Calm Ahead CIC exists to improve the mental health, wellbeing, resilience and life opportunities of individuals, families and communities across Oldham and Greater Manchester. The organisation delivers a range of preventative, early intervention and community-based programmes designed to support emotional wellbeing, build resilience, reduce social isolation and create opportunities for individuals and families to achieve positive outcomes. Through partnership working and community engagement, Calm Ahead CIC seeks to ensure that support is accessible, inclusive and responsive to local need. The organisation's activities focus on supporting people at all stages of life, including children and young people, parents and carers, individuals experiencing poor mental health and wellbeing, neurodivergent families, women accessing menopause support, and adults seeking opportunities to improve confidence, wellbeing, education and employment prospects. A key principle underpinning all activity is the belief that people are best supported within their own communities through trusted relationships, accessible services and opportunities to learn from and support one another. Calm Ahead CIC therefore works closely with local residents, schools, community organisations, NHS partners, local authorities and voluntary sector organisations to develop and deliver services that reflect the experiences and priorities of the communities it serves. Throughout the year, the organisation has continued to provide programmes that improve mental health and wellbeing, increase confidence and resilience, strengthen social connections and empower individuals to make positive changes in their lives. Delivery has included Connect Five and Youth Connect Five programmes, Live Life to the Full and employment support provision, specialist support for neurodivergent families, educational wellbeing support for looked after children, Holiday Activities and Food provision, menopause support services and a growing range of peer-led and volunteer-supported activities. The organisation is committed to ensuring that all activities generate meaningful social value and contribute towards stronger, healthier and more resilient communities. Through continuous consultation, partnership working and evaluation, Calm Ahead CIC seeks to ensure that its services remain effective, accessible and responsive to changing community needs. The Directors and Board remain committed to the organisation's core values of inclusion, empowerment, collaboration, compassion and community-led support. These principles guide decision-making at all levels and ensure that the organisation continues to place the wellbeing and aspirations of local people at the centre of its work. Through the delivery of high-quality wellbeing and community support programmes, Calm Ahead CIC aims to create lasting positive social impact by enabling individuals, families and communities to improve their wellbeing, realise their potential and thrive. Throughout the year, Calm Ahead CIC has continued to deliver the Connect Five Programme across Oldham and the wider Greater Manchester area. The programme is funded through partnership arrangements involving Action Together, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and NHS partners and continues to play an important role in supporting the development of mentally healthy communities. Connect Five provides individuals and professionals with the confidence, knowledge and practical skills to have supportive conversations about mental health and wellbeing. Through the programme, participants gain a greater understanding of mental wellbeing, learn practical tools to support themselves and others and become more confident in identifying opportunities to promote positive mental health within their communities. During the year the organisation has remained an active member of the Greater Manchester Connect Five Community of Practice, regularly engaging with partner organisations to share learning, contribute to programme development and ensure local delivery reflects emerging evidence and best practice. Through this involvement, Calm Ahead CIC has continued to strengthen the quality and consistency of delivery while ensuring participants benefit from the wider expertise and experience available across the Greater Manchester network. During the financial year, Calm Ahead CIC was approached by Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (OMBC) and commissioned to deliver two specialist Youth Connect Five programmes specifically for parents and carers of neurodivergent children who were either awaiting assessment, on the diagnostic pathway or had recently received a diagnosis. These programmes were delivered as an enhanced model above and beyond the standard Youth Connect Five offer. The extended approach provided families with additional time, support and practical strategies to help them better understand and manage the challenges associated with neurodiversity, education, emotional wellbeing and family life. The organisation was selected due to its established expertise in supporting neurodivergent children and families, its strong reputation within local communities and the trusted relationships it has developed over a number of years. Participants reported increased understanding, improved confidence and reduced feelings of isolation through being able to connect with others who shared similar experiences. The programme also provided an important opportunity for parents and carers to access peer support, develop practical coping strategies and improve their own emotional wellbeing whilst supporting their children through diagnostic and support processes. Live Life to the Full and Employment Support Programme During the financial year, Calm Ahead CIC secured funding in partnership with the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) and Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council to deliver a programme supporting residents across Oldham who were experiencing barriers to accessing education, training, volunteering and employment opportunities. The programme combined the evidence-based Live Life to the Full (LLTTF) course with enhanced one-to-one coaching and personalised support. This blended approach enabled participants to improve wellbeing, build confidence, address personal barriers and develop practical skills to support progression into education, training or employment. Over 60 participants engaged with the programme during the year. Many participants reported significant improvements in self-confidence, motivation, wellbeing and goal setting, whilst others progressed into volunteering, education or employment-related opportunities. The programme also enabled the organisation to establish and strengthen valuable partnerships with local Social Prescribing Teams, libraries and a range of community partners across the borough. These relationships increased accessibility, improved referral pathways and enhanced participant outcomes. Due to the positive impact and success of the programme, funding was extended for a further twelve months, enabling delivery to continue into the next financial year and ensuring ongoing support for residents who continue to face barriers to employment and learning. Educational and Wellbeing Support Throughout the year, Calm Ahead CIC has continued working alongside St Hugh's C of E Primary School, providing specialist one-to-one wellbeing support for looked after children. Weekly sessions have been delivered within the school environment, creating a consistent, trusted and supportive space where children can explore feelings, build resilience, improve emotional literacy and develop positive coping strategies. The sessions are tailored to the individual needs of each child and focus on supporting both emotional wellbeing and educational engagement. Alongside direct delivery, the organisation has continued to contribute to the Personal Education Plan (PEP) process through the production of termly wellbeing reports. These reports are provided to St Hugh's Primary School and the relevant Virtual Schools that fund the provision, helping to inform educational planning, monitor progress and identify ongoing support needs. This work continues to play an important role in ensuring some of the borough's most vulnerable children receive consistent emotional wellbeing support within an educational setting. Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) Calm Ahead CIC has continued to deliver Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) provision in partnership with Oldham Council during school holiday periods. Sessions were delivered at St Hugh's C of E Primary School, Failsworth Library and Oldham Library, providing children and families with access to healthy meals, enrichment activities and opportunities to develop social connections during school holidays. Delivery was underpinned by the Relax Kids Programme, ensuring activities promoted positive mental health, emotional wellbeing, confidence, resilience and self-esteem alongside creative, physical and educational experiences. As a trusted HAF delivery partner for a number of years, the organisation has built a strong reputation for delivering safe, inclusive and engaging provision that supports both children and families. Feedback continues to demonstrate the value of these activities in reducing isolation, supporting wellbeing and providing positive experiences during holiday periods. The organisation looks forward to continuing this work in the next reporting year and further strengthening its contribution to the borough-wide HAF programme. Menopause Support Programme Towards the end of the previous financial year, Calm Ahead CIC was awarded funding from the National Lottery to develop and deliver a dedicated Menopause Support Programme over a two-year period. This year has seen the successful launch and expansion of the project through the delivery of Menopause Cafe sessions, educational workshops and one-to-one support opportunities across community settings including Greenacres Community Centre and Oldham Library. The programme provides women with a safe, supportive and accessible environment in which they can gain evidence-based information, share experiences, improve confidence and access practical support relating to menopause and women's wellbeing. Feedback from participants has highlighted the value of locally accessible support and the positive impact that peer discussion and education can have on emotional wellbeing, confidence and understanding. Towards the end of the financial year, the organisation developed strong working relationships with local Community Sports Centres. As a result, menopause support sessions will be delivered across community sports venues during the next financial year as part of their Women's Wellbeing offer, further increasing accessibility and community engagement. Volunteer Development and Peer Support One of the most encouraging developments during the year has been the continued growth of volunteering and peer support within the organisation. A number of individuals who initially joined programmes as participants have since become active volunteers, supporting delivery across Live Life to the Full, Connect 5 and Youth Connect 5 programmes. These volunteers bring valuable lived experience, empathy and understanding, helping to create welcoming and supportive environments for participants. Their involvement has strengthened community connections and enabled new participants to see positive examples of personal growth and progression. The development of this volunteer network reflects one of the core principles that underpins the work of Calm Ahead CIC: empowering people to use their own experiences, strengths and knowledge to support others. This peer support model continues to enhance programme delivery while building stronger and more resilient communities.

Stakeholder engagement remains central to the work of Calm Ahead CIC and plays a significant role in ensuring that services remain responsive, accessible and aligned with community need. Throughout the year, consultation has taken place through participant evaluations, feedback forms, focus groups, partnership meetings, steering groups, community engagement activities and ongoing discussions with funders, commissioners and delivery partners. Stakeholders consulted during the year have included, participants, volunteers, families, schools, community organisations, local authority representatives, NHS partners, funders and voluntary sector partners. Feedback gathered through these processes has directly informed programme development, service improvements and future planning. The organisation routinely reviews feedback to identify emerging needs, enhance participant experiences and ensure programmes continue to deliver meaningful outcomes. This ongoing commitment to consultation enables Calm Ahead CIC to maintain strong relationships with its stakeholders whilst ensuring that services remain community-led and reflective of local priorities.

The total value of directors remuneration is £57,170.

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration