Paulsgrove ARK’s 1st AGM!

Written By Thomas Hoare

Left to Right: Cllr. Ben Swann (Copnor), Catherine Ramsay (HIVE), Deborah Hodgson (HDRC), Sandie Davies (SPARK), Emily Burt (SPARK)

Paulsgrove ARK hosted our first AGM on the 19th January 2026 at the Paulsgrove Community Centre.

We were joined by partners from Seekers Create, HIVE Portsmouth, Wymering Manor Trust, SPARK Community Space, United Learning, St Michaels and the local ward Councillors. Paulsgrove residents were invited to join us in person or via the social media livestream.

The meeting was opened by the Chairman of Paulsgrove ARK, Thomas Hoare, at 17:30 for introductions and apologies for absence. The Chairman then presented a report covering the group's activities since constituting in November 2024, including Paulsgrove ARK’s presence at community events throughout the year and Connections made with the VCSE and public sector. The Chairman then set out the upcoming activities for 2025, including the first of our ‘Monthly Community Chippy Teas‘ and Paulsgrove ARK’s ‘Community Start-Up Scheme‘.

Read the minutes here!

Left to Right: Thomas Hoare (Paulsgrove ARK), Maurica Benford (Paulsgrove ARK), Deborah Hodgson (HDRC), Duke Harrison-Hunter (Ambassador4Change), Cllr. Joe Standen, Steve Baker (Seekers Create), Sharon Emery (Portsmouth Forest Schools), Hayley Cook (Paulsgrove ARK), Lynn Doel (Paulsgrove ARK), Clair Martin (Seekers Create).

The Chairman then presented the Financial report for the period of 21/11/2024 - 18/01/2026. This report covered the income generated from grants and the expense incurred from creation of Issue #1 of our newsletter. The Chairman gave an update on the ‘Transformation Funding‘ that Portsmouth City Council had allocated for Paulsgrove ARK.

Attendees were invited to take part in our ‘What would you like to see in 2026‘ breakout session. The group discussed things that are coming in 2026, including:

  • Seekers Create - Pompey Games,

  • Wymering manor - Opening up the Manor for the community,

  • HIVE Portsmouth - Development of the community assets in the North of Portsmouths

Read the Reports here!
Thomas Hoare

Thomas Hoare is Chairman of Paulsgrove ARK and has been since the group was founded on the 21st November 2024. Outside of Paulsgrove ARK, Thomas works as a Helpdesk Coordinator for a well know Portsmouth based charity, as well as serving as a School Governor at Beacon View Primary Academy.

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