Trustees’ Annual Report for the period from 01/08/2023 to 31/07/2024.
Charity name: Found Futures
Charity registration number:1197789
Objectives and Activities
Found Futures exists for the public benefit, the advancement of education of young people aged 11-18 in the United Kingdon, through the provision of educational materials and information media in the industry of architecture and design, to help prepare or assist such persons to gain entry into higher education and the world of work.
This year we worked towards achieving the following key objectives:
1.1 Connect with a young professional working in architecture and design to feature in our ‘demystifying architecture’ media resource series. This professional should come from an underrepresented background in the field of architecture and design.
1.2 Create two new video resources showcasing individuals from underrepresented groups, working in the industry of architecture and design. The videos will be between 5-10 minutes to ensure good engagement from our beneficiary audience of young people aged 11-18 years. Create and publish downloadable resources to support the video.
1.3 Gain financial sponsorship from corporations in the field of architecture and design.
2.1 Create a ‘shorts’ Q&A video series to accompany each video launch. The shorts will be based on questions generated by young people within our intended beneficiary age group of 11-18 to ensure the Q&A series is relevant to them.
2.2 Update the charity website & publish all new media resources online.
- Network with other organizations with existing reach in architecture, design and education, to ensure effective distribution of our media resources to schools and colleges, so that our intended beneficiaries can access our resources & benefit from Found Futures.
3.1 Establish a partnership with a secondary school with a view to delivering a full day workshop to secondary school pupils with an interest in design and/or architecture.
3.2 Partner with a professional architect in the delivery of a full day workshop in a secondary school.
3.3 Partner with an architecture studio to offer work experience for one or more students from our partner school.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO THE NEXT PAGE TO SEE OUR ACTIVITIES.
Activities and Achievement, in relation to Objectives.
This was a busy, exciting year for the charity! We are delighted to share our progress with you.
1.1
- In September 2023 , we released a film featuring architect Shawn Adams , a young professional from an underrepresented background. His insights and experience are central to our aim of demystifying architecture for young audiences.
1.2
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In October 2023 , we produced a film in partnership with RIBA , titled How to Become an Architect , which was released in January 2024 .
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In the same month, we produced another film featuring architect Selasi Setufe MBE , released in March 2024 to celebrate International Women's Day. Both professionals represent underrepresented groups and serve as inspirational figures for our young audience.
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Accompanying downloadable learning resources have been created to support classroom engagement and independent learning alongside these videos.
1.3
- We have successfully engaged architecture studios, including Perkins and Will , to provide in-kind support through work experience placements and studio visits, demonstrating growing industry engagement and laying the groundwork for formal sponsorship conversations.
2.1
- We successfully released an integrated Q&A shorts series, informed by the feedback and queries from students who engaged with the school workshops and video resources. This student's input ensured relevance and relatability.
2.2
- All produced video content, including How to Become an Architect and features with Shawn Adams and Selasi Setufe MBE , has been published on the charity’s website and is available for streaming and download alongside educational resources.
3.0
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In January 2024 , trustee Jason Claxton presented at IKENGA , hosted at the AHMM offices, strengthening our ties with networks engaged in supporting diverse talent in architecture.
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Our media resources were featured during the AHMM late event as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2024 , helping to broaden our reach and awareness among industry professionals and educators.
3.1
- In May 2024 , the charity delivered its first in-school workshop to a group of sixth form students , marking a significant step in direct engagement with our target demographic.
3.2
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The May 2024 school’s workshop was delivered in partnership with a professional architect , Charles Tashima, reinforcing the real-world relevance and value of architectural careers. The project design centered on the theme of Calm Spaces and saw them design an under-utilised space in their school environment.
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In addition to running the workshop with a professional architect, we also arranged for a student currently undertaking their degree in architecture to visit the students to present her portfolio of work. The students engaged extremely well with her visit answering insightful questions throughout. We plan to continue this model as it offered a real bridge between school and University study.
3.3
- In July 2024 , students who attended the school workshop were invited to visit the Perkins and Will architecture studio . They attended enthusiastically, with support from their class teacher and trustee Jason Claxton. The feedback was exceptionally positive.
Subsequently, we smashed our target of providing one work experience placement, with three sixth form students from our partner school completed a full week of work experience at the studio—an outstanding outcome supporting our mission of equitable access to the profession.
Impact Summary
Over the past year, Found Futures has made significant strides in delivering its mission to inspire and equip young people—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—with access to the architecture and design professions. Our impact has been both wide-reaching and deeply meaningful, spanning media production, educational engagement, and industry partnerships.
We launched a series of powerful video resources designed to demystify careers in architecture for young audiences aged 11–18. In addition to producing and releasing our new short films, we established a working relationship with Perkins and Will, who provided studio visits and work experience placements, showing a promising shift toward industry-backed educational outreach and future financial sponsorship. We are proud of our youth-led dialogue and digital accessibility. All resources are now live on our website, freely accessible to young people, educators, and youth organisations across the UK.
We have made good ground in building strategic networks through our trustee Jason Claxton’s willingness to dedicate his time to attending networking events by organisations such as IKENGA and RIBA, helping to expand our professional network and amplify our mission. Having our media content embedded in high profile events such as the London Festival of Architecture 2024, further embeds our work within the broader industry ecosystem.
Perhaps the most significant development is our direct school engagement where we delivered our first full-day, in-school workshop to a group of sixth form students, themed around Calm Spaces, which saw students redesign underused areas of their school. The session was cofacilitated with a professional architect Charles Tashima of Studio Tashima and supported by current architecture student Cheryl Cheah whose university-level portfolio inspired thoughtful discussion and student aspiration. This cross-generational model provided a powerful, tangible bridge between school and the profession.
The same students visited the Perkins and Will studio—an experience met with enthusiasm and excellent feedback. We exceeded our goal for work placements: three sixth form students completed a full week of hands-on experience at the architecture studio, gaining invaluable exposure and mentoring.
Conclusion
This year, Found Futures has demonstrated the power of media, mentorship, and partnership in unlocking opportunities for young people who have historically been excluded from careers in architecture and design. By fostering direct connections between students and professionals, and by elevating diverse role models, we are actively reshaping perceptions and pathways into the built environment industry.
We are proud of our progress and energised to build on this momentum in the year ahead.
Source of Funds
The charity’s principal source of funds was charitable donations from corporations in the architecture and design industry. We would like to extend our thanks to all those who have shown belief in Found Futures through donation of funds.
Financial Review
As the charity has no overheads, we do not require a balance of unrestricted funds.
Accounts
| Accounts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Openingbalance 01/08/2023 | £1672.71 | |
| Income from charitable donations | £4200 | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities:production of media resources | £5650 | |
| Closingbalanceyear 31/07/2023 | £222.71 | |
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is governed by its three trustees who meet to review activities and make decisions on how funds are to be spent. We are pleased to confirm that trustees, when making decisions, have operated with good regard for the public benefit framework.
Trustee selection methods
If any of the charity’s three trustees wishes to step down, prospective trustees are first nominated by existing trustees, which must be given in writing. A meeting whereby the existing trustees are present is carried out with a prospective trustee, to ensure they understand the responsibilities they are taking on and can be relied on to carry them out responsibly. The meeting can take place virtually, for example over a platform such as Zoom, or in person. A decision about the suitability of the appointment should then be made within 48 hours (about 2 working days).
Volunteers
We would like to thank all those who have believed in our aims and objectives and kindly donated their time to make our activities possible this year. Your contribution is paramount to the success of Found Futures.
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Found Futures |
|---|---|
| Registered charity number | 1197789 |
| How is the charity constituted? |
CIO |
| Type of Governing Document | Trust Deed |
| Charity’s principal address | BARROW LLP JACKSON HOUSE |
95A STATION ROAD E4 7BU
Signed by T. Kirkwood, chair of the trustees, on behalf of the trustees. 27/05/2025
Full Name: Tara Kirkwood
Countersigned by trustee and secretary J.Claxton. 27/05/2025
Full name: Jason Claxton