We support people of all ages
in the Highlands develop
confidence, friendship and
skills through music and more
Academy
TRUSTEES REPORT 2024-25
Trustee
Rokzkool Academy (SCIO)
SC049455
www.rokzkoolacademy.org
WHO WE
HELP
Young people
and families in
the Highlands
WHATWE
DO
Building
confidence &
life skills
HOW
Workshops,
holiday clubs
& community
projects
WHERE
Various locations
across the Highlands
and Studio 58,
Eastgate Centre,
We are a charity based in the Scottish Highlands with big ambitions to help
everyone achieve their potential in life, whatever their circumstances or
challenges. We aim to bring together all generations and all abilities to share their
skills and life experiences.
Through a range of workshops, events, training programmes and community work,
we strive to give everyone the motivation. enthusiasm and dedication to follow a
path to their goals with a sense of pride and purpose.
Whilst music is at the heart of what we do, we adopt a holistic approach
encompassing teamwork, communication, adaptability and leadership- skills
crucial not only in creating beautiful melodies but also in navigating the intricate
symphony of life.

OVERVIEW
At RokzkoolAcademy, we create friendly, sociable classeswhere people can
find a place to relax. be creative and discover new passions and skills. We run
from Studio 58, a creative space in the middle of a shopping centre in Inverness
where we run the majority of our classes and a cozy community space in a
deprived area of town where we run community events.
Creativity is at the heart of everything we do but we are much more than music
and art. We offer volunteering opportunities, leadership skills, training and
qualifications but most of all we offer a space where people feel they belong
and are welcome to be themselves.
We use a holistic approach where we look at the strengths and challenges of
the people we are working with. We provide support, mentoring and signposting
to other services so we can help them live up to their potential.
Our students are focused on developing their skillset, but we go beyond that.
Our programmes are designed to build self-esteem, resilience, social skills, and
independence while promoting respect. We aim to provide a platform for our
students to excel not only on stage but also in their professional, personal, and
social lives.
Classes- art, music, make and build,
keyboards, guitar and more
Free drop-ins- familyjam time, teen
studio hangouts, adult social club
Group/school bookings- working with
local schools. charities e.g. Connecting
Carers, social work referrals and local
community groups
Rokzkool Young Leaders- a leadership
programme forteens to take the lead and
pilot ideas within the charity
Training & Volunteering- opportunities for
volunteers to become involved in and
lead projects within the charity and work
as mentorsforthose who need support
Employability- supportingyoung people
to complete training and gain
qualifications

OUR CORE VALUES
• We believe in the transformative power of music, art, and
creativity to empower individuals to take control of their
mental and physical well-being.
l. Empowerment:
2. Inclusivity:
We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive community
that celebrates diversity and promotes equality for all
individuals, regardless of background or ability.
We are committed to exploring new and innovative ways
to use music, art, and creativity as tools for promoting
health and well-being.
3. Innovation:
4. Collaboration:
• We value collaboration and partnership with individuals,
organizations, and communities to maximize the impact
of our programs and initiatives.
We uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical
conduct in all aspects of our work, ensuring transparenoi
and accountability to our stakeholders.
5. Integrity:
We approach our work with compassion and empathy,
recognizing the inherent value and dignity of every
individual we serve.
6. Compassion:
We strive for excellence in all that we do, continually seeking
to improve our programs and services to better meet the
needs of those we serve.
7. Improvement:
We are committed to sustainability, both in terms of our
impact on the environment and our ability to support the
long-term health and well-beinE of individuals and
communities.
8. Sustainability:
We believe in the power of music, art, and creativity to
foster resilience and strength in the face of adversity. helping
individuals to overcome challenges and thrive.
9. Resilience:
• We celebrate the inherent joy and beauty that music, art,
and creativity bring to our lives, and seek to share that joy
with others to enrich their lives.
10. Fun:

OUR FREE DROP~IN SESSIONS
Family Jam- Saturday 3- 5
Every Saturday, we open the studio for a free drop-in session where families can come
into the studio and have fun together. We have a variety of instruments, arts & crafts
activities, family board games, building materials and Lego available.
We have held these sessions every week this year and have many families who visit
regularly. Within these sessions, we are able to signpost other local services available
for families and young people where appropriate.
On average we have around 80 visitors each week to these sessions.
Studio Social Adult Drop-in- Tuesday 1- 3
This is an open studio session for any adults who want to pop in and hang out at the
studio. They can play on the instruments, have a go with the art materials or just
have a cuppa and a chat. The jukebox is full of the old classics and the kettle is always
on ! This is a social opportunity for adults who are looking for something to do and a
chance to try something new.
There is usually on average 15 people who attend the sessions each week.
Studio Hangout Teen Drop-ln - Friday 1- 3
As the local secondary schools finish at 12 on a Friday, we have a drop-in session for
any teens who are looking for something to do. They are welcome to come hang out
in the studio, use the art materials and play on any instruments.
This is a great opportunity to engage with this age group and many then become
involved in our other projects such as Young Leaders or become Rokzkool student
volunteers.
These sessions are attended by on average 40 young people every week.
Impact across 50 sessions a year
(based on averages)
Family Jam= 50 x 80= 4000
Studio Social 50 x 15 - 750
Teen Drop-ln - 50 x 40- 2000
tal 6750 free fun filled sessions!

OUR CLASSES
KidzRok Music Classes
This is a kids club which is all about being creative and having fun with music and
instruments. These classes are for primary age children and run on a Tuesday after
school and on Saturday afternoons. It is a relaxed class where the children
experience a wide variety of different instruments and explore songs, percussion,
rhythms and more as they learn how to be creative and confident.
Art Classes
Our art classes are where kids can explore a range of different media, techniques
and styles as they create their own art works. This is a child-led class where they
are free to explore their creativity and own inspiration in a supported environment.
This is for primary age children and run every Saturday morning.
Keyboard Classes
These classes give children an introduction to the basics of playing the keyboards.
This is a group class where they learn together and can gain the basic skills they
need to play some introductory tunes.
These are weekly classes for 8- 12 year olds every Thursday.
Studio Jam
This is a session for young people (secondary age) who already play an
instrument. They get the chance to jam with others in the studio. There are
volunteer musicians to help support them and as they learn from and teach each
other. This a relaxed space where they can socialise, geek out about music, meet
new people and make some noise!
This is on every Tuesday night from 6- 7pm.
Adult Rock Group
Our adult rock club is for anyone who always thought they'd make a great rock star
but life got in the way! This is for adult beginners who want to learn the basics of
playing an instrument in a fun social setting.
This is a two-hour session every Wednesday evening.
Our classes run for 5-week
blocks so we can ensure
continuity and a progression
of skills across several
weeks.
We charge £50 for each block however we offer
free and subsidised places for those who need
it. We can cover these costs through public
donations, our fundraising events and charity
grants.

OTHER SERVICES
Holiday Clubs and Workshops
We run holiday clubs from Phipps Hall in Beauly during the school holidays where we
have a mixture of music, art, sports and outdoor activities. We go on day trips to local
spaces such as beaches, fruit picking and Fairburn outdoor activity centre.
In studio 58, we have a mixture of creative workshops where the children can make
music, paint and create, play games and explore creative building toys.
We run through the holidays and inservice days throughout the year in the Easter,
Summer and October holidays.
Rokzkool Leaders
Our senior students were invited to be part of our trial for our'Rokzkool Leaders,
programme. The focus of this was to develop the leadership skills and for them to
take the lead of aspects of running the charity. So far they have been a huge help
with running the classes, supporting our drop-in sessions and helping to develop
resources for our instrument library.
Individual & Group Referrals
We have been collaborating with local schools, agencies and social work to develop
individualised programmes of support for their learners and clients. This have
included young adults who need to build their confidence, teens with additional
support needs and adults who are looking for opportunities to learn new skills.
Each programme is developed with the learners so they can personalise their aims
and outcomes.
Event Workshops
Rokzkool Academy are often asked to support local events by providing music
workshops and activities. This is supported by our team of volunteers and our teen
students who lead activities. We have provided this at many local events such as
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival and further afield such as the Action Duchenne's
International Conference.
Instrument Library
Throughout the years, Rokzkool has always informally loaned out and rehomed
instruments wherever possible to give young people the opportunity to learn to play.
We are now creating an official Rokzkool Library where families can borrow from a
catalogue of instruments and take it home for a month at a time. If it is a success,
they can request to book it out for longer or return it and swap for something else if
they wish. As we are restoring existing instruments, buying second hand and
receiving donations, we see the environmental impact this will have by keeping
instruments in use for longer and saving many from being discarded.

OUR LAST YEAR
In the last year. we have:
Sold almost 500 tickets to our classes for young people which focus
on creativity and build new skills, develop confidence and create a
safe and welcoming environment to grow and thrive
Held over 50'Family Jam. free open sessions for families to come in
and play together in our studio and experiment with our wide range of
instruments alongside arts and crafts and family based games and
building challenges.
o Had over 40 open studio sessions for adults to come together in our
studio to play our instruments, listen to music and just relax and
socialise in a free, comfortable setting.
Supported local events such as free workshops in shopping centres,
marshal stands at local marathons, guardship and safety support at
Belladrum music festival, run activities at the Action Duchenne's
International Conference, supporting local charity events such as
Breakfast with Santa.
Welcomed visitors from around the world into the studio. Over 20
countries have been pinned on our visitor's board.
Run over 150 activities during holiday clubs attended by children
taking part in music, art and sports activities over 12 weeks throughout
the year.

OUR BOARD
Our board of trustees has grown this year so a warm welcome to our new fabulous
team. We have a wide diverse skill set between us and we are looking forward to the
opportunities of the next year.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
We helped marshal the Etape Loch Ness event and we cheered
on our Volunteer￿ who took part to raise funds for
Rokzkool Academy.
Our students had the fantastic opportunity to help Neon Waltz
set-up for their gig at Upstairs Inverness. It was a great behind
the scenes experience for them to see the preparation which
APRIL 24
We welcomed lots of groups and schools in for workshops this
month, including Connecting Carers who joined us for an evening
workshop of music and art and the Buzz Project who brought their
students down to visit.
We were gifted a family pass for the Belladrum Festival so we held
a fundraising raffle.
Eastgate Centre had a busy month and we helped to support their
bear trail and held a workshop during the Vintage Car event.
MAY 24

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
JUNE 24
The Friday teen drop-in sessions are building in popularity and
we have regular visitors from all the local secondary schools.
We had several school visits this month including classes from
Cawdor Primary.
Rokzkool was selected as one of the charities supported by a 24-
hour golf-a-thon at Inverness Crazy Golf.
Our fantastic students won the YPI award for Rokzkool Academ
The summer holidays are here so Holiday Rokz is back at Phipps
Hall for musical fun, sports, art and lots of outdoor fun.
We rocked the tent at Belladrum Festival this year! A fabulous
experience for all our volunteers, students and visitors. We had
the Rokzkool tent and also assisted with the ambassador role
ensurin
a safe environment for families.
JULY 24

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
AUG 24
Summer Holiday Roks continues! We had workshops in the
studio and more fun in the Phipps Hall and beyond!
We supported the Inverness Street event by providing an open
studio with music and art activities.
and his fabulous mum won the 'Blue Lights Got Talent,
competition in aide of Rokzkool.
Our fantastic Rokzkool volunteers helped to marshal the Loch
Ness Marathon and manned a water station for the runners.
SEPT 24

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
OCT 24
We took part in the Halloween trail in the Eastgate Centre and
decorated a glass cabinet with our spooky mannequin.
Creative Clubs took place over the October holidays where kids
could explore art, music, games and building challenges.
St Stephen's Church held a fundraising Harvest afternoon.
Joined the Operation Respect taskforce team to help with
support for young people during the festive period.
Featured in the Inverness Courier in a Q&A feature.
Attended the BID Inverness Awards at the Drumossie Hotel as
finalists in the Creative & Culture Business category.
We provided musical workshops and performances at the Action
Duchenne International Conference in Hinckley.
Welcomed DYW Young Ambassadors to the studio for a day of
learning and fun.
NOV 24

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
DEC 24
Christmas was busy as we welcomed lots of new faces to our
drop-ins thanks to the increased footfall in the Eastgate Centre.
Zoe, our incredibly talented volunteer, created a stunning image
for our Rokzkool Christmas cards and our students helped to
produce a range of merch using images from our mural with
inspirational quotes by musicians.
We Welcomed￿ and Twose radio to broadcast an
episode of their show from the studio.
Another busy block of classes this month including Kidzrok, art
classes and studio jam sessions alongside all our regular drop-in
sessions for families, teens and adults.
We welcomed Brora Youth Group to Studio 58 for a creative
workshop and pizza party and continue to build our relationships
with a network of local groups who support youths.
This month saw the relaunch of activities at Merkinch Hall at
Simpsons Lane, run by our incredible Tesco Community
Champion,
and our amazing team of volunteers
from the Rokzkool family. This includes a craft club, gardening,
prize bingo, day trips and outings and coffee afternoons.
Designed so locals can pop in for a chat in a supportive, friendly
environment creating a perfect place to connect and combat
loneliness.
JAN 25

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
FEB 25
New block of classes launched including a new keyboard class led
by our amazing volunteer
Rokzkool Academy attended the 'speed dating, style event at
Culloden Academy where students could learn more about the
services we offer.
We had holiday workshops running in Studio 58 for the February
long weekend.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle invited us along to play for their
guests at their 30th anniversary celebrations at the Kingsmills
Hotel.
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Our volunteer team helped by marshalling the Inverness Half
Marathon.
Groups of our students were invited along to a match at
Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC
or
MAR 25
STUDIO
HANGOUT
FREE TEEN DROP-IN
5.30 - 7.00pm
Frlday & Saturday

PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATIONS
This year we have continued to reach out to and collaborate with agencies, groups
and other charities to ensure we provide support to those who need it.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT
CHARITY INCOME
TYPE
Classes
Donations
Grant
Sum of Credlt Amount
6 April 24 to 5 April 25
£25,139.87
This year we were grateful
to have had financial
£7,420.58
support f rom several
£52,557.00
sources including
£800.00 fundraising, partnerships,
£85,917.45 grants and donations.
Hall
TOTAL
EXPENSES AND DEDUCTIONS
TYPE
FaciLitatorlVolunteer Expenses
Events
Project Expenses
Utilities
Tech & Subscriptions
Transport & Travel
Website & Promotional
TOTAL
Sum ofoutgolng
£47,780.49
£2,793.17
£15,591.68
£4,407.58
£880.66
£7,979.79
£2,692.68
£82,126.05
INCOME- OUTGOINGS
£3.791.40
Academy

PLANS FOR 25-26
STUDIO 58
This new location has enabled us to raise the profile of the charity as we
have a prominent location with a lot of footfall. We want to continue to
build the range of classes we offer and develop our community drop-ins.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
We will continue to work with other agencies, charities and local
organisations to ensure we are best serving the community and
increasing our reach.
DEVELOPING OUR STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Our senior students will be involved in the development and running of
Studio 58 and we want to empower them to take the lead and help
shape the programmes and classes we offer.
EXTENDING OUR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
We want to extend the community projects we offer including
mentoring, skills-sharing and volunteering opportunities.
EMPLOYABILITY SERVICES
We are developing a programme of employability classes to ensure that
local people can be supported to find, apply and keep a job to improve
their lives. We will utilise the skills and expertise of our team and also
link with local businesses to create opportunities for growth.
SUPPORTING FAMILIES
We will be launching services to support families who are having
financial challenges including free spaces in classes, our instrument
library, snack packs in the school holidays and our care cupboard for
free hygiene essentials.

Academy
ROKZKOOL OVERVIEW 24-25
INCOME
TYPE
Classes
Donations
Grant
Hall
TOTAL
Sum of Credit Amounl
£25.139.87
£7,420.58
£52,557.00
£800.00
29
61
£84917.45
OUTGOINGS
TYPE
Facilitatorlvolunteer Expenses
Events
Project Expenses
Utilities
Tech & Subscriptions
Transport & Travel
Website & Promotional
TOTAL
Sum of outgolng
£47.780.49
£2,793.17
£15,591.68
£4,407.58
£880.66
£7.979.79
£2.692.68
58
19
io
INCOME- OUTGOINGS
79L40
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