## ZI FOUNDATION **Charity Registration No. 1200400** TRUSTEE’S REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements of Zi Foundation for the year ended 30 September 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements applicable to charitable organisations in England and Wales and the requirements of the Charity’s governing document. ## Objectives and Activities Zi Foundation exists to deliver public benefit through charitable activities aimed at supporting individuals and communities experiencing disadvantage, hardship, social isolation and challenges affecting their mental and emotional wellbeing. The Foundation seeks to strengthen communities by bringing people together, improving access to support and information, promoting mental health awareness, encouraging inclusion and creating opportunities for people from different cultural and social backgrounds to connect with one another. Throughout the year, the Trustees continued to develop Zi Foundation as a community-focused organisation, with particular emphasis on **mental health awareness, community cohesion, cultural inclusion and support for vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community** . The year ended 30 September 2025 was an exciting and important period of development for Zi Foundation. During the year, the Foundation delivered and supported a number of mental health awareness initiatives while also developing its largest community and cultural project to date – the **European Cultural & Heritage Festival** , held in Peterborough in September 2025. ## Mental Health Awareness and Community Wellbeing Mental health remained an important area of the Foundation's charitable work during the year. Zi Foundation organised and supported multiple mental health awareness events designed to encourage open conversations about mental wellbeing, challenge stigma and help individuals understand that seeking support should not be a source of embarrassment or isolation. The Foundation recognises that mental health challenges can affect people regardless of age, background, nationality or financial circumstances. However, language barriers, cultural differences and social isolation can sometimes make it more difficult for individuals to identify appropriate support or feel comfortable discussing their experiences. Our activities therefore sought to create welcoming and inclusive environments where members of the community could engage in conversations about mental wellbeing and become more aware of the importance of early support and intervention. The Trustees remain committed to developing further mental health awareness projects and partnerships, particularly initiatives capable of reaching communities and individuals who may not ordinarily engage with traditional support services. ## European Cultural & Heritage Festival 2025 A major focus of the Foundation's work during the year was the planning, development and delivery of the **European Cultural & Heritage Festival** , which took place in Peterborough in September 2025. The idea behind the Festival developed from a simple but important principle: **our different cultures should bring communities together rather than divide them.** Peterborough is home to people from many different countries, cultures and traditions. The Trustees recognised an opportunity to create a major community event where those cultures could be celebrated together while strengthening relationships between communities and encouraging greater understanding, respect and integration. The Festival was therefore designed not simply as an entertainment event, but as a community cohesion project. It provided an opportunity for people from different European and local communities to showcase their traditional music, dance, clothing, food, customs and cultural heritage while sharing these traditions with the wider community. The event brought together performers, community organisations, volunteers, families, residents and representatives from different cultural backgrounds in one shared celebration. Importantly, the Festival was designed to be welcoming and inclusive. People did not need to belong to a particular nationality or community to participate. The purpose was to provide a space where everyone could learn about one another, celebrate their own heritage and, at the same time, recognise the values and experiences that communities share. ## Impact of the Festival The first European Cultural & Heritage Festival represented an important milestone for Zi Foundation and demonstrated the potential of cultural events to create meaningful community connections. The Festival provided a platform for cultural groups and performers to present traditions that may otherwise receive limited exposure within mainstream community events. It encouraged families and younger generations to engage with their cultural heritage while allowing residents from different backgrounds to experience traditions other than their own. The Trustees believe that projects of this nature can contribute positively to: - stronger community cohesion; - greater understanding between different nationalities and cultures; - reducing social isolation; - encouraging volunteering and community participation; - promoting respect and tolerance; - giving cultural organisations and performers a platform to showcase their heritage; - creating opportunities for children and younger generations to learn about different cultures; - strengthening people's sense of belonging within Peterborough; and - celebrating the diversity of the city in a positive and inclusive environment. The Festival also created new relationships between Zi Foundation and community groups, performers, volunteers, local organisations and supporters. These relationships provide a strong foundation for developing the Festival further in future years. Following the positive response to the inaugural event, the Trustees intend for the European Cultural & Heritage Festival to become an annual project and to continue expanding its reach and community impact. ## Public Benefit The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when planning and delivering the Foundation's activities. Throughout the year, Zi Foundation's projects were developed with the intention of creating accessible opportunities for members of the public to participate in activities which improve wellbeing, strengthen communities and reduce isolation. The Trustees believe that the combination of mental health awareness work and community cohesion initiatives has allowed the Foundation to address both individual and wider community wellbeing. The Foundation will continue to ensure that its activities remain focused on delivering identifiable public benefit and responding to emerging needs within the communities it serves. ## Volunteers, Partnerships and Community Support The Trustees recognise that the Foundation's work would not be possible without the contribution of volunteers, community organisations, supporters, performers and partner organisations. During the year, the Foundation continued to develop relationships with individuals and organisations sharing its commitment to community wellbeing, inclusion and cultural understanding. The Trustees wish to record their appreciation to everyone who contributed their time, expertise, resources or support to Zi Foundation's activities during the year. The success of the Foundation's projects, particularly the European Cultural & Heritage Festival, demonstrated the significant impact that can be achieved when charities, volunteers, communities and local organisations work collaboratively towards a shared objective. ## Plans for Future Periods Following the progress achieved during 2024/25, the Trustees intend to expand the Foundation's activities during the next financial year. The principal areas of development will include the following: ## 1. 1,000 Christmas Presents for Children in Need Zi Foundation intends to launch a major Christmas community project with the objective of providing **1,000 Christmas presents to children in need across Peterborough** . The Trustees recognise that Christmas can place significant financial pressure on families already experiencing hardship. For some children, circumstances outside their control can mean that they receive very little during the festive period. The project will seek to work with community organisations, schools, local partners, businesses, volunteers and other appropriate organisations to identify and reach children and families who would benefit most. The purpose of the initiative will extend beyond the financial value of the gifts themselves. The Trustees want children experiencing difficult circumstances to feel remembered, included and valued by their community. The Foundation will seek donations, sponsorship and community support to maximise the number of children reached while ensuring that resources are distributed responsibly and fairly. ## 2. Continued Mental Health Awareness Projects Mental health and emotional wellbeing will continue to form an important part of Zi Foundation's charitable work. The Foundation intends to organise further mental health awareness events and develop projects aimed at encouraging conversations about mental wellbeing, reducing stigma and improving awareness of available support. Particular consideration will continue to be given to communities where cultural or language barriers may make accessing information or discussing mental health more difficult. Where appropriate, Zi Foundation will seek to work collaboratively with professionals, community organisations and other charities to increase the reach and effectiveness of these activities. ## 3. Second European Cultural & Heritage Festival Following the success and community response to the first European Cultural & Heritage Festival, the Trustees intend to organise the Festival for a **second consecutive year** . The Foundation's ambition is to develop the Festival into an established annual celebration bringing together communities from across Peterborough and beyond. The second Festival will seek to build upon the experience gained during the inaugural event by increasing participation, strengthening partnerships, involving additional cultural communities and creating further opportunities for performers, organisations, volunteers and residents to participate. The underlying purpose will remain unchanged: **to bring people together through culture, heritage and shared community experiences.** The Trustees believe that, as the Festival develops, it has the potential to become an important annual community event which positively promotes Peterborough's cultural diversity while encouraging integration, friendship and mutual understanding. ## 4. Developing Partnerships and Community Engagement During the next financial period, Zi Foundation will continue developing relationships with charities, local authorities, community organisations, educational institutions, businesses and other partners where collaboration can increase the Foundation's charitable impact. The Foundation will also seek to increase opportunities for volunteering and community participation within its projects. The Trustees recognise that sustainable partnerships are essential to increasing the number of beneficiaries the Foundation can support and to ensuring that projects respond effectively to genuine community needs. ## Looking Forward The year ended 30 September 2025 represented an important period of growth for Zi Foundation. The Foundation continued its commitment to mental health awareness while significantly expanding its work in community cohesion and cultural inclusion through the establishment of the European Cultural & Heritage Festival. The Trustees are encouraged by the response to these activities and believe that the Foundation is well positioned to increase its charitable impact during the next financial year. ## Our priorities will remain centred on **supporting vulnerable people, improving mental wellbeing, helping children and families experiencing hardship, celebrating cultural heritage and creating stronger and more connected communities.** The Trustees look forward to building upon the achievements of 2024/25 and continuing to develop Zi Foundation as an inclusive organisation capable of creating meaningful and lasting public benefit. ## Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its income and expenditure for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - maintain appropriate accounting records; - safeguard the assets of the Charity; - take reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities; and - prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue its activities. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable charity legislation and the requirements of the Charity's governing document. **By order of the Trustees** ## Zi Foundation Trustees **Mr Zillur Hussain MBE** **Dr Ivelina Banyalieva** Mr Chavdar Zhelev 111W2020 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Zl Foundallon Recei ts and ments accounts CC16a For tho porlod Irom To 01 Ocl 24 30 Sep 25 Section A Receipts and payments Unroslrlctod funds Rostriclod funds 10 th• noarn•l £ Endowmont funds lo Il* nMrn•l £ Total lunds L•st yoar lo th• nMr••i lo th• n•af••i £ to Mw••i c A1 Rocol 630 rDSS Income AR) 1.030 an nvostrnen A3Pa Bank Cha Consuiiancy Fees oirtf PrOleS￿Onal Feej Subscnptmx Trnvdlirnj ven(￿ Hn ont• Sub total 10,M3 10.663 A4 Auot and Investment Sub total 10,553 10.6SJ Net of reCeIp￿(PaYMents) AS Tran8fern t￿(ween fun(ts A6 Cash funds last yoar end Cash funds thls yw end 9,523 9.523 9,523 9.$23 CCXX R1 accLuts (SS) 11108r2026 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period UnrnstTic¢ed Endowrnènt lund• Cat8gori•s Ootails fund• 1 C••h lund• Total cmh fimds fund¥ fund• Doiall# D•l•ll# 84 Assols rotaln•d lor th• charW¥ own u Dotalls BS U•bllftl•• Dale ol 11W2028 11A)m8 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Indepgndent Examiner's Report Report to the trust￿$1 memb•rn of Zl Foundac On accounts for tho yur ended 30 Septemtef 2025 Charlty no (if any) 1200400 Sat out on page¥ I report to the trustees on my examination of the acrx)unts of the atove chanty 1.the Tntsfi for the year ended Ro8ponsibilitio9 and A5 the clwrity trustees of the Trus( you are responsible for the preparation ba818 of roport of Ihe accounts in a¢cordance wrth the r4uirements ofthe Charities A 20111.lhe Acr). I report in respect of my eXaMina￿n of the Trust'$ accounts caffi6d out under section 145 of the 2011 Act arKI in carying out my examination. I have follo*ed the applL2ble Dir￿IDn5 given by the Charity Commission under xbon 14515)(b) of the ACL I have completed my examination. l ¢onfimi that no material matters hav• come to my attention {other than that disclosed bel¢)w'l in connection with the examination v4hich gives me cause to belEve that in. any material Independent •xaminorfs statomènt ar￿untIng records vRre ￿t kept in accordance wtb. section 130 of the Act or the do not w)rd with the accounting records I have no eC￿eeMS and have come across no other matters in eonnectN)n with the examination to attenth)n should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the ￿)untS to be rexhed. . Please t*te the words in the braGkgts rfthay not apply. Dato: 1710812026 Slgn•d: Nam•: Mazhar Jasani Relèvant prof888lonal qu•lfficatlon(•) or body Irf any): FCA AddroM: 380 Hinton Road Cambridge CB1 8BA IER October 2018 Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, IndeFendent eX￿inat￿)n of charity ac0￿nts.. direction$ and gumlance for examiners). Glve her• brfef dolalls of any Items that tho •xamin•r wl8he8 to di8cIoso. IER Octob•r 2018