Oral History Medway CIC was established to collect, preserve and share the personal histories and lived experiences of people across the Medway Towns, with particular emphasis on communities and individuals whose stories have traditionally been under-represented in the historical record. During its first year, the company undertook a range of oral history, heritage research, interpretation and community engagement activities, working with individuals, local organisations and heritage partners. These included the production and development of oral history material associated with Short Brothers and Medway's aviation heritage, including the Pioneers of Flight: Made in Medway exhibition at Rochester Cathedral and the Made in Medway podcast. The company also contributed to projects recording the memories and experiences of Gillingham Football Club supporters, recognising the important social and cultural role that the club has played within the Medway community over successive generations. A further important area of activity was research and development for the proposed Gillingham FC Community Learning and Heritage Centre. This work was supported by funding received from Medway Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). As part of this project, the company undertook a research visit to the National Football Museum in Manchester to inform the development of proposals for a heritage centre combining football history, community engagement, education and the preservation of local sporting memories. During its first year, Oral History Medway also incurred the necessary establishment and operational costs associated with developing a sustainable community interest company, including incorporation, insurance, professional memberships, technical equipment and subscriptions. These investments have helped establish the organisational capacity to deliver high-quality oral history projects, work with partner organisations and develop opportunities for future community participation. The company's activities are intended to strengthen local identity, encourage intergenerational understanding, contribute to community cohesion and help ensure that the diverse personal experiences of Medway residents are preserved and made accessible to future generations.

Oral History Medway CIC recognises the importance of engaging with the individuals and communities whose histories it seeks to record and preserve. Engagement during the reporting period included discussions with participants, interviewees, local heritage organisations, community groups and project partners including Medway Council. The company seeks to ensure that the experiences and interests of participants help inform the direction of its projects. This includes recognising the importance of informed consent, ethical interviewing and sensitivity towards the personal experiences being recorded. Engagement with heritage and community partners has also helped the company identify opportunities for new projects and consider how its work can reach a wider and more diverse audience.

During the reporting period, both directors received remuneration for professional work undertaken in delivering individual projects on behalf of Oral History Medway CIC. Payments were calculated on a full cost-recovery basis, reflecting the time, expertise and professional services required to deliver the relevant projects. The remuneration was associated with identifiable project activities and was not a distribution of company profits. The company also reimbursed directors for legitimate expenditure incurred on its behalf, including company establishment costs, insurance, relevant professional subscriptions and project-related research and travel expenses. These included costs associated with the research visit to the National Football Museum in Manchester, undertaken in connection with the proposed Gillingham FC Community Learning and Heritage Centre and funded through UKSPF support received from Medway Council. All such expenditure was incurred in support of the company's operations and community objectives.

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration