Our Story and Mission
Dedicated to transforming how people of all ages understand and manage their finances.
How We Began
Stone-rhythm was founded in 2014 by a group of educators and finance professionals who saw a significant gap in how financial literacy was being taught, or more accurately, not being taught at all. Schools rarely covered practical money management, and most adults learned about finances through trial and error, often making costly mistakes along the way.
We established our first teaching space in central Birmingham with a simple goal: make financial education accessible, practical, and genuinely useful. No jargon-heavy lectures or abstract theories. Instead, we focused on real-world skills that participants could apply immediately to improve their financial situations.
Over the past decade, we have refined our methods based on feedback from thousands of students, ranging from primary school children learning about pocket money to retirees optimising their pension strategies. Each age group and life stage presents unique challenges and opportunities, and our programmes reflect this diversity.
What Drives Our Work
Financial stress affects nearly every aspect of life, from relationships to mental health to career decisions. We believe that much of this stress is preventable through proper education. When people understand how money works, including how to budget, save, invest, and plan for unexpected events, they gain control over their financial futures rather than feeling controlled by circumstances.
This philosophy shapes everything we do. Our courses are designed not simply to transfer information but to build confidence and capability. We want our students to leave feeling equipped to handle whatever financial decisions life brings their way, whether that means negotiating a salary, choosing a mortgage, or explaining to a child why we cannot buy everything we see.
Meet Our Team
Our instructors combine professional finance experience with a passion for teaching. Each brings a unique perspective to our programmes.
William Chen
Director and Lead Instructor
Former investment analyst with 18 years of experience. Specialises in investment education and retirement planning courses.
Sarah Mitchell
Youth Programmes Coordinator
Qualified teacher with a background in child psychology. Develops and delivers our courses for children and teenagers.
David Okonkwo
Adult Education Specialist
Chartered accountant and former debt counsellor. Leads our budgeting and debt management programmes.
Our Teaching Space
Located in the heart of Birmingham, our centre provides a welcoming environment for learning. We have invested in comfortable, well-equipped spaces that encourage interaction and discussion rather than passive listening.
Each classroom accommodates small groups of up to twelve participants, ensuring personalised attention. We provide all necessary materials, and our spaces include refreshment facilities so students can take proper breaks during longer sessions.
For those who prefer to learn from home, we also offer selected courses in an online format with live instruction. These sessions maintain the interactive approach of our in-person teaching through small group video calls and collaborative exercises.
Our Values
Accessibility: Financial education should be available to everyone, regardless of their current knowledge level or financial situation. We offer varied pricing options and never use confusing jargon.
Practicality: Every concept we teach connects directly to real-world application. We focus on skills people can use immediately, not abstract theories.
Respect: Money is a sensitive topic. We create non-judgemental spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences and asking questions.
Integrity: We provide education, not financial advice. We never recommend specific products or receive commissions. Our only interest is our students' success.
Join Our Learning Community
Whether you are looking to build foundational skills or deepen existing knowledge, we have a course designed for you.
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