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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION Registered Charity Number 1130788 Company Number 06834521
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| CONTENTS Legal and Administrative Information Report of the Directors and Trustees Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements Independent Examiner's Report |
Page |
|---|---|
| 3 4 - 21 22 23 24-26 27 |
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
COMPANY INFORMATION LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Constitution
Creative Mentors Foundation is a charitable company limited by guarantee. It was incorporated on 3 March 2009, number 06834521 and is a registered charity, number 1130788.
Trustees & Directors
The Trustees serving during the year and since the year end and to the date of this report are:-
Qona Rankin Bart Peerless Alan Cummings Andrew Whitby-Collins Andrew Charles Blessley
Secretary
JTC (UK) Limited
Registered Office
The Scalpel 18th Floor 52 Lime Street London EC3M 7AF
Website
www.creativementors.org
Bankers
Barclays Bank PLC Plaistow Branch 737 Barking Road London E13 9PL
Solicitors
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP 5 Fleet Place London EC4M 7RD
Independent Examiner
Darren O'Connor BSc (Hons) FCCA ACA James Cowper Kreston Apex Forbury Road Reading RG1 1AX
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The Directors and Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025. Legal and administrative information is set out on page 3 and forms part of this report. The Annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Trustees
All trustees are also directors of the company therefore they are appointed in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees/directors are referred to throughout this report as trustees. No trustees have any interest in the assets of the charitable company.
Objects of the Charity
The aim of the charity is to help make the arts curriculum at state primary and secondary schools more accessible and rewarding for children with either a diagnosis or are suspected, of having an SpLD (Specific Learning Difference). The charity employs arts post graduates who have an SpLD and places them in schools where they work alongside the existing staff who are engaged in arts teaching. In addition, the mentors run lunch-time or after school clubs for groups of children with a diagnosis of or suspected SpLD.
The charity seeks to:
· Raise awareness among staff who teach creative subjects about the implications of working with young people who process information differently.
· Raise awareness in schools about the possible advantages there are for people with an SpLD involved in the arts, precisely because they have the ability to think in unpredictable and original ways.
· Provide encouragement for children with an SpLD who have lost confidence in their ability, in both academic and creative subjects, because of their struggle with the school curriculum and the exam system. · Provide role models who faced the same problems in their time at school as the children, but made their way through the system to educational and potential career success.
Public benefit
We have complied with our duty to have due regard to the guidance on Public Benefit published by the Charity Commission. We continue to recognise the importance of collecting feedback from the Creative Mentors’ students, subject teachers and head teachers so that we can assess the benefit to the public. We have continued to receive extremely positive feedback from students, teachers and parents which continues to demonstrate the benefit the Creative Mentors bring to the schools. The visitors to our website demonstrate our wider impact. (See below.)
Overview
The Creative Mentors Foundation continues to grow—through the development of our mentors and the expanding opportunities we provide. This evolution brings fresh perspectives, renewed energy, and greater impact to our work.
In summer 2024, we said farewell to mentor Stuart McCaffer, who relocated to Ireland. His move meant we could no longer support Capital City Academy, but we were thrilled he returned for our pilot Autumn halfterm Workshops, creating a magical inflatable piece that became a project highlight.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
These workshops welcomed former mentors like Stuart back as visiting freelancers and gave our team valuable insight and hands-on experience—laying the groundwork for developing future holiday workshops for children with specific learning difficulties.
Before going on maternity leave, Alice established a connection with the creative agency forpeople, who generously offered us exhibition space in their beautifully converted Oval studio. Work from the half-term workshops was shown alongside student pieces from the year. The exhibition was a tremendous success, and it was wonderful to see the children’s pride in their professionally presented work. The attendance of parents and staff at the exhibition was the highest that we have ever had. We are hoping to hold something similar in the spring term.
(View the exhibition online: creativementors.org/environs-exhibition-nov-2024)
In February, we enjoyed a belated Christmas celebration at ‘Forza’ with Alice before her maternity leave. We were fortunate that Alex Bowie, who had previously worked with Deborah (Head of Art at Haberdashers’), could take over Alice’s two days there—ensuring continuity in our mentoring programme. Alex, a Glasgow School of Art graduate with postgraduate training in Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE), also worked part-time at the National Gallery leading creative workshops. The artwork she produced with students was outstanding, we featured a section of it on our exhibition poster.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The success of the half-term workshops led to a second two-day programme at the start of the summer holidays. Alongside JP and Alex, we welcomed back Stuart, Jaz Wharmby, and Bethany Malcolm, who would have joined us for our Falmouth project. For the first time, we also ran an improvisation workshop for Year 6 students preparing to join the school in autumn. The Headteacher praised its impact in helping new pupils feel comfortable and confident in their new environment.
Frances Conteh
Charles Dickens Primary School and The St Marylebone CE School
I continue to work on Mondays with small groups of Year 4–6 students. In September 2024, I introduced a clay project inspired by the Hand of Fatima (Hamsa)—a symbol of happiness and good fortune. Students explored drawing and pattern-making, then created personal ceramic amulets reflecting what makes them happy. The tactile nature of clay made this project especially engaging, and students were delighted with their colourful, glazed pieces.
Hand of Fatima Worksheets
Once the group had developed their design ideas, they cut out their clay Hamsa hands by tracing around a cardboard template placed on rolled-out clay slabs. Using a variety of tools, they then imprinted their designs into the clay, adding detail and texture.
I noticed that the students responded very positively to this project, most likely because working with clay is such a tactile and malleable experience.
After the initial bisque firing, the students painted their pieces using coloured underglazes to bring out bright tones and details. The Hamsa designs were then fired again, and the students were pleased with their project outcome.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Ceramic Hand of Fatima
Research Drawings
This term, my groups began “Shapes & Colours: Crafting Geometric Pattern Designs”, exploring geometric patterns through collage and print. Students identified everyday shapes, created group table patterns using templates, and developed individual compositions through collage and marker drawings. As an extension, they produced half-drop repeat prints, learning how to create continuous designs through rearrangement and replication.
Geometric Table Pattern Designs
The group used geometric templates to draw and cut out a range of basic shapes - squares, circles, rectangles, and triangles. They then explored geometric patternmaking. I gave them action words to guide how they arranged the shapes on the table, creating vertical and horizontal lines, circular formations and other layouts. It was great to see how each student interpreted the same instructions in their own way, resulting in a variety of unique patterns through a group hands-on activity.
Circular Patterns
Diagonal Patterns
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Vertical Patterns Overlapping
Collage Pattern Making
Students extended their patternmaking by using geometric templates on A4 paper to explore composition and scale. They traced shapes, added colour and collage with paper and tape, and experimented freely with pattern and colour using marker pens.
KaleidaCam App
The design process was explored further with a KaleidaCam App. The students individually took kaleidoscopic photos of their collage/drawing designs using the different pattern styles and effects to capture visually engaging abstract pattern.
Half Drop Repeat Print
As an extension project, students explored the half-drop print technique. The group began by creating abstract collage designs incorporated with drawing. The work was cut into 3 sections, re-arranged and areas redrawn or collaged with added details. The designs were then photocopied multiple times. Using the repeated copies, each student assembled a large-scale pattern by arranging them in a half-drop layout to form a continuous repeat design.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Students Observations and Feedback
A Year 6 parent noted that the sessions help regulate their child’s emotions and confidence. One student commented, “I like working with you because it’s a break from Maths and English.” Others expressed how much they enjoy 3D work and the freedom to get “messy” with clay.
Small-group sessions have supported focus, creativity, and emotional wellbeing—particularly for students with attendance or behavioural challenges.
Student Feedback:
“I like working with you because it’s a break from Maths and English”
“I like to make 3D models”
“I like working with clay because it’s fun and I like to get messy”
“You’re a good teacher and you're helpful and you take responsibility”
“You’re fun and things are always fun”
St Marylebone CE School Wednesday and Thursday After School Club
Each year, I welcome new Year 7 students to Textiles Club, beginning with a stitch project inspired by artist Britt Fabello. Students designed geometric patterns, pierced stitching holes, and practiced running and backstitch on paper and fabric.
My Thursday Year 8 club, “Felt Like You,” built on previous work. Students created needle-felted portraits of each other, using interviews and visual research to capture colour, texture, and personality in their designs.
Creative Mentor sessions/ Year 11 student progress
I also continued mentoring a Year 11 student who began in my Year 8 club. Their tutor reported significant growth in both confidence and creativity, evident in their GCSE art portfolio. I plan to follow up on their postGCSE art and design ambitions.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Summary
Across both schools, 2024 has been an inspiring and productive year. Students have strengthened creative thinking, fine motor skills, and confidence through clay, collage, print, and textiles. The projects continue to foster emotional wellbeing, self-expression, and a lasting enthusiasm for the arts.
JP Guerrier
This year I continued working with my previous Year 7 group as they progressed to Year 8, while also forming a new group for incoming Year 7 students. Much of our work centred around clay—exploring both traditional ceramic techniques (pinch pots, coil building) and more experimental approaches such as pressing natural textures from the school garden and experimenting with form and glaze. Collaboration with Charter’s art technician, Susan Swartzberg, was invaluable; her expertise and support with kiln firings and materials made this work possible.
For Year 7s, clay sessions introduced the fundamentals of the medium—its behaviour, possibilities, and techniques. Year 8s built upon prior knowledge, creating more ambitious pieces that incorporated colour and surface design through glazing.
First Workshops at Haberdashers’
In October 2024, I led “The Environment of Sound,” a two-day workshop at Haberdashers’ in Borough. Year 8 students explored active listening, field recording, and sound creation through sculptural forms. Using small motors and circuits, they built instruments and sound sculptures inspired by the ambient sounds around them.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The project encouraged them to think critically about how our world sounds—past, present, and future—and to translate auditory experience into physical form.
The workshops were a resounding success; students were enthusiastic to perform and share their sound pieces, gaining a deeper appreciation for sound as both an art form and an expressive tool.
Environs Exhibition
In November, I exhibited student work at the Environs Exhibition hosted by forpeople in Oval. Pieces from both Charter and Haberdashers’ were showcased, including moving light sculptures made with coloured acetate, layered drawings, and laser-cut components. These illuminated works explored animation and motion, offering students insight into planning and digital fabrication processes in collaboration with Charter’s DT department.
Also featured were photograms from a workshop with Rugile Klzlovskyte, introducing students to darkroom techniques and experimental photography. Both groups visited the exhibition—an inspiring opportunity to see their work presented professionally, boosting confidence and ambition.
Butterfly project
In June, we again partnered with Camberwell Arts Festival, contributing to a large-scale Butterfly Walk installation. Students designed and decorated paper butterflies with collage, paint, and pastel, later displayed alongside works from other local schools. Seeing their art publicly exhibited in their own community proved deeply rewarding and affirming.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Plans for next year and final thoughts
Next year, I will continue developing groups across Years 7–9 at Charter. Building on our foundations, I plan to introduce film and animation projects, incorporating sound design and foley inspired by the Haberdashers’ workshops. Students will gain hands-on experience with Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere, and possibly explore projection mapping—broadening their digital skillset for future creative pursuits.
Ceramics will remain a focus, expanding into larger sculptural forms and further experimentation with glaze and texture. I also look forward to returning to Haberdashers’ for new collaborative workshops with Creative Mentor Nic Faris, exploring innovative directions for the year ahead.
Alice report 2024/25
From September 2024, I continued to be based 2 days a week at Haberdashers’ Borough Academy and 1 day a week doing admin and coordination work for the charity. In February 2025, I started my maternity leave (9 months duration).
During the autumn term, I worked on a project with year 7 students to create giant jewellery sculptures. The students spent a few weeks researching inspiration and designed their ideas, then we embarked on several weeks of trialling different materials such as mod roc and papier mache. The final pieces were large beaded necklaces (papier mache balloons) which were decorated in various bright patterns, inspired by the work of Peter Blake, Yinka Ilori and Camille Walala. These were suspended from the ceiling during our Creative Mentors exhibition at the Pickle Factory.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
During the October half term, we trialled a 2 day holiday art school. I worked with a group of year 11 students. The theme was ‘Environment’, so our project was focused on zooming in and looking closely at the environment around us at the local park. Students took photos, frottaged, and then used a 2 part silicone mould to capture a texture in the park that they particularly liked. We then cast this in pewter. The students also practiced some basic jewellery techniques and some of them created jewellery from found materials.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
One of my final projects before I took maternity leave was working on supporting students create a new visual library of social stories for the school. I worked with 2 groups of KS3 students, a mix of neurodiverse and some supportive peers. We researched the most commonly used words for social stories and created some simple images that represented these words or instructions. Students then translated these into a ‘Haberdashers' style’ by mono printing the images in various colours. Students seemed to really enjoy the process and the SEN staff were really pleased with the outcomes.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
28th April-14th July 2025 Alex Bowie Haberdashers' Borough Academy
It has been a pleasure working with Creative Mentors at Haberdashers’ Borough Academy. From the end of April until the summer break in July, I worked with groups of Year 7 and Year 8 students on Mondays. I had previously collaborated with Creative Mentors during their two-day holiday programme at Haberdashers' in October 2024, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to return on a longer-term basis to cover Alice’s maternity leave.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
During my time at Haberdashers', I explored a variety of creative techniques and practices with the students. The groups were enthusiastic and eager to engage, relishing the chance to experiment and express their creativity. I followed a similar series of workshops with both year groups. My Year 7 group remained consistent throughout, while the Year 8 group changed slightly over time due to pupil absences. We began by exploring selfportraiture and self-expression, investigating how light can transform or distort our creations. Together, we discussed what self-portraiture means and questioned what a self-portrait could be. Students used acetate and coloured gels to create layered portraits, which we then projected around the room and onto different areas of the building. We experimented with how varying colours, lights, and overlapping images produced different effects. This shift—from drawing to using light as a medium—expanded our understanding of portraiture and inspired the students to play and experiment in new ways.
Later in the term, we moved on to mark-making processes, taking inspiration from Zimbabwean artist Portia Zvavahera and the textures and techniques she uses in her work. The students experimented with wax resist, frottage, and guided mark-making, as well as using squeegees and textured tools to create their own expressive paintings.
When the students expressed an interest in doing more drawing, our conversations about pets and animals led us to explore the idea of “thera-pets”—companion animals that offer comfort during times of stress or sadness. Using reference images from books and online sources, the students designed their own ideal thera-pets, many of which combined features from multiple animals. We looked at alebrijes in Mexican culture for inspiration on how to invent new creatures from familiar forms.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Students first drew their thera-pets, then transformed them into block prints, and finally brought them to life in 3D using air-dry clay. In our final sessions, each student designed a habitat for their thera-pet in a box using paint, collage, and mixed media. Every creation was unique and reflected the individuality of its maker.
We celebrated the finished thera-pets and their habitats together as a group, recognising the creativity and imagination that each student brought to the project.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Future Planning
We plan to organise an exhibition in the spring to celebrate and showcase our students’ creativity and progress. From the new year every student working with our programme will receive a Creative Mentors Foundation A3 or A4 sketchbook to support their artistic development and encourage regular creative practice. We will also continue to expand and refine our holiday workshops, ensuring they remain engaging and impactful.
Additionally, we aim to strengthen our feedback loop to more effectively demonstrate the positive impact CMF has on students with SpLD. Our focus will be on refining existing processes and exploring new methods for gathering meaningful, insightful feedback that highlights the success and influence of our programmes.
Thanks
We would like to extend our thanks to the incredible teachers, staff and mentors who have supported CMF throughout the year. Special thanks to:
St Marylebone, Vicky Cerdano and Steph Corban
Charter School North Dulwich Louise Ungpakorn, Matt Spaul, Susan Swartzburg, Fiona Lucas and Emy Mills
Haberdashers’ Askes Borough Academy, Paris Thompson and Deborah Britton Field Charles Dickens Primary School Miss Messmain
Fiona Hurst and her team at forpeople
We also extend our gratitude to Shobhan Shah for his ongoing good humour in maintaining and updating our website, to our trustees for their guidance and encouragement, and of course to our dedicated mentors, none of this would be possible without their passion and commitment. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of children with SpLD.
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----- Start of picture text -----
Charter School, Charter School Marlborough
Year Grey Coat Hospital St Marylebone North Dulwich East Dulwich Bridge School Primary School Oxford Gardens
2010 Andrew Vallence
RCA Visual
Communication
2011 Stuart McCaffer
RCA Sculpture
2012 Nienke Van Wijk RCA Tomasz Crompton
Visual Communication RCA Architecture
Steven Frew Stuart McCaffer
RCM Piano & RCA Sculpture
Composition
2013 Joe Drakeford RCA Alice Mclean RCA
Printmaking Jewellery & Metal
Fiona Howell Steve Irwin
RAM Voice RAM Voice
2014 Hollie Paxton
RCA Jewellery &
Metal
Lucy Joyce RCA
Sculpture
Fiona Howell Robbie Campbell
RAM Voice School of Oriental &
African Studies
Music &
Development
2015 Frances Conteh RCA Luke Barton RCA
Textiles Sculpture
Simon Tong RAM Rachel Frant
Trumpet RAM Voice
2016 Claire Blundell Jones Richard Hards RCA Frances Conteh
RCA Printmaking Sculpture RCA Textiles
Olivia Watts Simon Tong
Guildhall School of RAM Trumpet
Music & Drama
2017 Cara George Josh Saunders Frances Conteh Stuart McCaffer
RCA Jewellery & RCA Animation RCA Textiles RCA Sculpture
Metal
Simon Tong
RAM Trumpet
2018 Frances Conteh Frances Conteh Stuart McCaffer Frances Conteh
RCA Textiles RCA Textiles RCA Sculpture RCA Textiles
2019 Frances Conteh Frances Conteh Stuart McCaffer Alice McLean Alice McLean RCA
RCA Textiles RCA Textiles RCA Sculpture RCA Jewellery Jewellery
Jaz Wharmby
Cambridge
2020 Frances Conteh Frances Conteh Stuart McCaffer Alice McLean Alice McLean RCA Eleanor Hamblen
RCA Textiles RCA Textiles RCA Sculpture RCA Jewellery Jewellery Oxford
2021 Frances Conteh Frances Conteh Stuart McCaffer Alice McLean Alice McLean RCA Eleanor Hamblen
RCA Textiles RCA Textiles RCA Sculpture RCA Jewellery Jewellery Oxford
Haberdashers Charter School, Capital City Charles Dickens
Borough Academy St Marylebone North Dulwich Academy Paddock School Primary
2022 Alice McLean Frances Conteh Frances Conteh Stuart McCaffer Clare Johnston
RCA jewellery RCA Textiles RCA Textiles RCA Sculpture RCA Textiles
2023 Frances Conteh Frances Conteh Nic Faris Stuart McCaffer Qona Rankin
RCA Textiles RCA Textiles RCA RCA Sculpture RCA Design
Communication Education
2024 Alice McLean Frances Conteh JP Guerrier Stuart McCaffer Frances Conteh
RCA jewellery RCA Textiles RCA RCA Sculpture RCA Textiles
Communication
2025 Alice McLean Frances Conteh JP Guerrier Frances Conteh
Alex Bowie RCA Textiles RCA RCA Textiles
RCA jewellery Communication
----- End of picture text -----
KEY
Green = Music Blue = Art & Design Orange = Drama
RCM = Royal College of Music RAM = Royal Academy of Music RCA = Royal College of Art
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Financial Review
During the year the charity received donations of £128,813 (2024: £41,187) and had a surplus of income over expenditure of £34,926 (2024: deficit of £70,142).
The charity had four (2024: four) mentors during the year who received £51,021 (2024: £61,305) as salary (page 25). Further details of the financial activities of the charity can be found in the financial statements on pages 22 to 26.
Risk Assessment
The Trustees keep the risks associated with the charity continually under review. The key risk facing the charity is that its financial commitments will exceed its resources from time to time, however the charity always holds sufficient cash reserves to meet its current obligations. The other principal risk is to ensure the Creative Mentors are of sufficient calibre and of suitable character and all relevant checks on them are carried out before they are employed.
The Trustees maintain a register of risks which the Charity may potentially face, which is reviewed at each meeting and updated as required.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees consider reserves equal to their extant contractual obligations to the Creative Mentors should be retained. As at 31 August 2025, general funds were £84,015, representing 145% of charitable expenditure for the year.
Structure, Governance and Management
Creative Mentors Foundation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 3 March 2009 and registered as a charity on 28 July 2009. The charitable company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed by its Articles of Association. In the event of the charity being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
The day to day running of the charity is managed by Qona Rankin. The trustees meet formally once a year and informally as required.
Policies for Inducting and Training Trustees
There are no formal policies for training trustees. All trustees are professionals in their own area and are from time to time provided with copies of the charity commission publications on the responsibilities of trustees. New trustees are inducted by Qona Rankin and provided with copies of the most recent accounts and trustee minutes. They are supported in their role by the continuing trustees.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Trustees’ Responsibility in relation to the Financial Statements
Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees should follow best practice and:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures
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disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the
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charitable company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In preparing this report, the Trustees have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.
Approval
16 March 2026
The Trustees’ report and the financial statements were approved by the trustees on …..........................
Qona Rankin 16 Mar 2026 16:16:25 GMT (UTC +0)
…..........................................................................
Qona Rankin
On behalf of the Board of Trustees
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| Income from: Donations and legacies Total income Expenditure on Charitable Activities Governance Costs Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Net Movement in Funds Reconciliation of Funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Note 4 5 6 12 |
Restricted Unrestricted Total funds funds funds 2025 2025 2025 £ £ £ - 128,813 128,813 - 128,813 128,813 - 59,229 59,229 - 34,658 34,658 - 93,887 93,887 - 34,926 34,926 - 34,926 34,926 231 49,089 49,320 231 84,015 84,246 |
Total funds 2024 £ 41,187 41,187 68,514 42,815 111,329 (70,142) (70,142) 119,462 49,320 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes and schedules on pages 24 to 26 form part of these accounts.
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
Company Number 06834521
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 AUGUST 2025
| Note £ £ Fixed Assets Tangible assets - Current Assets Debtors 7 7,086 Cash at bank 84,801 91,887 Less: Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Creditors 8 7,641 7,641 Net Current Assets/Liabilities 84,246 Total Assets less Current Liabilities 84,246 Represented by :- General Funds - General Unrestricted Funds 12 84,015 - Restricted Funds 12 231 Total Funds available for Charitable Purposes 84,246 2025 |
£ £ - 2,062 56,497 58,559 9,239 9,239 49,320 49,320 49,089 231 49,320 2024 |
|---|---|
The company's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The Trustees consider that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 ("the Act") and members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008).
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees and were signed on their behalf by:
Qona Rankin 16 Mar 2026 16:16:25 GMT (UTC +0)
…..........................................................
Qona Rankin Trustee Date: 16 March 2026
The notes and schedules on pages 24 to 26 form part of these accounts
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Introduction
Creative Mentors Foundation is a company limited by guarantee (No. 06834521) and a registered charity (No. 1130788). Its objects are as stated in the Trustees report.
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Creative Mentors Foundation meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objects of the charity.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes.
Donations
Donations are recognised when received by the charity.
Expenditure
Expenditure is included on an accruals basis inclusive of VAT when a liability is incurred.
Governance
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity including the costs of preparing the financial statements.
Liabilities
Accruals are recognised when there is a present obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event. Accruals are measured at the best estimate of their settlement amount.
2 NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR
| NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| This is stated after charging: | ||||
| Trustees / Directors' remuneration and other benefits etc. | - | - |
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
3 TAXATION
A charge to tax does not arise because of the company’s charitable status.
4 DONATIONS
| Donations | 2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024 Restricted Unrestricted Total Restricted Unrestricted Total - 128,813 128,813 - 41,187 41,187 |
|---|---|
5 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Mentors' wages & salaries Donations Insurance Website and IT costs Exhibition costs and materials Training Sundry |
2025 2025 Restricted Unrestricted £ £ 51,021 - - - 1,265 340 6,408 - - 195 - 59,229 |
2024 Restricted £ - - - - 2,900 - - 2,900 |
2024 Unrestricted £ 61,305 - 1,334 103 2,741 - 131 65,614 |
|---|---|---|---|
There are 4 part-time employees (2024: 3 part-time employees). There were no employees who received total employee benefits of more than £60,000.
| 6 GOVERNANCE COSTS Annual accounts Independent examination Payroll Legal fees Bank charges 7 DEBTORS Advance on expenses Owed by Qona PAYE |
2025 £ 2,034 822 1,248 30,491 63 34,658 2025 £ 231 2,160 4,695 7,086 |
2024 £ 1,860 816 1,142 38,952 45 42,815 2024 £ 231 - 1,831 2,062 |
|---|---|---|
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CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| 8 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Wages Pensions Accruals |
2025 £ - 189 7,452 7,641 |
2024 £ 4,466 174 4,599 9,239 |
|---|---|---|
9 TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
Trustees were not paid for their services to the charitable company and did not receive any reimbursement of expenses.
10 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Bart Peerless is a partner in Charles Russell Speechlys LLP who acted as solicitors to the company and charged fees amounting to £30,491 (2024: £38,952) inclusive of VAT, during the year.
11 ANALYSIS OF FUND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| Fixed Assets Current Assets Current Liabilities Total |
Restricted Unrestricted Fund 2025 Fund 2025 £ £ - - 231 91,656 - (7,641) 231 84,015 |
Restricted Fund 2024 £ - 231 - 231 |
Unrestricted Fund 2024 £ - 58,328 (9,239) 49,089 |
|---|---|---|---|
12 MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS
| General Restricted |
31 August Incoming Outgoing 31 August 2024 Resources Resources 2025 49,089 128,813 (93,887) 84,015 231 - - 231 49,320 128,813 (93,887) 84,246 |
|---|---|
13 CONTROL OF THE CHARITY
The charity is controlled by its board of trustees.
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
CREATIVE MENTORS FOUNDATION
I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 August 2025 which are set out on pages 22 to 26.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT
As the Trustees of the company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the company's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT
I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
16 March 2026
Signed: …................................................. Dated : ….................................................
Darren O'Connor BSc (Hons) FCCA ACA
James Cowper Kreston Apex Forbury Road Reading RG1 1AX
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