During this year, Futures Without Borders CIC has continued to grow both in scale and influence, responding to increasing levels of need across Swansea whilst extending support into Neath and surrounding communities. The organisation has strengthened existing partnerships, developed new collaborative relationships and expanded its programme of activities to reach more individuals and families experiencing social and economic disadvantage. The reporting period has been characterised by sustained growth in participation across all areas of our work. Increasing awareness of our services, combined with strong community relationships and positive word-of-mouth referrals, has resulted in growing demand for our activities and support. This growth reflects the trust communities place in our organisation and the value of delivering services that are informed by lived experience and shaped around local need. Throughout the year, we continued to invest in opportunities that improve health, wellbeing, inclusion and community resilience. Our swimming programme remained highly sought after, with every delivery block fully subscribed. The programme enabled children who would otherwise face financial barriers to develop essential water safety and lifesaving skills while improving physical health, confidence and social development. Families consistently highlighted the positive impact that regular participation had on their children's wellbeing and self-esteem. Recognising the continued financial pressures affecting many households, particularly during school holiday periods, we provided targeted support to enable families to access healthy and nutritious food for their children. This assistance helped reduce immediate financial pressures while contributing to children's health and wellbeing at times when many families experience increased household costs. Alongside this, we continued to create opportunities for children and families to participate in enjoyable recreational experiences that promote positive mental wellbeing, strengthen family relationships and reduce social isolation. Removing financial barriers to participation, enabled families to enjoy activities that would otherwise have been beyond their means, ensuring that children could create positive memories and remain socially connected throughout the year. Our partnership with Wales' first Multibank, Cwtch Mawr, continued to make a significant contribution towards improving the wellbeing of local families. Through this collaboration we distributed household essentials, clothing, footwear and other practical items that enabled individuals and families to better manage the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis. During the year, support was expanded to include sports clothing and equipment, helping remove financial barriers that often prevent children and adults from participating in physical activity. Responding directly to community demand for more affordable opportunities to improve health and wellbeing, we established stronger partnerships with Tennis Wales and Swansea Tennis Centre. Together we created accessible opportunities for children, young people and adults to participate in tennis regardless of their financial circumstances. Participants were able to access facilities, coaching and equipment without the significant costs normally associated with the sport. By complementing this with the provision of essential sportswear through our community partnerships, we successfully removed many of the practical barriers to participation, encouraging healthier lifestyles whilst strengthening social connections and reducing isolation. This reporting period also saw an increased emphasis on supporting people to build confidence, access opportunities and strengthen community participation. Working alongside Swansea University and other local partners, we delivered information sessions, training opportunities and community-based activities that helped individuals better understand local services, build social and professional networks and identify pathways into volunteering, employment and further development opportunities. As demand for our services continued to increase, so too did the contribution of our volunteers. We expanded our volunteer programme to provide more opportunities to contribute to their communities whilst developing valuable transferable skills. Volunteers gained practical experience in leadership, event planning, community engagement, safeguarding and project delivery, strengthening both their own employability and the organisation's ability to respond to growing demand. By the end of the reporting period, Futures Without Borders CIC had directly supported more than 400 families and over 1,200 individuals through a wide range of community activities, practical support and development opportunities. This represents significant growth compared with our previous year of operation and reflects the increasing demand for accessible, community-led services. Our partnership with Wales' first Multibank, Cwtch Mawr, continued to make a significant contribution towards improving the wellbeing of local families. Through this collaboration we distributed household essentials, clothing, footwear and other practical items that enabled individuals and families to better manage the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis. During the year, support was expanded to include sports clothing and equipment, helping remove financial barriers that often prevent children and adults from participating in physical activity. Responding directly to community demand for more affordable opportunities to improve health and wellbeing, we established stronger partnerships with Tennis Wales and Swansea Tennis Centre. Together we created accessible opportunities for children, young people and adults to participate in tennis regardless of their financial circumstances. Participants were able to access facilities, coaching and equipment without the significant costs normally associated with the sport. By complementing this with the provision of essential sportswear through our community partnerships, we successfully removed many of the practical barriers to participation, encouraging healthier lifestyles whilst strengthening social connections and reducing isolation. This reporting period also saw an increased emphasis on supporting people to build confidence, access opportunities and strengthen community participation. Working alongside Swansea University and other local partners, we delivered information sessions, training opportunities and community-based activities that helped individuals better understand local services, build social and professional networks and identify pathways into volunteering, employment and further development opportunities. As demand for our services continued to increase, so too did the contribution of our volunteers. We expanded our volunteer programme to provide more opportunities to contribute to their communities whilst developing valuable transferable skills. Volunteers gained practical experience in leadership, event planning, community engagement, safeguarding and project delivery, strengthening both their own employability and the organisation's ability to respond to growing demand. By the end of the reporting period, Futures Without Borders CIC had directly supported more than 400 families and over 1,200 individuals through a wide range of community activities, practical support and development opportunities. This represents significant growth compared with our previous year of operation and reflects the increasing demand for accessible, community-led services.

Engagement with our stakeholders remains fundamental to the way Futures Without Borders plans, delivers and evaluates its work. Throughout the reporting period, we continued to gather feedback from children, young people, parents, caregivers, volunteers, partner organisations and members of the wider community through community needs assessments, project evaluations, focus groups, informal conversations and ongoing dialogue during programme delivery. This continued engagement has enabled us to better understand the evolving needs and aspirations of the communities we serve while ensuring that our activities remain relevant, responsive and community-led. Feedback highlighted that many individuals valued the welcoming and inclusive environment that Swansea provides and appreciated opportunities to build friendships, confidence and stronger community connections. At the same time, many participants identified challenges relating to employment, career progression and accessing opportunities that matched their qualifications, experience and ambitions. These findings informed the development of collaborative initiatives with Swansea University and other partners, designed to improve awareness of available services, strengthen community networks and support individuals to access education, volunteering and employment opportunities. Consultation also confirmed that financial pressures continue to affect many households, with school holiday periods placing particular strain on family budgets. Stakeholders consistently highlighted the importance of practical assistance that helps families meet essential needs whilst maintaining dignity and independence. In response, we continued providing support that enabled families to access nutritious food during school holidays, alongside household essentials, clothing, footwear and other practical items that contributed to improved wellbeing and reduced financial hardship. Participants also identified the cost of sports participation as a significant barrier to improving physical health and wellbeing. Families reported that equipment, clothing and participation costs often prevented children and adults from engaging in regular physical activity. Acting upon this feedback, we strengthened partnerships with Tennis Wales, Swansea Tennis Centre and Cwtch Mawr to provide accessible opportunities that removed many of these barriers through free access to equipment alongside the provision of appropriate sports clothing and footwear. The positive feedback received across all our programmes demonstrates the growing confidence that local communities place in Futures Without Borders CIC. Stakeholders consistently expressed a desire for the organisation to expand its activities further, reflecting both the effectiveness of our existing programmes and the increasing level of unmet need across the communities we serve. This feedback continues to inform our strategic planning as we seek to build additional organisational capacity, strengthen partnerships and develop sustainable services capable of supporting growing demand whilst maintaining the high quality and community-centred approach that defines our work.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration