digital training, careers guidance, mentoring, and placement services. These programmes were particularly targeted at adults returning to work after a career break, new arrivals to the UK, people lacking confidence and those facing barriers to employment. The results were substantial: - 80 participants took part in the DRIVE employability programme, with 60% moving into employment and a further 30% becoming employment-ready. - Digital Skills training helped participants gain confidence using technology, with many reporting significant improvements in their ability to access services, apply for jobs and communicate online. We enrolled 30 participants in the Programme with 15 of them progressing into employment. - Through LaunchPad, aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses received support to start or grow their ventures. More than 50 businesses participated in our Start-Up Festival, helping stimulate enterprise and innovation within Slough. These programmes not only helped individuals improve their economic prospects but also contributed to the local economy by increasing workforce participation, supporting local businesses and reducing social exclusion. Improving Health and Well-being Improving physical and mental well-being remained a core priority throughout the year. Through our BOOST programme, Health Hubs, exercise classes, walking initiatives and community wellbeing activities, we helped residents become more active, reduce social isolation and improve their overall quality of life. Examples include: - More than 150 residents participated in Health Hub activities, with around 50 becoming regular attendees. - Approximately 90% of regular participants reported improvements in their social wellbeing, mental wellbeing or overall quality of life. - Physical activity sessions funded through a range of partners engaged hundreds of residents through exercise classes, sports activities and wellbeing programmes. - Community fitness activities such as Zumba sessions and local sports initiatives helped residents adopt healthier lifestyles and become more socially connected. The impact extended beyond physical health. Many participants reported increased confidence, new friendships and a greater sense of belonging within their communities. Building Stronger Communities A major theme across all our work is bringing people together. Through community events, seasonal celebrations, neighbourhood activities and resident engagement programmes, we helped strengthen social cohesion and reduce isolation. Examples include: - Community development activities at Horlicks Quarter engaged around 50 households, helping residents from different backgrounds build relationships and develop a stronger sense of community. - Easter and Christmas events brought together hundreds of residents, creating opportunities for families and neighbours to connect. - The Give a Gift Christmas event provided gifts and festive activities for families who might otherwise have struggled during the holiday period, benefiting approximately 500 residents. - Community consultation and engagement activities ensured local voices were heard and helped shape future programmes and services. These activities contributed to stronger neighbourhoods, increased volunteering and greater civic participation. Supporting Young People Throughout the year, Viva Slough invested in helping young people develop confidence, leadership skills and a stronger connection to their community. Through youth leadership programmes and community projects, young participants gained practical experience in teamwork, communication, volunteering and project delivery. The benefits included: - Development of leadership and teamwork skills. - Increased confidence and resilience. - Greater engagement with community activities. - Positive contributions to community safety and social responsibility. Many of these young people also became role models in their communities, inspiring others to become active citizens. Enhancing the Local Environment Through Art and Place-Making One of Viva Slough’s most visible contributions during the year was the continued transformation of public spaces through the ArtScape programme. Working alongside artists, volunteers, businesses and community partners, we delivered murals, environmental improvements and public art projects designed to improve local spaces and encourage civic pride. Highlights included: - Public art installations in the town centre and trading estate. - Environmental improvement projects in parks and green spaces. - Early development of the landmark tunnel transformation project. - Volunteer-led activities involving more than 100 community and corporate volunteers. These projects have helped transform neglected spaces into attractive community assets, reducing negative perceptions, encouraging greater use of public spaces and creating opportunities for local artists. Beyond their physical impact, these projects have generated pride, improved well-being, and strengthened community ownership of public spaces. Supporting Arts, Culture and Creativity The year also marked important progress in establishing culture as a driver of community development and economic growth. Projects such as Slough Cultural Revival, Rhyzome and Street Beats supported local artists, creative groups and cultural organisations. Key achievements included: - Creating opportunities for artists to showcase their work and develop their careers. - Delivering cultural activities that attracted audiences into the town centre. - Laying foundations for longer-term cultural development across Slough. - Developing place-branding work designed to improve perceptions of the town and celebrate its strengths. These activities have helped build a stronger creative ecosystem while contributing to local economic development and town centre vitality. Overall Community Benefit Taken together, Viva Slough’s activities during 2024/25 delivered significant social, economic and environmental benefits for the borough. The organisation: - Supported residents into employment, self-employment and further training. - Improved physical and mental well-being for hundreds of people. - Reduced social isolation and strengthened community cohesion. - Created meaningful opportunities for young people. - Engaged hundreds of volunteers in community improvement activities. - Enhanced public spaces through art and environmental projects. - Supported local artists and creative organisations. - Helped develop a stronger, more positive identity for Slough. Most importantly, our work has helped people feel more connected to one another and more positive about where they live. Through practical action, community engagement and partnership working, Viva Slough has continued to demonstrate that local people can play a central role in creating a healthier, happier and more vibrant town. The cumulative impact of these activities extends far beyond the individual projects themselves. Together they have strengthened community resilience, increased pride of place, improved wellbeing and contributed to the long-term social and economic prosperity of Slough.

Consultation and engagement with stakeholders form a fundamental part of Viva Slough's operating model and are embedded in the design, delivery, and evaluation of all activities. As a community interest company, our work is driven by the needs, aspirations and feedback of the communities we serve, and we actively engage with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure our activities deliver meaningful and measurable community benefit. Who Are Our Stakeholders? During the financial year, our key stakeholders included: * Local residents across Slough. * Participants in our employability, wellbeing, arts and community programmes. * Corporate sponsors and funding partners including local businesses and employers. * Slough Borough Council and its various departments. * NHS organisations, Primary Care Networks and GP surgeries. * Educational institutions including schools, colleges and universities. * Community and voluntary sector organisations. * Local artists, cultural organisations and creative practitioners. * Volunteers who support our activities and projects. * Employers providing work experience, volunteering and employment opportunities. * Housing associations and resident groups. * Faith organisations and community leaders. How Stakeholders Were Consulted Consultation is undertaken through both formal and informal methods throughout the year. Participant Feedback and Evaluation Every major project includes participant feedback mechanisms. These include: * Entry and exit surveys. * Wellbeing and confidence assessments. * Participant interviews and case studies. * Regular review meetings. * Informal discussions during activities and workshops. This feedback helps us understand participant needs, identify barriers to engagement and continuously improve programme delivery. Community Engagement and Resident Consultation Residents are regularly consulted through: * Community events and festivals. * Public meetings and workshops. * Focus groups. * Social media engagement. * Online surveys. * Neighbourhood meetings. * One-to-one conversations conducted by staff and volunteers. Many of our projects, particularly those relating to public art, place-making and community wellbeing, are directly shaped by resident feedback and ideas. Partnership Meetings We maintain regular engagement with strategic partners including: * Slough Borough Council. * NHS partners and GP surgeries. * Funding organisations. * Housing associations. * Educational institutions. * Community organisations. Consultation takes place through partnership meetings, steering groups, project boards and regular operational discussions Employer and Business Consultation** Employers are consulted through: * Employer forums. * Talent Connect events. * One-to-one business meetings. * Work placement reviews. * Surveys and feedback sessions. This ensures that our employability programmes remain aligned with local labour market needs and employer expectations. Volunteer Engagement Volunteers are regularly consulted through feedback sessions, volunteer meetings and informal discussions to ensure volunteering opportunities remain meaningful and rewarding. Actions Taken as a Result of Stakeholder Feedback Stakeholder feedback has directly influenced the development and delivery of our activities. Examples include: Expansion of Employability Support Feedback from participants and employers highlighted the need for more practical workplace experience alongside classroom-based employability support. In response, Viva Slough expanded its work experience, volunteering and employer engagement activities, creating additional opportunities for participants to gain real-world experience and improve their employment prospects Development of Community Health Activities Consultation with residents, NHS partners and GP practices identified concerns around social isolation, mental wellbeing and physical inactivity. This led to the development and expansion of Health Hubs, exercise programmes, walking groups and wellbeing activities aimed at improving both physical and mental health outcomes. Public Art and Place-Making Projects Residents consistently expressed a desire to see cleaner, more attractive public spaces and a stronger local identity. This feedback informed the ArtScape programme, resulting in murals, environmental improvement projects, volunteer action days and public art installations designed to improve the appearance of local neighbourhoods and increase civic pride. Increased Focus on Community Cohesion Feedback from community organisations and residents highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to come together. In response, Viva Slough delivered a range of inclusive community events, cultural activities and celebrations designed to strengthen relationships between communities and promote social cohesion. Enhanced Support for Digital Inclusion Participants identified a lack of confidence with digital technology as a significant barrier to employment and everyday life. As a result, digital skills training was expanded, helping residents access services, communicate online and improve their employment opportunities. Strengthening Youth Engagement Young people expressed a desire for more opportunities to contribute to their community and develop leadership skills. This feedback informed the development of youth volunteering, wellbeing champion and community ambassador initiatives. Ongoing Commitment to Stakeholder Engagement The Directors recognise that meaningful consultation is essential to ensuring that the Viva Slough continues to operate in the best interests of the community. Stakeholder engagement is therefore an ongoing process rather than a one-off activity. Viva Slough actively seeks feedback from stakeholders throughout the year and uses this information to shape future priorities, improve services and maximise community benefit. This collaborative approach has enabled Viva Slough to remain responsive to local needs while building strong partnerships across the public, private and voluntary sectors. As a result, the activities delivered during the year reflected the priorities identified by stakeholders and contributed directly to the Company's mission of making Slough residents healthier, happier and proud of where they live.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration