In the space provided below, please insert a general account of the company's activities in the financial year to which the report relates, including a description of how they have benefited the community. (If applicable, please just state "A social audit report covering these points is attached").
The RENA Initiative CIC is a community-led, grassroots arts organisation that establishes free visual arts and creative health programmes in marginalised and global ethnic majority (GEM) communities to tackle social isolation, improve mental health and wellbeing, build resilience, address inequality, generate equity and inclusion and increase community cohesion. Through visual art, The RENA Initiative is celebrating cultural diversity and giving a voice to undervalued and underrepresented communities. The intention is to create a world where all people are valued, empowered and connected.
The company established 'The RENA Initiative presents: The WoWC (Women of White City)' project in 2019. Through this project they delivered free painting for wellbeing workshops in White City Estate (London W12), for local women who are older, socially isolated or unemployed. The art created was featured in an exhibition attended by the local community and stakeholders.In 2020, the company pivoted to deliver art workshops online as well as providing additional support services for the community through the Covid-19 pandemic. Post-pandemic the project moved to a hybrid model to maintain accessibility.
The RENA Initiative's projects have evolved to continue meeting the needs of the communities it serves. During the financial year 2025-2026, the company continued delivering The RENA Initiative presents: HeArty (health+arty), a flagship creative health programme offering health-focused visual art workshops, mentoring, and outings for older women, Black women, and those from global majority backgrounds. Co-designed with residents, HeArty addresses health inequalities and loneliness, supports wellbeing, and builds stronger community connections. With both online and in-person sessions, all activities were free to attend.
Through our activities, 35 regular participants aged 20-90 experienced:
Leading to:
The company's stakeholders are local residents, artists who deliver the workshop activity, funding bodies, donors, local government, NHS Trusts, private businesses, primary care networks, arts and cultural institutions, and community partners.
The company's directors and volunteers have over 150 years combined lived experience in this community and developed the business model for services after consulting with residents, the local authority, local faith leaders and community-focused organisations. This research enabled The RENA Initiative to identify the need for the provision of a fun, creative, intergenerational activity that supports mental wellbeing and can also be enjoyed by people for whom English is a second language.
The RENA Initiative CIC is connected to 30+ local business and organisations in our community. The company is an active member of many groups and networks including:
·POPS (Providers of Older People Services) Forum
·Imperial College Agents of Change
Stakeholders, volunteers (lifelong residents) and beneficiaries are regularly consulted and feed into decision-making via workshop discussions, 1-2-1 conversations and anonymous evaluation forms. This process enables the company to assess effectiveness and make necessary adjustments to continue to meet the needs of the community. The RENA Initiative empowers beneficiaries to co-design workshop content, themes and schedules.
Anonymous Feedback from 2025_2026 Evaluation Forms
·"There are many times throughout my illness that I feel incompetent or unable to function. I question whether I'm capable of the simplest of tasks. Especially in my worst moments of pain. Living in and out of hospital appointments alone. This has impacted me a great deal. When I attend the workshops I feel like I'm capable again. I'm reminded of the importance of art in all its expressions. There is no measure to how important this is to me."
· "Helps make me feel less isolated, gives me a chance to connect with others."
· "The workshops and activities are a resource for encouragement and engagement in my life that I look forward to because of the community energy; everyone shares and shows interest in each other and their works. I feel both welcomed and safe to make my unique contributions. All this and it's free."
· "Supportive leader/team/group members. Relaxing escape from usual, demanding responsibilities. Invaluable and vital local provision. Informative and easy to understand ideas about maintaining health & well-being."
· "The artwork has helped me to discover my creative side which has also enabled me to get involved with other creative projects. It has also helped to raise my self-esteem. Being part of such a loving community has given me a strong sense of belonging. I have also gained a wealth of knowledge in attending this project."
· "There are very few spaces like this one in which, as women, we can be totally free to express ourselves and be at peace with one another. We share many things not only about art but also about our lives and that is very special."
· "This is the only project of its kind that I'm aware of locally. I look forward to our classes of creativity. Also on a plus side if we're unable in person to attend a class through illness or any other personal issues, we can log on to zoom for the class, which is great."
"Volunteering allows me to be in service of my fellow attendees and typically brings the opportunity to be encouraging, praising or informative. Through mentoring, I'm always learning... It gives me a confidence for when I will next present a session."The total amount of remuneration paid to directors in respect of qualifying services (approved by grant providers and donors) was £18,449.
There was no interest paid at a performance-related rate.