During the financial year ended 31 March 2026, Rafiki Community CIC continued to support individuals and families from Global Majority, migrant, refugee, asylum-seeking and other underrepresented communities across Colchester and the surrounding areas. Guided by its principles of Healing, Heritage and Hope, the company delivered community-focused activities aimed at addressing food insecurity, reducing social isolation, improving health and wellbeing, and helping individuals maintain their cultural identity while building meaningful connections within their local community. The company's activities benefited the community in the following ways: 1. Food Assistance and Practical Support for Vulnerable Households Rafiki Community provided food-related assistance and practical household support to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship and other difficulties. The company's activities included the provision of food donations, food parcels, vouchers and household assistance to help beneficiaries meet essential everyday needs. This support was particularly important for vulnerable individuals and families who faced financial pressures or had limited access to reliable community support networks. By providing assistance with basic necessities, the company helped ease immediate household pressures and enabled beneficiaries to direct their limited resources towards other essential living costs. The provision of food assistance also created opportunities for the company to engage with individuals experiencing hardship, understand their circumstances and maintain connections with those requiring additional community support. 2. Rafiki Kitchen – Food, Cultural Heritage and Community Connections Through Rafiki Kitchen, the company brought people together through cooking, culturally familiar meals and shared food experiences. The initiative provided opportunities for individuals from different backgrounds to prepare food, exchange traditional recipes, share cooking knowledge and engage with one another in a welcoming environment. The company's activities included community cooking initiatives and participation in the Slow Cooker Club, which supported engagement with practical food preparation and cooking activities. These activities benefited participants by encouraging the development of practical cooking skills, promoting the sharing of cultural knowledge and creating opportunities for social interaction. For migrants and refugees living away from their countries of origin, preparing and sharing familiar meals also helped preserve important cultural traditions and provided a connection to their heritage. Rafiki Kitchen served as a community meeting point where food helped overcome language and cultural barriers, encouraged friendships and provided opportunities for people who might otherwise experience loneliness to participate in shared activities. 3. Health Awareness and Wellbeing Support Rafiki Community supported health-awareness and wellbeing activities designed to make information, encouragement and community support more accessible to individuals from underserved backgrounds. During the financial year, the company's activities included support for cancer-awareness initiatives, with food and catering provided in connection with these activities. This complemented Rafiki's wider focus on creating culturally sensitive environments where individuals could discuss health concerns and access peer support. The company also supported physical activity and wellbeing initiatives, recognising the importance of social engagement, movement and emotional support in maintaining personal wellbeing. These activities provided opportunities for individuals to engage with health-related information in familiar community settings, participate in supportive discussions and connect with others who may have experienced similar challenges. For individuals affected by illness, isolation or cultural barriers to accessing services, the activities offered opportunities for social contact, mutual encouragement and greater awareness of health and wellbeing concerns. 4. Safe Spaces, Peer Support and Social Inclusion Rafiki Community's Safe Spaces approach provided a foundation for bringing together individuals from Global Majority and migrant backgrounds in environments where they could feel welcomed, respected and understood. Through community gatherings and peer interaction, participants had opportunities to share personal experiences, discuss common challenges and establish supportive relationships without fear of judgment or discrimination. The activities were particularly relevant to individuals experiencing isolation, displacement, cultural exclusion or difficulties establishing social connections. By encouraging regular interaction and mutual support, the company provided opportunities for participants to develop friendships, share information and build informal networks of people they could turn to for encouragement and assistance. These community connections were valuable in helping individuals feel less isolated and more involved in local community life. 5. Community Participation, Volunteering and Collaborative Activities The company worked with volunteers, community organisations and local partners to support the delivery of its programmes and extend its reach within Colchester. Volunteers contributed their time and skills to food-related activities, community gatherings and other initiatives. Their involvement supported the organisation of activities and helped create a welcoming environment for participants. The company also invested in venues, equipment and other resources required to support its community programmes. These activities benefited the community by providing accessible opportunities for people to participate, contribute their skills and engage in shared community initiatives. They also strengthened relationships between volunteers, beneficiaries and local organisations, encouraging cooperation and mutual support.

Rafiki Community CIC's key stakeholders include: Service users: Individuals and families from Global Majority, migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking communities. Volunteers, staff and directors: Individuals involved in managing and delivering the company's activities. Local authorities: Colchester City Council and Essex County Council. Healthcare professionals: Including social prescribing teams and other health and wellbeing practitioners. Community and voluntary organisations: Including African Families in the UK (AFIUK), City of Sanctuary, Together Free, CAMS, RAMA, BeDandilion and other local partners. Funders and grant-making organisations: Including Essex Community Foundation (ECF), Active Essex, Synergi, EALC, Screwfix Foundation, ACT and Colchester City Council. The wider local community. During the financial year ended 31 March 2026, Rafiki Community engaged with stakeholders to understand their needs, gather feedback and ensure its activities remained relevant and accessible. Consultation took place through participant feedback forms, surveys, community conversations, focus groups, volunteer meetings, partnership discussions and community events. The company also gathered informal feedback during programme delivery and maintained regular communication with funders, healthcare professionals and partner organisations. Feedback highlighted the continued need for culturally appropriate wellbeing support, welcoming spaces for social interaction, practical assistance for vulnerable households, and opportunities for individuals to celebrate their cultural heritage and build community connections. In response to this feedback, Rafiki Community continued to develop its Safe Spaces programme, supported food and household assistance initiatives, and strengthened Rafiki Kitchen through community cooking and shared cultural activities. The company also supported health-awareness and wellbeing initiatives, encouraged volunteer participation and worked with community partners to improve access to support for underserved groups. These consultations helped the company identify community priorities, adapt its activities to beneficiaries' needs and strengthen relationships with local organisations. Rafiki Community remains committed to involving stakeholders in the development of its services and ensuring its activities deliver meaningful community benefit.

During the financial year ended 31 March 2026, Mrs Joyce McIntyre received remuneration amounting to £24,999.96 for her services to Rafiki Community CIC. 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