Project Factory CIC

Directors’ Report – Project Factory CIC (Year Ending 2025) Project Factory CIC is a community interest company dedicated to delivering high-quality, volunteer-led initiatives through events, project development, and collaborative partnerships. The organisation provides administrative, communications, marketing, and fundraising support, alongside strategic consultation to enable community projects to thrive. During the year, Project Factory refined its programme of activity, focusing on a smaller number of impactful initiatives that continued to deliver meaningful community engagement. In January 2025, Project Factory delivered a series of lantern-making workshops under the theme Carnival of Animals, culminating in the annual Lantern Parade in Wells. The parade began at Wells Cathedral and processed through the Medieval Quarter, maintaining its position as a key cultural event in the local calendar. The workshops were supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and attracted broad participation from families across the community. Particular emphasis was placed on inclusive engagement, with involvement from members of the displaced Ukrainian community. These intergenerational sessions encouraged creativity, collaboration, and social connection. As part of this programme, Project Factory also delivered a tailored workshop for members of The Lawrence Centre, supporting individuals living with age-related conditions, including memory loss. In line with its commitment to accessibility, Project Factory fully funded workshop delivery costs at Wells Cathedral. While a small charge was applied to lantern kits, participation remained free for those on low incomes and for refugees. In April 2025, Project Factory collaborated with The Lawrence Centre to deliver a joint fundraising event, Call My Wine Bluff. The event was attended by 130 guests and raised funds with proceeds shared between the two organisations. Over the summer period, Project Factory hosted a series of smaller community engagement events aimed at supporting the integration of local Ukrainian residents. These sessions provided an opportunity to better understand community needs and explore ways to support longer-term inclusion and participation. Despite a more focused programme, Project Factory has continued to deliver high-quality, inclusive activities that strengthen community cohesion and support collaborative working across the voluntary sector.