During the reporting period, Next Step Ahead CIC continued its mission to improve access to career opportunities, skills development and community engagement, with a particular focus on the horticultural, landscape and environmental sectors. The Company delivered a series of community-based pilot workshops designed to increase awareness of career pathways, build confidence and transferable skills, and connect participants with employers, education providers and industry professionals. These workshops provided accessible opportunities for people to explore careers that are often overlooked, whilst developing practical knowledge, professional networks and greater confidence in their future aspirations. Alongside the workshops, Next Step Ahead CIC actively engaged with participants, employers, colleges, trade bodies and community organisations to identify barriers that prevent people from accessing employment, training, volunteering and career progression. This consultation informed the design and delivery of future programmes, ensuring that activities reflected genuine community need rather than assumptions. The Company also continued to strengthen partnerships across the horticultural and environmental industries, creating opportunities for collaboration that will provide lasting benefits for participants and the wider community. Planning also continued for an expanded programme of workshops and larger community initiatives that will further increase access to careers information, networking opportunities and skills development. Throughout the year, the Company's activities remained focused on delivering public benefit by improving confidence, encouraging lifelong learning, strengthening community connections and helping individuals identify pathways into volunteering, further education, apprenticeships and employment. The activities undertaken by Next Step Ahead CIC have provided clear and measurable community benefit by helping people build confidence, develop transferable skills, expand professional networks and gain greater awareness of education, volunteering and employment opportunities. The Company's programme has been shaped directly by community consultation. During the reporting period, a participant survey completed by 59 people identified significant unmet demand for accessible careers guidance and community learning opportunities. The findings demonstrated that: 95% of respondents wanted workshops that build confidence, develop skills and connect people with opportunities. 100% wanted more opportunities to meet people with shared interests. 100% believed there was a need for more free or low-cost community workshops and networking opportunities. 86% stated they were very likely to attend future events organised by the Company. Participants also identified limited professional networks, insufficient information about career pathways and a lack of accessible local opportunities as the principal barriers to achieving their goals. This evidence enabled Next Step Ahead CIC to tailor its programme to meet the needs identified by the community, including enhanced mentoring, networking opportunities and ongoing participant support. The Company delivered eight pilot workshops during the reporting period, with 99% of participants reporting that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their experience. Feedback indicated increased confidence, valuable new professional connections and a clearer understanding of future career opportunities. Beyond individual outcomes, the Company's activities have strengthened relationships between participants, employers, education providers, trade bodies and community organisations, creating a collaborative network that supports social inclusion, lifelong learning and greater community participation. These partnerships are helping to create sustainable pathways into volunteering, further education, apprenticeships and employment, ensuring that the benefits of the Company's work extend well beyond the workshops themselves. Next Step Ahead CIC remains committed to listening to the communities it serves and will continue to use participant feedback, partnership working and evidence-based evaluation to ensure its activities deliver meaningful and lasting public benefit.

No consultation with stakeholders

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration