- 2024 Annual Report Date: Registered charity no. 1205675
Date: 1 October 2025
Dream Lab Foundation
(England and Wales)
Contents
Unlocking potential. Igniting futures.
Introduction from our Chair of Trustees and CEO
Trustees’ Annual Report 2024
03 05 Annual Accounts Legal and 2024 Administrative Details For the period 10 November 2023 to 31 December 2024 16 22
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A letter from our Chair of Trustees and CEO
We have launched 🔥 ! Dream Lab Foundation was officially registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in November 2023, with 2024 marking our first full financial year. Although we have been running programmes for some time, gaining charitable status represents an exciting new chapter in our journey. 2024: A foundational year This year was all about building a strong foundation – organisationally, strategically, and relationally – so we can scale our impact in the years ahead. In 2024, we strengthened our infrastructure, forged meaningful partnerships, and prepared our flagship programme, Dream Lab®, for large-scale delivery. In 2025, our dreams step into the classroom! Introduction
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Thank you!
We are grateful to our volunteers, supporters, and partners who made this first year possible. Thank you for your commitment and belief – we look forward to the exciting work ahead!
Michael Pluess Karen Pluess
Chair of Trustees & CEO & Co-founder Co-founder
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REAM LAB OUNDATION TrUSts, Annual Rewrt 2024
Who We Are Dream Lab Foundation is an international youth development charity founded in 2023.
Running
programmes since 2020
We nurture, champion, 2020 and enable the dreams Nov 2023 of the global youth Operating in South Africa + UK By using evidence-based tools to equip young people with the skills and confidence to shape their own futures.
Registered charity in England & Wales from Nov 2023
Operating in South Africa + UK
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Charitable Objectives
We help young people discover their strengths, build confidence, and prepare for positive futures through education, personal development, and access to opportunities.
In legal terms:
“To advance the education of young people, and to advance them in life, by developing their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent mature and responsible individuals in particular but not exclusively, through personal development programmes and courses, resources, and advice, and by facilitating access to employment, volunteering and training opportunities.”
Public Benefit Statement
The trustees confirm they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
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In South Africa:
High school dropout rates & disengagement
High youth unemployment > 60%
1/3
of children do not finish school.
Youth (15-24) unemployment is even higher when including those who have given up looking for work. This is especially concerning in the context of Africa’s youth bulge, with more than 60% of the population under 25.
Rising mental health needs
70% Why We Exist of youth (15-24) need mental health support.
Young people – particularly those in underserved communities – face daunting challenges.
These challenges inspired the creation of the Dream Lab® programme >>>
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Our Dream Lab® Programme
Unlocking potential. Igniting futures.
Designed By
Psychologists, educators, & young people Designed For
Young people aged 13-25 Low-resource settings Scalable delivery by teachers & facilitators Format
10 interactive, 1-hour sessions Small-group, youth-led approach
Core Themes
Identifying strengths & passions Turning dreams into goals & action Building resilience through setbacks
And the results speak for themselves >>>
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Evidence & Impact
Grounded in research on future orientation, which is linked to motivation , mental health , resilience , & reduced risky behaviour had a better understanding 96% of their dreams felt better equipped to 100% pursue their dreams rated the course 4/5 or 5/5 96% overall
See dreamlabfoundation.org/research for the science behind Dream Lab®
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2024 : A Year of Preparation
In our first full year, we focused on building strong foundations, achieving key early milestones in:
Organisational Development
-
Building Relationships
Programme Development
Established key operational infrastructure: banking, tax registration, safeguarding and other core policies.
Launched the charity’s website. Onboarded initial volunteers. Defined roles and working practices for the founding team.
Networked with prospective partners including schools, universities, charities, and government bodies. Explored collaborations in the UK, South Africa, and beyond. Initiated discussions with SA’s Department of Basic Education to plan a 2025 schools pilot.
Prepared the Dream Lab® programme for secondary school learners aged 13-18. Reviewed research from previous pilots and integrated learnings into programme design.
Prepared training and evaluation frameworks for the 2025 rollout.
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Looking Ahead to 2025
Capacity Building & Pilot in Schools
Train teachers from 3 schools in South Johannesburg and SA Department of Basic Education representatives. Pilot the Dream Lab® programme with 1,000 learners aged 13-18.
Evidence & Partnerships
Collect robust evaluation data with academic partners to inform future rollout and funding. Expand strategic partnerships in South Africa, the UK, and beyond.
