Community & Social Justice

Reading is the second highest area in the South East for rough sleepers; Cost of living crisis drove 30% increase in people seeking support including many facing homelessness for the first time

18 small groups securing grants through Better Together; 730 new people joining groups; Cottingley Free Shop rehomed 50+ large furniture items and 1,500+ clothing items in its first year — started entirely from community initiative

Parrs Wood: 84% of students achieved grade 4+ in English and 72% in Maths — both above national averages; Whalley Range disadvantaged students (60% of cohort) achieved Attainment 8 of 50.05

47 young people supported in education and employment; 45 learnt new skills in food preparation and cooking; 118 developed greater awareness of people from different faiths, backgrounds and ethnicities

44 DofE Awards completed across the licence area with 233 participants registered; all 18 young people with additional needs achieved DofE Expedition Section at a national ANOE event in the Forest of Dean

83% of referrals came through community partners — reflecting depth of trust built with statutory and voluntary sector

100% of talk²sort mediation clients said they were staying in education or training, making more positive life choices, and had improved communication skills; 98% of rough sleeper reports responded to within 72 hours

60% of schools in Stoke-on-Trent hosted or delivered HAF activities; 75% of provision rated Good or Excellent through quality assurance; school attendance improvements of 11%–32% evidenced for individual pupils who engaged with HAF provision