Cohesive Society CIC
Annual Community Impact Report – 2025
Serving Diverse Communities Across Northampton
The year 2025 stands as a defining chapter in the evolution of Cohesive Society CIC as a trusted, community-anchored and professionally governed organisation serving Northampton’s diverse population. Operating in an environment marked by persistent cost-of-living pressures, widening health inequalities, digital exclusion, and housing insecurity, the organisation has delivered a comprehensive programme of advice, well-being, employment, and community engagement services rooted firmly in dignity, access, and prevention.
Over the course of the year, more than 550 clients, visitors, and service users accessed one or more services delivered by Cohesive Society CIC. This represents the highest annual reach in the organisation’s history, confirming 2025 as its most successful and impactful year to date. The scale and breadth of engagement reflect both increasing community need and sustained confidence from residents, partners, and statutory stakeholders.
A Holistic, Community-Led Delivery Model
Cohesive Society CIC operates on the understanding that social challenges do not exist in isolation. Financial hardship, unemployment, poor health, housing instability, and social isolation are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. In response, the organisation adopted a holistic, person-centred and preventative model, ensuring that individuals were supported across multiple need areas through a single, trusted access point.
Community Advice, Advocacy, and Access Support
Throughout 2025, Cohesive Society CIC delivered extensive community advice and advocacy services, assisting individuals to navigate welfare systems, housing processes, immigration pathways, and access to public services. Many service users faced language barriers, digital exclusion, and a lack of confidence when engaging with official systems. Advisors provided culturally competent, patient, and practical support, enabling individuals to understand their rights and make informed decisions.
Cost of Living Support and Warm Space Provision
In response to ongoing economic pressures, the organisation delivered cost-of-living assistance and Warm Space provision, particularly during colder months. These initiatives provided warmth, refreshments, reassurance, and social interaction for vulnerable residents, including older people, low-income households, and those experiencing isolation. Beyond immediate relief, these spaces functioned as gateways into wider advice, wellbeing, and support services.
Benefits Advice, Claims, Hearings, and Appeals
A core strand of delivery in 2025 was benefits advice and welfare rights support. Cohesive Society CIC assisted clients with applications for Universal Credit, PIP, ESA, Housing Benefit, and related entitlements. Where claims were challenged, the organisation supported individuals through mandatory reconsiderations and formal appeals, including attendance at hearings where required. This intervention was instrumental in stabilising household income and reducing financial distress.
Health, Wellbeing, and GP / Social Prescribing Partnerships
Recognising the social determinants of health, Cohesive Society CIC worked closely with GP practices and Social Prescribers to support individuals experiencing loneliness, anxiety, low mood, and social disengagement. Through non-clinical interventions, community referrals, and structured wellbeing conversations, the organisation contributed to preventative health outcomes and reduced pressure on primary care services.
Walk to Be Healthy Programme
The Walk to Be Healthy programme continued to promote physical activity, mental wellbeing, and social connection. Regular community walks encouraged participation from women, older residents, and individuals previously disengaged from exercise. The programme delivered both physical health benefits and vital opportunities for peer support and community bonding.
Immigration Support, Housing Advice, and Housing Consultations
During 2025, Cohesive Society CIC provided practical assistance with immigration-related documentation, signposting to accredited advisors where appropriate, alongside housing advice and housing consultations. Support included council housing applications, homelessness prevention processes, and guidance for families experiencing overcrowding or insecure accommodation. This work strengthened housing stability and reduced crisis escalation.
Digital Inclusion, Computer Learning, and Job Skills Training
Digital exclusion remained a significant barrier for many service users. The organisation therefore delivered computer learning and digital support, enabling individuals to complete online forms, access benefit portals, use email, and engage with digital public services. Complementary job skills training strengthened employability and independence.
CV Writing, Job Applications, and Job Search Support
Employment support emerged as a critical area of need in 2025. Cohesive Society CIC delivered targeted CV writing and enhancement, assistance with online job applications, and structured job search support. Many clients faced multiple barriers, including long-term unemployment, limited English proficiency, lack of UK work experience, and unfamiliarity with digital recruitment platforms.
Support was delivered on a one-to-one basis, enabling individuals to articulate transferable skills, interpret job specifications, and submit competitive applications. Where appropriate, clients were signposted to training, volunteering, and further employability pathways.
Outcome: Improved employability, increased confidence, and enhanced readiness for sustainable employment.
Community Engagement, Stakeholder Working, and Social Connection
Cohesive Society CIC continued to invest in community engagement and partnership working, facilitating coffee afternoons, informal drop-ins, stakeholder group meetings, and collaborative forums. These activities strengthened social cohesion, reduced isolation, and reinforced multi-agency collaboration across Northampton’s voluntary, health, and statutory sectors.
Quantitative Impact and Service Reach (2025)
The following table summarises service reach during 2025. This data underpins the Service Reach Graph included in the report and aligns with the accompanying Excel impact dataset.
| Service Area | Individuals Supported |
|---|---|
| Community Advice | 120 |
| Health & Wellbeing Support | 80 |
| Warm Space & Cost of Living Support | 95 |
| Benefits Advice, Claims & Appeals | 110 |
| Walk to Be Healthy | 45 |
| Immigration & Housing Advice | 60 |
| Computer Learning & Job Skills Training | 40 |
| GP & Social Prescriber Referrals | 30 |
| Community Engagement Activities | 70 |
| CV Writing, Job Applications & Job Search Support | 50 |
Total individuals supported (unique and repeat): 550+
Service Reach Graph
A bar chart titled “Cohesive Society CIC – Service Reach 2025” visually illustrates the distribution of service use across all programme areas, clearly demonstrating the breadth and balance of organisational delivery. This graph provides transparent, funder-ready evidence of impact and is suitable for inclusion in annual reports, funding applications, and stakeholder presentations.
Note: The chart above shows the primary (core) support category clients initially accessed. In practice, many individuals received multiple forms of support beyond their core needs. These secondary and supplementary interventions are not disaggregated within this chart; accordingly, the cumulative volume of service interactions delivered during 2025 is estimated to be approximately 20–25% higher than the figures presented.
Organisational Reflection
The achievements of 2025 reflect:
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Strong community trust and repeat engagement
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Effective partnership working with councils, NHS, and voluntary sector organisations
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A culturally competent, grassroots delivery model
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A preventative, early-intervention ethos
Cohesive Society CIC has demonstrated both scale and credibility, responding flexibly to rising need while maintaining professional standards expected by funders and public bodies.
Closing Statement
As Cohesive Society CIC concludes this landmark year, the organisation extends its sincere appreciation to all clients, funders, volunteers, partners, and service-delivery collaborators who have contributed to this collective success.
With renewed confidence and purpose, Cohesive Society CIC looks ahead to continuing its work in strengthening lives, improving well-being, and building a more inclusive and resilient Northampton.
We wish all our service users, supporters, funders, volunteers, and partner organisations a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
