In 2025 we delivered 9 Projects, made possible thanks to funding from:
- West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner
- Walsall Council
- Black Country NHS Mental Health Trust
- Sport England
- Green Square Accord
We made small profits from sales of:
- Social Care Success Academy and
- Coaching & Training
Thank you for Enabling Transformations with Reach for a Star!
ABOUT
REACH FOR A STAR C.I.C.
Reach for a Star, founded in 2019 as a Limited Company by Sylwia Juranek, became a Community Interest Company in November 2022.
We are a Women Led Organisation, based in Walsall, West Midlands, on a mission to empower individuals to lead a fulfilling life- equipped with the skills, confidence and opportunities to realise their full potential and achieve their goals.
OUR VISION
We envision a transformed Education, Health and Social Care Sectors where communities grow stronger through self-awareness, strategic action and partnership approach.
We achieve this through:
- Designing and delivering targeted community-led projects that enhance wellbeing, independence, and life outcomes.
- Empowering individuals to become agents of their own change — in families, workplaces, and communities.
- Supporting health & social care providers, local authorities, and private sector to improve quality, culture, and impact, focusing on future outcomes.
- Advocating for a whole system approach, coproduction, and equity — ensuring lived experience drives systems that serve us all.
CHANGES IN 2025
In 2025 we experienced ‘behind the scenes’ changes, whilst ensuring our day-to- day projects delivery remained consistent.
- We welcomed on Board two New Directors, who are both Polish Women volunteers.
We have 3 Directors in Total:
1 Director is Neurodivergent, and
All 3 Directors are diagnosed with long term health conditions.
To see a list of Directors, visit Companies House: REACH FOR A STAR C.I.C. people – Find and update company information – GOV.UK
- In 2025, we said goodbye to our office at The Walsall Hub, at the heart of Walsall.
We moved in August 2024 and had a beautiful 12 months there!
The history of this building- previous Salvation Army Church- aligned with our mission and we were touched by the soul of Walsall there!
Scan this QR to watch the conversation with our landlord re:
Walsall Hub and its history!
We were truly proud to support the landlords Ellen & Kevin Edwards, with the grand opening by the Mayor of Walsall and bringing many community members into this beautiful location.
In 2025, we had to close some chapters, relationships and opportunities. And it is always a good thing! Created Space enables us to open up for new exciting things coming our way in 2026!
Have a look what we have been up to in 2025!
2025 was a year of growth, courage and community power. We delivered 9 community-led projects, engaged over 1,000 individuals, strengthened cross-sector partnerships and amplified the voices of women, migrants and families across Walsall and the West Midlands. Our mission remains to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives — equipped with the skills, confidence and opportunities to realise their potential.
2025 IN NUMBERS
- 9 projects delivered
- 1,000+ people engaged
- 34 Active Stars sessions
- 14 volunteers progressed
- Estimated social value: £4.3m–£4.7m
- BBC Make a Difference Award –Highly Commended in Active Category
ACTIVE STARS
Active Stars started in April 2023 in George Rose Park, Darlaston, with a simple but powerful idea — created by a single mum, Sylwia Juranek, and her then 11-year-old son.
What began as a small, informal gathering became a weekly free Family Active Time, delivered every Saturday from 10:00–11:30am. The aim was not just exercise, but connection: to create a safe, welcoming space where families could move together, spend time outdoors and feel part of their local community.
GreenSquareAccord enabled us to pay a local facilitator — a young mum who enjoys physical activity and was separated from her family abroad — supporting both programme sustainability and individual wellbeing through paid work.
In 2025 alone, Active Stars engaged over 200+ individuals, including men, women and children, and delivered 34 sessions.
Participants took part in fun, inclusive physical activities designed for all abilities. Families formed new friendships, reduced isolation and developed routines that supported both physical and mental health.
Our Most Popular Events were Active Easter and Active Halloween, both attracting 80+ children and their adults.
Community physical activity plays a vital role in improving mental wellbeing, confidence, emotional regulation and social development, especially for children and parents under pressure. Active Stars helped participants feel calmer, more connected and more resilient — outcomes that positively influence life chances, learning, behaviour and long-term health.
Environmental responsibility was also embedded into every session. Before each activity, volunteers and some participants collected 1–2 bags of litter, encouraging pride in local green spaces and shared ownership of the park.
Active Stars shows how consistent, community-led physical activity can strengthen mental health, improve life outcomes and build healthier, more connected neighbourhoods.
Project Manager: Sylwia Juranek
Estimated Social Value is: £905,000 – £990,000.
EASTERN EUROPEAN
BUSINESS NETWORK
The idea began when we applied to run an event as part of the West Midlands Business Festival — and were accepted. That opportunity led to the first Eastern European Business Networking Event in the West Midlands, creating a space that many people did not realise they had been missing.
The response was immediate. Participants didn’t just attend — they asked for more. The first event was attended by Polish, Ukrainian, Romanian, Moldovan, Croatian entrepreneurs from across West Midlands!
To maintain connection and momentum, we created a WhatsApp group, which quickly became a supportive peer network. In response to demand, we went on to organise four networking events during 2025,
each building trust, confidence and collaboration across communities and sectors.
Every event was attended by 20+ individuals from diverse backgrounds, including the private sector, community organisations, NHS and Local Authority.
For many migrant business owners, isolation is a major but often hidden barrier. Language differences, unfamiliar systems, lack of informal networks and fear of “not fitting in” can prevent people from accessing opportunities, support and partnerships. This initiative addressed that gap by creating a welcoming, culturally safe space where people could share experiences, learn from one another and build meaningful professional relationships.
The project was entirely volunteer-led and made possible through generous donations of space, refreshments, information and time, demonstrating the power of collaboration and shared purpose.
By strengthening social capital, reducing isolation and increasing confidence, this initiative supported migrant business owners to engage more actively in the local economy, build resilience and contribute fully to the region. It showed how inclusive networking can unlock potential, foster integration and strengthen the wider West Midlands business and community ecosystem.
Project Manager: Sylwia Juranek
Estimated Social Value is: £435,000 – £450,000
WALSALL BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NETWORKING
We noticed that many small business owners and community organisations felt intimidated by large, highly formal networking events. These spaces often felt exclusive, overly professional and disconnected from the realities of grassroots businesses and community-led work. As a result, valuable ideas, talent and opportunities were being lost.
In response, we created Walsall Business & Community Networking — a space rooted in the social economy, where relationships, purpose and community impact are as important as profit. The aim was to bring people together on equal terms and create an environment where businesses, community organisations and public services could connect meaningfully.
This space allowed community members to explore work experience and progression opportunities, enabled private businesses to buy from community organisations, and connected funders and business support directly with local community projects. In doing so, it demonstrated how the social economy strengthens local places by keeping value, skills and investment within the community.
Our vision quickly came to life. We delivered four networking events, each attended by 20–40 participants, including representatives from local public organisations, housing groups, community and voluntary organisations, private sector businesses and service providers from across the wider West Midlands.
Each event included Business Support Representatives, and we consistently shared best-practice examples of how organisations can embed health, wellbeing and social impact into their operations. This encouraged participants to think differently about success, leadership and sustainability.
The project was entirely volunteer-led and made possible through generous in-kind contributions of venues, refreshments, information and time, delivered in partnership with HomeServe Walsall. It showed that when communities, businesses and institutions collaborate through a social economy lens, they create stronger, fairer and more resilient local economies.
Project Manager: Sylwia Juranek
Estimated Social Value is: £430,000 – £450,000
WOMEN ON THE GO
Women on the Go, beyond their comfort zones!
Women on the Go was about stepping outside comfort zones — and quite literally walking our feet off across some of the most beautiful landscapes in the UK.
Thanks to £15,000 funding from Sport England, we delivered:
- 9 day trips for Polish women and children
- 2 day trips for Polish families
- engaging a total of 263 participants
For many women and families, these trips were their first experience of organised outdoor activity, travel within the UK, or taking part in structured physical activity in a group setting. The trips removed
common barriers such as cost, confidence, language and lack of transport.
The impact went far beyond the day trips themselves. Participants reported:
- increased confidence and independence
- improved physical activity levels through walking and outdoor movement
- stronger organisational and planning skills
- reduced isolation and improved mental wellbeing
- new friendships and peer support networks
Several women went on to create their own informal community walking and fitness groups, demonstrating sustained behaviour change and long-term impact beyond the funded period.
Women on the Go created safe, supportive spaces where women could move, connect, laugh and grow — while building a stronger sense of belonging and community and developing orienteering skills.
If you want to see more from our trips visit out tik tok channel:
Project Manager: Sylwia Juranek
Estimated Social Value is: £1.18m – £1.25m
WOMEN IN ACTION
The Women in Action project was born directly from community voice. Polish women told us they did not feel safe on the streets of Walsall and wanted practical support to build confidence, awareness and personal safety skills.
In response, we secured £5,000 funding from the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner to deliver a targeted self-defence programme for women and girls. We partnered with Strike Back, a local women-led self-defence training school, ensuring delivery was trauma-informed, empowering and led by experienced female instructors.
Classes were delivered at Willenhall Chart Community Centre.
Through this project, we delivered five 6-week self-defence courses, engaging 60–80 women and girls from diverse backgrounds. Sessions focused on personal safety awareness, boundary setting, confidence building, physical self-defence techniques and understanding risk in everyday environments.
The impact extended beyond physical skills. Participants reported:
- increased confidence and sense of personal safety
- improved awareness and assertiveness in public spaces
- reduced fear and anxiety when travelling alone
- stronger peer support and friendships
- feeling more empowered to participate in community life
Women in Action created a safe, supportive space where women could learn, practise and grow together — turning fear into confidence and isolation into connection.
Project Manager: Sylwia Juranek
Estimated Social Value is: £455,000 – 465,000
POLISH WOMEN
SUPPORT GROUP IN WALSALL
The Polish Women Support Group (PWSG) was a 12-month, community-led wellbeing programme delivered by Reach for a Star C.I.C. between March 2024 and March 2025. The project was developed in response to clear evidence of unmet mental health and wellbeing needs among Polish women in Walsall, including language barriers, social isolation and low awareness of available support.
We received £16,000 from Black Country NHS mental Health Trust to deliver this project!
The programme supported 70+ women through a mix of face-to-face wellbeing sessions, online peer support, baseline assessments and ongoing community engagement. Sessions were delivered in Polish, were trauma-informed and included childcare, ensuring accessibility for women with caring responsibilities. Activities focused on improving
mental health literacy, emotional regulation, confidence, resilience and early intervention.
As part of this program, we also delivered a small support group for 5 women who came out of Domestic Abuse.
The project also developed strong peer leadership, with trained volunteers facilitating sessions and supporting engagement. Over the course of delivery, the volunteer team grew to 14 women, several of whom progressed into paid roles or leadership positions within the community.
Participants reported reduced anxiety, improved wellbeing, stronger social connections and increased confidence. The project successfully reduced isolation, empowered women to seek help earlier and created a trusted, culturally competent support space aligned with NHS and Integrated Care System priorities.
Several beneficiaries became volunteers and many have become volunteers after the completion of the programme!
Project Manager: Sylwia Juranek
Estimated Social Value is: £470,000
KITCHEN REVOLUTION
This project focuses on improving healthy eating habits and supporting a positive “good food environment” among Polish families in Walsall through the co-creation of a community-led, bilingual Polish cookbook. The initiative responds directly to community feedback highlighting challenges such as limited time, tight household budgets, reliance on calorie-dense traditional meals and a lack of ideas for quick, healthy cooking.
The project develops a Polish–English cookbook featuring culturally appropriate recipes for 60 days! (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) designed specifically for busy parents. Recipes will be nutritious, affordable and easy to prepare, supporting families to make healthier food choices without losing connection to their cultural food traditions.
The bilingual format will also support everyday English language learning, helping families build confidence and integration through food.
Delivery centred around interactive community workshops, engaging Polish women as co-creators rather than passive recipients.
Participants contributed recipes, trial meals at home, provided feedback and shared photographs, ensuring authenticity and strong community ownership. Workshops created social connection, reduced isolation and strengthen confidence around healthy eating.
The project aligns with Reach for a Star C.I.C.’s wider work on tackling obesity and health inequalities, including an obesity-focused podcast addressing lifestyle challenges within Eastern European communities. Together, the cookbook and facebook group provide both practical tools and ongoing dialogue around food, health and wellbeing.
The next stage of the project is to publish the cook book on amazon to create a passive income for our community projects.
By combining cultural relevance, peer involvement and accessible health messaging, this project empowers families to improve nutrition, build skills and contribute to a healthier, more inclusive local food environment in Walsall, with learning and resources that can benefit wider communities beyond the project area.
This project involved 100+ Polish individuals, both men and women.
Project Manager: Beata Zaborniak
Estimated Social Value is: £350,000 – £410,000
TRAINING AND COACHING
In 2025, Reach for a Star C.I.C. delivered a wide range of training, workshops and coaching programmes aimed at strengthening leadership, improving communication and supporting healthier, more inclusive organisations across Walsall and the wider West Midlands.
A core part of this work was delivered through the Social Care Success Academy, where we supported social care providers, managers and aspiring leaders to improve quality, compliance, leadership capability and organisational culture. Our training helped providers strengthen their foundations, improve confidence navigating regulatory requirements and embed values-led, people-centred approaches within their services.
Alongside this, we delivered Communication, Cultural Awareness and Conflict Resolution training to Walsall-based stakeholders, including
Walsall Police and community partners. These sessions focused on improving understanding across cultures, strengthening communication under pressure and supporting more effective, respectful engagement with diverse communities.
We also provided 1:1 coaching and group coaching to business start-ups, community leaders and the local workforce. This support
helped individuals build confidence, develop leadership skills, navigate career progression and manage change within complex environments. Coaching was tailored to the individual and organisational context, supporting sustainable growth rather than short-term fixes.
Across all delivery, our approach combined practical tools, lived experience and evidence-based methods, ensuring learning was relevant, accessible and immediately applicable. This work contributed to stronger leadership, improved workforce wellbeing and more inclusive practices across organisations serving Walsall’s diverse communities.
Project Manager: Sylwia Juranek
ADVOCACY 2025
In 2025 we advocated for health equalities by raising awareness of ‘’White Other’’ racial minority in West Midlands.
BBC MAKE A DIFFERENCE AWARD
Highly Commended in Active Category 2025
Thank‑You & Partnership Appreciation
At Reach for a Star C.I.C., our work is rooted in people — their courage, their lived experiences, and their belief that community can be a place of safety, growth and opportunity. Everything we achieved in 2025 was possible because of the shared commitment of our funders, partners, volunteers and community members.
Our Funders & Commissioners
We extend our deepest thanks to the organisations whose support enabled us to deliver meaningful, community-led programmes throughout 2025:
- Sport England
- West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner
- Black Country NHS Mental Health Trust
- Walsall Council
- GreenSquareAccord
Your trust allowed us to create safe spaces for women, empower families, promote wellbeing, reduce isolation, and support individuals to build confidence, skills and resilience.
Our Partners
To the partners who contributed time, expertise, space and collaboration — thank you for strengthening our mission and walking alongside us:
- HomeServe Foundation
- Strike Back Self‑Defence
- Local community centres, grassroots groups and social economy organisations
- Businesses and entrepreneurs across the West Midlands
- Colleagues across health, social care and early intervention services
Your willingness to share your resources and stand with communities facing barriers has been instrumental in shaping sustainable impact.
Our Volunteers
To the incredible volunteers — many of whom joined us through lived experience — we offer our heartfelt gratitude.
Your leadership, creativity, compassion and dedication transformed projects from ideas into safe, supportive, life-changing spaces.
You are at the heart of this organisation.
Our Community
To every woman, man, child, parent, carer, entrepreneur and family who trusted us this year:
Thank you for your courage.
Thank you for your honesty.
Thank you for showing up for yourselves and each other.
You co‑created every success in this report.
We are honoured to serve a community as strong, diverse and inspiring as you.
Social Investment & Partnership Invitation
As a Community Interest Company, our work is grounded in collaboration.
We believe that long‑lasting change is built through relationships — across communities, funders, public services, businesses and local leaders.
We welcome warm, values‑aligned conversations with organisations, funders and partners who share our commitment to:
- community wellbeing
- women’s safety and empowerment
- migrant inclusion and cultural competence
- preventative health and early intervention
- grassroots leadership and lived experience
- stronger, more connected neighbourhoods
This is not a request — it is an invitation.
If you see your mission reflected in our work, we would love to explore how we can create impact together.
Together, we can continue to reach for brighter futures, stronger communities and opportunities that enable every person to thrive.
CONTACT US
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
Tel:
0744 303 202 6