The company has provided an inclusive space to a diverse and eclectic mixture of individuals in the Burton and surrounding East Staffordshire areas, leading to the space being nominated for a Make a difference award by the BBC in 2026 for its work in 2024-2025. The company was incorporated into a CIC after a need was identified through several years of informal support and projects being facilitated by myself but realising i would not be able to continue to give the level of support the community deserved over the next few years with the growing needs of the complexed range of communities I was supporting and the limited financial funds I had. By incorporating into an officially recognised CIC it is my hope that we could help grow and evolve the systems and opportunities in place to support people in a person centred approach rather than a quantitative targeted approach that would in my opinion create barriers to inclusion and ultimately let those who didn’t ‘meet criteria’ to slip through the net. We had become aware that some of the most vulnerable individuals in crisis were unable to advocate for themselves because they were so in need of support they couldn’t articulate and ask for it, so an open door and flexible approach is at the core of our values with numerous projects being ran based on identified needs and gaps. Projects have included home educator support programmes for parents and children, soft play and social meets for carers of young children, free book festivals to increase access to and encourage literacy development and socio economic well being and evolution. We run an inclusive disco where adults with additional support needs can enter a relaxed social setting with their families or carers and be able to independently explore and express themselves safely. We run gaming nights primarily targeted at neurodivergent adults to help positive well being, tackle isolation and help social development and interaction skills. We also offer our space free to non profit groups, support workers, community meets and various other uses including charity nights and fundraisers. We have worked alongside charities such as MIND to provide targeted sessions for various groups and we have developed the space to be a safe, inclusive and accessible space for all, no matter their financial status, education or health background may impact them from attending or participating in other ways. In our first year as a CIC we engaged with over 5,000 people through events and activities and offered additional and tailored specialised support for nearly 1,000 individuals/ families. The impact we have made since incorporating is unique to each group and project and not something we could provide in an analytical or quantitative format. For some of our community it has been as simple as combatting isolation, for others it has been about developing skills and confidence to be able to progress and grow in life. For a few it was finding their voice for the first time in a safe and inclusive space that didn’t make demands of them but simply listened, whether through anxiety or selective mutism they found a way to communicate and connect again, and for some who were unfortunate enough to be in complete crisis it gave them an open door and an a safe space to be able to breathe and find support and options instead of irreversible choices that would not only impact themselves but their loved ones too. We cannot speculate the impact our community will benefit from Inclusive Spaces in 5,10 years time as we take an individual and centred approach to each person who may have completely different needs and dreams to the next person. From emotional and mental well being support to practical support with forms and letters, we do not have a set menu of what we will or won’t do, instead we are constantly evolving with the needs of our community and what helps them to thrive and achieve a better quality of life which we continue to do based on their needs, dreams and aspirations.

We class everyone in our community as stakeholders, we have over 6,000 followers on Facebook alone and we consult with our community regularly through social media, emails, newsletters, discord, and through face to face reflection and evaluation. Stakeholders can suggest new ideas or ask for help and support at any time during the year and we will always try to accommodate as best as we can. Most of our stakeholders are in Burton and the surrounding areas and we engage with them continually to ensure that the space and community is being listened to and serving the ongoing and developing needs. One key example is our inclusive disco mentioned above, there was a lot of amazing structured support for these groups and centres and activities for them to be able to engage with and socialise with others, but there was a need identified for them to be able to socialise and be able to go out with their own families and friends outside of the structured environment where they could be independent but also safe, they could order their own food and drinks, request their favourite songs, dance to their favourite music without some of the risks and variables that they may encounter in a mainstream nightclub or pub. We ensure the music is a suitable volume, the lights are appropriate for any sensory issues, that they are listened to and engaged with and that the families are included in the fun just as much. Without the consultation and input of our communities this would never have been set up and has become an important part of many families lives each month, with more and more new people attending each time.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration