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Peter Ashley Activity Centres Annual Report 2024

Peter Ashley Activity Centres (PAAC) is a Portsmouth-based charity operating two Victorian scheduled monument sites — Fort Purbrook and Fort Widley — as outdoor activity and equestrian centres. In 2023/24 total audience engagement grew 18% to 95,360, including 7,611 activity session attendees, 21,847 equestrian participants and a new HAF programme welcoming 340 children. The charity runs climbing, archery, rifle shooting, water sports, bushcraft and residential programmes at Fort Purbrook, and riding, Saddle Club, Pony Club, RDA and Special Olympics sessions at Fort Widley. Total income was £994,905 and the net deficit reduced from £53,213 to £18,975 as the charity transitions into its Thrive Phase.

Report snapshot
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About

Activity sessions at Fort Purbrook (climbing, archery, rifle shooting, assault course, mountain biking, orienteering, water sports, laser activities, bushcraft, initiative tests); residential programmes; Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme (340 participants); equestrian activities at Fort Widley including private rides, group rides, Saddle Club, Pony Club, Tiny Tots, RDA sessions and Special Olympics; Duke of Edinburgh expeditions; Scouts and Guides camping; Victorian heritage tours; community events including Family Fun Day (2,000 attendees), Chilli & Gin Festival, Big Charity Bash and Woodland Crafts Fair Custom geography from upload: Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK (Fort Purbrook and Fort Widley)

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 95,360 total audience engagements — an 18% increase on 80,706 the previous year; 7,611 attendances at Fort Purbrook activity sessions; 21,847 attendances at Fort Widley equestrian centre
Key Metric 2 2,733 activity sessions run at Fort Purbrook across climbing, archery, rifle shooting, mountain biking, water sports, bushcraft, laser activities and more; 2,425 residential attendees; 3,586 holiday activity participants
Key Metric 3 £994,905 total income; 41% of activity centre users from outside Portsmouth (PO7-22 postcodes); 47% of equestrian centre users from outside the city

Key Outcomes

  • HAF programme launched for first time in 2023/24 attracting 340 participants; holiday activities grew to 3,586 from 1,413 the previous year; equestrian participation increased to 21,847 — highest in recent years
  • Over 200 girls from Bere Forest Guiding Association attended to mark their 50th anniversary; RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) sessions delivered across private rides, group rides and stable management for participants with disabilities
  • Net deficit reduced from £53,213 to £18,975 despite cost-of-living pressures; charity entering 'Thrive Phase' of five-year strategy; conservation work ongoing at scheduled monument sites with Historic England and Rural Payments Agency support

Geography

Other

Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
21,212 people engaged with in 2024/25
Key Metric 2
17,708 people played some form of rugby through Foundation programmes
Key Metric 3
More than £9,000 raised through Foundation Day; 9,000+ given back to grassroots rugby clubs
88% of girls in the Girls Tackle Rugby programme reported feeling more confident, per independent research with Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
£3,112,419 raised to deliver projects in 2024/25; total income £2,920,000 and total expenditure £2,850,000 (year ended 31 August 2024)
Key Metric 2
28,692 people took part in activities; 307,544 visits to sessions; 17,793 sessions delivered
Key Metric 3
More than 16,000 young people engaged across early years and primary programmes; 34 Premier League Primary Stars partner schools; over 7,000 healthy meals provided...
Blackpool FC Sports College A Team won the CEFA league title 2024/25; BFC School received 'Good' Ofsted rating in November 2024; Norbreck Primary Academy reached EFL Utilita Kids Cup National Final at Wembley, winning Regional Finals unbeaten
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
Total income £659,217 and total expenditure £674,216 (year ended 30 June 2025, charity no. 1137275); 10,252 individuals engaged across the 2024/25 season, with 9,713...
Key Metric 2
82% of participants reported positive impact on mental wellbeing; 84% on physical wellbeing; 82% on sense of community; 86% made new friends since joining
Key Metric 3
70% agreed they made positive changes to their life as a result of CUF activity; 63% of adult participants felt a strong sense of...
56.7% of young people hardly ever or never feel lonely vs national average; 94% of participants feel welcome, safe and included; CUF participants ranked higher than Cambridge and UK averages for happiness, life satisfaction and worthwhile life
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
6,744 participants engaged across education, social inclusion, employability, heritage and health programmes in 2024/25
Key Metric 2
37,357 hours of positive activity delivered; £3.9 million in social value generated
Key Metric 3
4,805 pupils supported across 58 education settings; 300+ young people referred across six Engage hubs in Northampton, Kettering, Corby and Milton Keynes
89% of young people attending Engage programme made positive steps; 92% of employability learners moved to positive progression