Keep the Dream Alive :

Community Raffle and Funder

| RAFFLE CLOSED |

| RAFFLE CLOSED |

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT TICKETS, DONATED, BOOKED INTO A WORKSHOP AND HELPED SPREAD THE WORD OF OUR FUNDRAISER.

AS OF MONDAY, 12 AUGUST, 419 OF YOU AMAZING DREAMERS HAVE HELPED UP RAISE £11,593!!!

OUR RAFFLE MAYBE CLOSED, BUT WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING DONATIONS PLUS HAVE TWO MORE FUNDRAISING WORKSHOPS YOU CAN BOOK INTO TO SUPPORT OUR CAUSE.

One of the things we hear most from our Community is how much they value us, the improvements we make and the space we have created and kept going. We have been committed to keeping it affordable for you – our customers - whilst honouring our teachers with wages they deserve and so far we have reinvested every penny that has passed through our small business, any small business is a balancing act that can be derailed by unexpected costs.

Today, we face a significant financial challenge that is preventing us from operating at our fullest potential and we are reaching out for your support to help us overcome this obstacle.

In early 2023, we discovered unexpected structural issues causing water ingress, the issue was initially misdiagnosed as class-based condensation by a contractor sent by our building management and therefore unavoidable due to the activities in the space and based on their advice, we undertook costly ongoing repairs, redecoration and installed sophisticated ventilation system, financed by an expensive short term loan. The total bill so far has reached nearly £35k. 

We had hoped to be compensated some of the expenses by our building management as the issue, as we suspected, has now been proven to be totally outside of our control but as of the beginning of July 2024 we have been informed that they will not be offering any financial recompense at all.

As you can imagine, this is a huge blow for us as a small business and the debt has become a barrier, restraining us from making the further improvements and delivering the exceptional experience you deserve.

Our Commitment:

Our dedication to enhancing our space remains steadfast. We have managed to maintain a high level of service despite the challenges, but with your help, we can truly unlock the studio's potential. Clearing this debt will liberate us from the financial strain and allow us to invest in further enhancements that will benefit everyone—upgrading facilities, raising teachers wages to meet inflation and the current cost of living crisis, expanding class offerings and most of all ensuring the studios future financial stability – securing jobs and a place for you to move for years to come.

Our Goal:

We are launching a fundraising raffle with a goal to raise £25,000. This will help us cover some of the costs we have incurred and ensure that our studio can keep classes affordable. Our other option would be to raise membership prices, more in line with our competitors, which we really don't want to do. By participating in our raffle, you will not only have a chance to win some fantastic prizes but also contribute to the survival and thriving of our studio.

How to Support:

  1. Our raffle is closed, but you can still donate BELOW ⬇️

  2. Share our story in your networks 🔗

  3. Book into one of our fundraising workshops!

Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference. We are immensely grateful for your support and belief in the power of our community.

£

Timeline of Events:

  • February 2023: Initial signs of dampness noticed. Contacted the building management.

  • April 2023: Building Management sends a contractor to inspect. Report states this is a condensation and window sealing issue. Minor repairs were conducted, but the problem persisted. Tenants reminded that all repairs are their responsibility and ventilation is advised.

  • May 2023: Dampness persists and mildew and the beginnings of a mould issue is present. Health concerns are on the horizon without immediate action.

  • SUMMER 2023: We maintain a steady protocol of cleaning and temporary fixes to keep the studio operational. Costs begin to mount.

  • November 2023: Waking Dreams takes high-interest loan to afford a ventilation system. (High Cost Loan is our only option as we have not yet filed accounts and had been trading less than a year).

  • December 2023: We take on the responsibility of major repairs to ensure safety and continuation our services. We close during our busiest period of trading in order to replaster/repaint/install ventilation resulting in loss of earnings and a poor-presentation to new members in January - a crucial business time for any fitness institution.

  • January 2024: Though we had followed all of the advice of our building management and their contractor and even with the addition of hi-spec and expensive ventilation we found the problems not only persisting but worsening.

  • February 2024: We reach out to our building management and explain that our initial suspicions must be correct and ask for a new contractor to attend the premises.

  • March 2024: Independent inspection reveals extensive damp damage. Building Management continues to downplay the issue and misadvise on how to tackle this ongoing issue.

  • May 2024: Waking Dreams requests a refund to our misspent money. Building Management appears to entertain this, asks for a collation of invoices. There is an offer to pause Service Charge payments, only for them to be due in entirety once the works are done – which does not represent a useful or sensible option.

  • June 2024: Waking Dreams considers Legal Action – is advised not to pursue as cases of this kind tend to cost more than is recouped.

  • ONGOING to Now: Works are now planned, however, due to the requirement of a section 20 for the residents of Ada street, no works will be undertaken, likely for 3 months.

Breakdown:

  • Mildew Removal : £2,000

  • HVAC Installation: £14,000

  • Income Loss from Studio Closure and Class Cancellations during HVAC Installation: £3,000

  • Installation of New Opening Windows: £2,500

  • Redecorating and Replastering (undertaken during Christmas period): £2,500

  • Ongoing Upkeep and Redecorating (weekly cleaning and repainting): £5,000

  • Daily Dehumidifier Usage : £3,000

  • Replacement of Damaged Equipment: £3,000

Total Estimated Expenses: £35,000

For Context, had the initial inspection been carried out properly the work that is needed would have only cost £5,340 and would have avoided much stress, lost time and misspent funds.

“To fix new 14 inch once weathered coping stones to side wall and to remove trellis and boards to side wall and to render with two coats of render, to clear job of all rubbish on completion of all works.

Cost £4,450. Plus vat £890… Total Cost £5,340.

| RAFFLE PRIZES |

| RAFFLE PRIZES |

Small Print

By participating in the Waking Dreams Studio Raffle, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

  1. Raffle Duration: The raffle will open on Monday, July 15th, 2024, and close on Monday, August 12th, 2024. All entries must be received within this period. Entries received outside of this timeframe will not be considered.

  2. Eligibility: Participants must be at least 18 years old.

  3. Entry: Raffle tickets can be purchased online through our website. Each ticket purchased constitutes one entry into the raffle.

  4. Random Selection: Winners will be selected using a trusted random picker generator to ensure fairness and transparency. The draw will take place on Tuesday 13th August.

  5. Announcement of Winners: Winners will be notified via the contact information provided at the time of ticket purchase. Winners will also be announced on our website and social media channels.

  6. Prizes: Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternatives will be offered, however in cases in which a winner is not available for dates in question or lives outside of london - an alternate prize will be arranged. In the event a prize is unavailable, Waking Dreams Studio reserves the right to substitute the prize with another of equivalent value.

  7. Refunds: All ticket purchases are final and non-refundable. By purchasing a raffle ticket, you agree to these terms and conditions.

  8. Use of Funds: All proceeds from the raffle will go towards covering the costs incurred due to the structural issues and ensuring the ongoing operation and improvement of Waking Dreams Studio.

  9. Disclaimer: Waking Dreams Studio is not responsible for any technical issues or other problems that may result in lost, late, or misdirected entries. We reserve the right to disqualify any entries that do not comply with these terms and conditions.

  10. Privacy: Participant information will be used solely for the purpose of this raffle and will not be shared with any third parties, except as necessary for the administration of the raffle or as required by law.

By participating in this raffle, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

For any questions or concerns, please contact us.