Free 2 Talk Consultancy, Training and Assessment Centre CIC operated during the financial year as a specialist provider of professional education, training, and strategic capacity building services for the youth work and community development sectors. As a sister organisation to Free 2 Talk CIC and practitioners, we leveraged over 45 years of frontline practice expertise to deliver workforce development and sector leadership activities across Northamptonshire and regionally. Activities Undertaken Accredited Professional Qualifications We delivered JNC and SEG Awards-endorsed Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in Youth Work Practice through blended learning, enabling practitioners to achieve professional recognised qualifications. We also provided Level 1 preparatory qualifications for those entering the youth work sector. During the financial year, learners progressed toward Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications. Specialist Continuing Professional Development We developed and delivered targeted CPD training in youth work practice, safeguarding, trauma-informed approaches, youth participation and coproduction, safety mapping, and community development. All training was aligned to National Youth Agency occupational standards and informed by current practice evidence. Strategic Partnership Work with North Northamptonshire Council We undertook significant commissioned work to support NNC's statutory duty to provide youth services under Section 507B of the Education Act 1996. Youth Engagement Consultation, Understanding current youth provision, barriers to participation, and aspirations for future services. This work informed the development of the North Northamptonshire Youth Charter, a rights-based participation framework grounded in the Lundy Model. Resident Engagement Training, Designed and delivered six day intensive training to council and voluntary sector staff on Asset Based Community Development and community engagement methodologies, supporting systemic approaches to health inequalities reduction aligned to NNC's integrated care strategy. SEND Youth Provision Development, Led consultation with young people with SEND experience to understand accessibility, support needs, and barriers within current provision, contributing to the North Northamptonshire SEND Partnership Priority Action Plan. Youth Voice and Social Action Model, Co-designed a consistent sector-wide model for youth voice and social action projects, including frameworks for project allocation, practitioner training, and building community of practice across statutory, education, health and VCSE sectors. Organisational Infrastructure and Commercial Development We established a Learning Management System for independent learning in Level 4+ qualifications, developed comprehensive training menus aligned to workforce needs, and created a commercial offer in leadership development for the private sector. With support from WNSET Investment Fund grant funding, we formalised governance structures and created the operational foundation for planned commercial scaling. Community Benefit Achieved Strengthening the Youth Work Workforce. We equipped practitioners across Northamptonshire with enhanced skills, knowledge and professional confidence to work effectively with vulnerable young people. Supporting Systemic Change, Our strategic work with North Northamptonshire Council contributed to systemic improvements in how youth services are designed and delivered. The Youth Charter now provides a rights-based framework guiding all youth-serving agencies. Our consultation work ensured young people's voices, particularly those with SEND, directly shaped policy and service planning. Addressing Health Inequalities, The resident engagement training equipped statutory and voluntary sector staff with evidence-based approaches to community-led, asset-focused work. This supports NNC's wider strategy to reduce health inequalities across a population of 360,000 residents. Expanding Access to Professional Development, Our blended learning model removed geographical barriers to accessing quality professional training. We created development pathways enabling individuals to progress toward recognised qualifications during the financial year, creating employment and progression opportunities within the social enterprise sector. Embedding Inclusion and Participation, Our work with young people with SEND and across diverse populations supported the development of more accessible, safe and supportive youth spaces. Young people's participation in shaping services ensured their needs, aspirations and expertise directly informed provision. Conclusion Free 2 Talk Development's activities during the financial year directly contributed to strengthening the youth work workforce, improving the quality and accessibility of youth services, and supporting systemic approaches to reducing inequality in Northamptonshire. All work remained grounded in evidence based practice and the lived experience of vulnerable young people and communities.

Free 2 Talk Development undertook extensive consultation with a diverse range of stakeholders during the financial year. This engagement was central to the design, delivery, and evaluation of our activities. Who Our Stakeholders Are Our stakeholders include Young people aged 8 to 25 across Northamptonshire, particularly those experiencing disadvantage or vulnerability Youth practitioners and workers from statutory, education, health and voluntary sector organisations Commissioning partners including North Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Council, WNSET Investment Fund Youth organisations and VCSE providers CYPN, Ground Works, The Core at Corby Cube, NAYC, Young Northants, REACH, Right Resolutions Training and professional bodies National Youth Agency, Skills and Education Group, University of Northampton Multi agency partners Local Safeguarding Partnerships, SEND Partnership, Integrated Care System partners Our own team members and partner organisations Free 2 Talk CIC staff and board How Stakeholders Were Consulted Direct Consultation with Young People We undertook extensive consultation with young people through Focus groups and discussion sessions with youth organisations CYPN, Ground Works, The Core at Corby Cube, North Youth Summit attendees Survey activities to gather views on current youth provision, barriers to participation, and aspirations for future services Podcast and audio based consultation with young people with SEND experience Feedback sessions to sense check findings from earlier consultations and ensure accuracy of young people's views Consultation topics included understanding of current youth provision, barriers to accessing activities, experiences of SEND support, website design preferences, and aspirations for future services. Partnership Engagement with Organisations We consulted with youth sector partners through Partnership meetings to co design models for youth voice and social action, bringing together representatives from statutory, education, health and VCSE sectors Circulated surveys to gather feedback on workforce development priorities and training needs Regular engagement with North Northamptonshire Council on the design and delivery of resident engagement training and youth charter development Meetings with training providers and professional bodies NYA, SEG Awards, universities to ensure our qualifications and CPD offerings remained current and aligned to sector standards Practitioner Feedback We gathered feedback from practitioners through Training evaluations on Level 2 and 3 qualifications and CPD courses Informal feedback from youth workers delivering consultation activities Co production sessions with practitioners to design toolkits for youth voice and youth social action Ongoing Commitment to Stakeholder Engagement We committed to continuing stakeholder engagement through Regular feedback to young people and practitioners on how their input shaped recommendations and next steps Annual evaluation cycles to gather feedback on training quality and relevance

The total amount paid or receivable by directors in respect of qualifying services was £22,661. 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