Early Funders & Engagement
Strengthen our engagement to communicate our mission and impact.
Explore a Vision Fund to fuel growth and attract mission-driven early funders.
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- Financial Review & Governance
Financial Review
Income: £2.9k (primarily from individual donations) Expenditure: £1.2k (minimal, focused on organisational set-up, networking, and programme and partnership development) Closing balance: £1.7k (cash in bank, unrestricted funds) Reserves policy: As the charity is in its early stages, reserves are currently minimal. The trustees aim to build reserves sufficient to cover at least three months’ core operating costs. Other notes: Funds secured (contract and funds pending) to deliver the Dream Lab® programme in South Africa in 2025, reaching 1,000 learners.
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Risk Management
The trustees have identified the key risks facing the charity, including: Financial sustainability in the early years, Reliance on a small volunteer base, Operational risks of international delivery. Mitigation measures include diversifying income sources, expanding our volunteer network, and working with trusted local partners, including academic institutions and state bodies. We also operate on a projectby-project basis, allowing us to manage risk carefully and scale activity in line with available resources.
Structure, Governance & Management
Dream Lab Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission in November 2023. The charity is governed by its constitution, which sets out its objects and trustee appointment procedures. Trustees are recruited for their skills and experience relevant to the charity’s mission, with induction covering constitution, policies, and strategy. Day-to-day operations are managed by the founding team under trustee oversight. As we grow, we plan to expand the board with diverse expertise, including representation from countries where we operate.
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Trustees’ responsibilities
Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and UK accounting standards. They must ensure proper records are kept and that the accounts give a true and fair view of the charity’s affairs. The Trustee’s report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 1 October 2025, and signed on its behalf by:
Michael Pluess Charlene Chen Chair of Trustees Trustee (Treasurer) 1 October 2025 1 October 2025
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Annual Accounts 2024 For the period 10 November 2023 to 31 December 2024
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Receipts and payments account
For the period 10 November 2023 to 31 December 2024
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Unrestricted Restricted
Total funds
Receipts funds funds
£
£ £
-
Donations 1,833.24 1,833.24
-
Other income 1,055.11 1,055.11
-
Total receipts 2,888.35 2,888.35
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Receipts and payments account (continued) For the period 10 November 2023 to 31 December 2024
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Unrestricted Restricted
Total funds
Payments funds funds
£
£ £
-
Charitable activities 595.88 595.88
-
Raising funds 518.80 518.80
-
Governance costs 98.21 98.21
-
Total payments 1,212.89 1,212.89
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Receipts and payments account (continued)
For the period 10 November 2023 to 31 December 2024
Unrestricted Restricted
Total funds
Net of receipts/(payments) funds funds
£
£ £
-
Net of receipts/(payments) 1,675.46 1,675.46 surplus
Total funds
Net movement in funds
£
Cash funds at start of period (10 November 2023) 0.00
Cash funds at end of period (31 December 2024) 1,675.46
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Statement of assets and liabilities As at 31 December 2024
Assets £ Liabilities £ - Cash at bank 1,675.46 Total liabilities Total assets 1,675.46
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Notes to the accounts
1. Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis, in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) for small charities, as permitted for charities with gross income under £250,000. As this was the first accounting period, no prior year comparatives are provided.
2. Nature of funds
All funds at 31 December 2024 are unrestricted and available to be used at the trustees’ discretion to further the charity’s objects.
3. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses
No trustee received remuneration or expenses during the period.
4. Related party transactions There were no related party transactions in the period.
As the charity’s gross income is under £25,000, no independent examination or audit is required. One can be undertaken post-publication or upon request if required by funders or partners. Approved by the trustees on 1 October 2025.
Michael Pluess Charlene Chen Chair of Trustees Trustee (Treasurer)
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Charity name: Dream Lab Foundation Charity registration number: 1205675
Registered address: Flat 17 Bovet Court, 164 Harford Street, London E1 4GE, UK
Board of trustees:
Legal & Administrative Details
Michael Pluess (Chair, appointed 10 November 2023) Charlene Chen (Treasurer, appointed 10 November 2023) Hannah Elwyn (Safeguarding Lead, appointed 10 November 2023) Tobias Fluck (appointed 10 November 2023) Katherine Tait (appointed 10 November 2023)
Management: Karen Pluess (CEO & Co-founder) Principal bankers: Barclays Bank
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Thank You
Thank you for reviewing our 2024 journey. CONTACT US hello@dreamlabfoundation.org www.dreamlabfoundation.org
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