During the period 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026, Social Circles CIC completed a strategic review of its activities following the closure of its Gardening Project in February 2025. Working closely with local communities, parish councils, voluntary organisations and other partners across Somerset, the directors identified significant challenges facing rural communities, including poor transport, dispersed and ageing populations, reduced access to services, and increasing social isolation and loneliness. In response, the company adopted a Rural Development Framework focused on place-based development, community-led action, improving wellbeing and connection, partnership working, and building long-term community resilience. The first priority identified was increasing Pride in Place. During the year, Social Circles CIC developed the 23-mile King Alfred Pilgrimage route between North Petherton and Somerton, now being promoted by Visit Somerset and The Pilgrimage Trust, together with a series of shorter circular pilgrimage routes and a family walking trail around Aller, designed to engage children and families with the area's heritage. These projects have strengthened relationships with communities along the route and expanded collaboration with heritage, church, tourism and community organisations. The company also organised the first Somerset Day celebration in Aller, bringing together people of all ages to celebrate Somerset's history and culture through community activities, entertainment and shared participation. Recognising that rural isolation and loneliness had been identified by the Somerset Levels & Moors Local Community Network as a major health and wellbeing challenge, Social Circles CIC worked in partnership with Linking Lives UK, local parish churches and others to develop the ReConnect programme. This volunteer-led initiative will support isolated residents to reconnect with their communities through a safer, structured and monitored befriending and community engagement programme. Development of the programme was completed during the reporting period, with delivery planned to commence in the following financial year.

Following the strategic review of the company's activities, Social Circles CIC undertook extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders to identify the most pressing needs within rural Somerset and to shape its future direction. Stakeholders consulted included residents and community groups across the Somerset Levels & Moors, parish councils, parish churches, the Somerset Levels & Moors Local Community Network, heritage organisations, local authorities, Linking Lives UK, voluntary and community organisations, and potential funding partners. Consultation took place through partnership meetings, community events, discussions with parish representatives, one-to-one meetings, site visits, and ongoing collaboration in developing new projects. Feedback consistently identified rural isolation and loneliness, poor public transport, an ageing population, declining community participation, and the need to strengthen local identity and pride in place as key challenges affecting rural communities. During the reporting period we develop projects to respond to this identified need

Total director remuneration for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 was £1,710.00

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration