BEMIX C.I.C.
bemix is a Kent-based Charitable Incorporated Organisation supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people through Supported Internships, Life Choices coaching, Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, social enterprises, and self-advocacy programmes, commissioned primarily by Kent County Council and NHS Kent and Medway.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersCanterbury, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What BEMIX C.I.C. does
BEMIX C.I.C. (legally bemix, Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Charity No. 1205783) is a not-for-profit social enterprise headquartered in Canterbury, Kent, supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Founded in 2001 as Skillnet Swale and rebranded to bemix in 2018, the organisation was re-registered as a CIO in November 2023 and operates across four venues in Kent (Canterbury, Sittingbourne, Chatham, Dover) with 11-50 employees.
bemix delivers four core service lines: (1) Supported Internships and Preparation for Employment programmes for 16-24 year olds with Education, Health and Care plans, transitioning participants into paid work at employer sites; (2) Life Choices, one-to-one coaching for autistic people aged 16-60, priced at £23.11 per hour and largely funded by Kent County Council; (3) BrightPath, the consortium-led Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism delivered to NHS and social care staff in Kent and Medway (10,000+ staff trained in 13 months); and (4) social enterprises including Eco Shed (woodwork from reclaimed materials), Audiobox (music production and a physical record/art shop in Dover), and Discovery Catering (pop-up café). A Self Advocacy Leadership programme and the Be A Leader course complete the portfolio.
Revenue is generated through Kent County Council commissioning under the Day Opportunities Framework, NHS Kent and Medway CCG training fees, paid Life Choices coaching sessions (partially or fully publicly funded), social enterprise product sales (no VAT on Eco Shed items), and charitable donations. The GTM is relationship-led, relying on referrals from Kent CC, schools, NHS bodies, and employer networks rather than paid acquisition. The organisation is governed on a co-production basis, with autistic people and people with learning difficulties leading strategy and delivery, and holds Ofsted registration, Skills for Care accreditation, Living Wage Employer and Disability Confident Employer status.
BEMIX C.I.C. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BEMIX C.I.C.
- Legal name
- bemix
- Website
- https://bemix.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- bemix is a Kent-based Charitable Incorporated Organisation supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people through Supported Internships, Life Choices coaching, Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, social enterprises, and self-advocacy programmes, commissioned primarily by Kent County Council and NHS Kent and Medway.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BEMIX C.I.C. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability and Supported Employment Services
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
Keywords
Where BEMIX C.I.C. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Canterbury
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
BEMIX C.I.C. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Kent County Council Commissioning: bemix is contracted by Kent County Council as part of the Day Opportunities Framework, providing group-based support and day services for people with learning disabilities and autism. This is a recurring contracted revenue stream from a public sector commissioning body.
- Social Enterprise Revenue (Reinvestment Model): bemix operates multiple social enterprises (Eco Shed, Audiobox, Discovery Catering) that generate revenue through product sales. Any surplus is reinvested into charitable mission rather than distributed to individuals, consistent with not-for-profit social enterprise principles.
- Life Choices Coaching: Life Choices one-to-one coaching for autistic people aged 16-60 is charged at £23.11 per hour. Most sessions are fully or partially funded by Kent County Council, with some sessions invoiced to clients directly.
- Donations and Appeals: bemix accepts charitable donations through its appeals programme (e.g., 'Being Heard' campaign targeting £2,000). Donations support campaign work and adult groups/enterprises.
- Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training: bemix, as part of the BrightPath partnership, delivers The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism to healthcare, primary care, and social care employees in Kent and Medway. Revenue is generated through training delivery fees, with some sessions funded via LDSS (Learning Disability and Autism) funding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Life Choices one-to-one coaching |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Eco Shed Shop products |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
BEMIX C.I.C. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BEMIX C.I.C. is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation delivering supported employment programmes, one-to-one coaching, and mandatory training for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in Kent, UK. Core services include Supported Internships and Preparation for Employment for 16-24 year olds with EHC plans, Life Choices personalised coaching for autistic adults, and the BrightPath Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training delivered in partnership with NHS/healthcare bodies. The organisation also operates social enterprises (Eco Shed woodwork, Audiobox music/records, Discovery Catering) that generate revenue while providing skills-building opportunities.
Product overview
BEMIX C.I.C. is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation offering a portfolio of interconnected services for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. The core offering consists of employment programmes (Supported Internships and Preparation for Employment) for 16-24 year olds with EHC plans, Life Choices one-to-one coaching for autistic adults, and the BrightPath Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training programme. Complementing these are skill-building groups including Animation, Cooking, Creative Arts, Drama/Performing Arts, Music, Media/Photography, Radio Production, Sports, and Woodwork/Eco Shed. The organisation operates multiple social enterprises including Audiobox (music production and record shop), Discovery Catering (cafe and cooking), and Eco Shed (woodwork), which serve as both revenue-generating businesses and training environments where participants gain real-world work experience. Self-Advocacy Leadership and Be A Leader programmes complete the offering by building personal empowerment and campaign skills. All services operate on a co-production model where people with lived experience are equal partners in decision-making.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BrightPath: A partnership of experienced organisations delivering The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism in Kent and Medway. Led by people who are Autistic and/or have a learning disability, including bemix, Aucademy and The Kent Autistic Trust.
- Life Choices
- Be A Leader
Products and services
- Supported Internships A full-time one-year programme for 16-24 year olds with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans that supports transition from education into employment through structured workplace learning, training, and employer placements.
- Preparation for Employment A full-time one-year programme preparing young people with EHC plans for Supported Internships through Maths/English functional skills, workplace skills development, and 6-8 hours per week of interim work placements.
- Life Choices Personalised one-to-one coaching for autistic people aged 16-60 in Kent, supporting goal achievement around independence, confidence, community access, and personal interests at the individual's own pace, charged at £23.11 per hour.
- BrightPath Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Mandatory training on Learning Disability and Autism delivered through the BrightPath partnership (bemix + Aucademy + Kent Autistic Trust) to healthcare, primary care, and social care staff in Kent and Medway, led by people with lived experience.
- Be A Leader A 12-week leadership course for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, funded by the National Lottery, building confidence, rights awareness, and employment action plans.
- Eco Shed (Woodwork Social Enterprise) A social enterprise woodwork group designing and making objects from reclaimed wood, including wildlife-related items, sold via the Eco Shed Shop (online and physical) and bespoke commissions, with proceeds reinvested into the charitable mission.
- Audiobox Records and Art A co-produced social enterprise selling vinyl records and original artworks online and through a physical store in Dover (Charlton Shopping Centre), run by people with and without learning difficulties and/or autism.
- Discovery Catering Cafe Regular pop-up cafes serving freshly prepared vegetarian and vegan meals, cakes and drinks prepared by adults with and without learning difficulties and/or autism, providing catering skill-building experience.
- Self Advocacy Leadership A programme supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people to speak up and make their voices heard in decisions affecting them, working nationally with Learning Disability England and Inclusion International.
- Venue Hire - Sittingbourne Venue rental service for The Pulse main hall in Sittingbourne, Kent, generating supplementary income to support the charitable mission.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 10,000 health and social care staff trained in 13 months through BrightPath partnership
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use BEMIX C.I.C.
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
BEMIX C.I.C. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
BEMIX C.I.C. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AucademycoreAucademy is a partner in the BrightPath consortium alongside bemix and The Kent Autistic Trust, co-delivering The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism in Kent and Medway. BrightPath is led by people who are Autistic and/or have a learning disability.
- The Kent Autistic TrustcoreThe Kent Autistic Trust partners with bemix and Aucademy in the BrightPath consortium to deliver The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism in Kent and Medway. The partnership is led by autistic people and people with a learning disability.
- Family Business Place (FBP)minorIn 2016-2018, bemix partnered with Family Business Place (experts in branding and communications) to develop its brand identity, conduct market research, and execute a perception study. This partnership led to the rebranding from 'Skillnet Group' to 'bemix' in June 2018.
- SodexocoreSodexo is a key employer partner providing supported internship placements. bemix delivered Disability Awareness Training to Sodexo staff. Supported interns including Tyrone achieved paid employment at Sodexo. Sodexo also partners with bemix through DFN Project Search at the University of Greenwich Medway Campus.
- DFN Project Searchminorbemix partners with DFN Project Search to deliver Supported Internships, providing structured employment-based learning programmes for young people with learning disabilities and autism at employer sites.
- Kent County CouncilcoreKent County Council is the primary public sector commissioner for bemix services, contracting the organisation under the Day Opportunities Framework. The Commissioners for Health and Learning Disability Services at Kent County Council supported the founding of the organisation. Kent County Council funds Life Choices coaching sessions.
- Canterbury Christ Church Universityminorbemix students participated in a hospital simulation at Canterbury Christ Church University, building skills and confidence, and helping to shape inclusive healthcare education for future nurses.
- British Red CrossminorThe British Red Cross (via Babs Dixon) delivered a first aid workshop to supported interns in Canterbury, contributing to the personal development and skills training of bemix programme participants.
- Kent and Medway CCG / NHScoreKent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group partners with bemix through the BrightPath consortium for delivery of mandatory Oliver McGowan training to healthcare staff across the region.
- Inclusion InternationalminorSteve Chapman, Co-Chair of bemix, presented to Inclusion International on the importance of Peer Advocacy in supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autism leaving hospital care to live in the community. This represents bemix's national advocacy reach.
- Learning Disability Englandminorbemix's Self Advocacy Leadership team works with Learning Disability England and other self-advocacy organisations in England to rebuild a united national voice from self-advocates.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BEMIX C.I.C. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mencap: The largest UK learning disability charity, with national employment programmes and advocacy; overlap with bemix's employment support and self-advocacy remit but operating at much greater scale across all of England.
- Sense: UK national disability charity serving people with complex disabilities including learning disabilities and autism, with employment, advocacy and training programmes - same broad service categories as bemix but at significantly larger national scale.
Direct peers
- United Response: UK national charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs, including supported employment and personalisation services directly comparable to bemix's Life Choices and Supported Internship programmes.
- Pluss: UK social enterprise supporting disabled people and those with long-term health conditions into employment across multiple regions - directly comparable employment-readiness and job-coaching remit to bemix's Supported Employment programme.
- Hft (Home Farm Trust): One of the UK's largest charities for people with learning disabilities, delivering supported living, employment support and Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training - a direct service-line and scale comparable to bemix.
- MacIntyre: National UK charity providing learning disability support, including employment pathways and Oliver McGowan Training delivery - comparable multi-service approach to bemix but at national scale.
- DFN Project Search: International supported internship programme for young people with learning disabilities, with which bemix already partners at University of Greenwich Medway. Highly comparable supported-employment model and shared employer pipeline.
- Pure Innovations: North West England-based charity supporting people with learning disabilities and autism into employment through supported internships and coaching - operational model closely parallel to bemix, though regionally distinct.
- The Kent Autistic Trust: BrightPath consortium partner with bemix, providing autism-specific services across Kent including residential, day services and now OMMT training - directly comparable service portfolio and geographic overlap.
- Aucademy: BrightPath consortium partner alongside bemix delivering Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Kent and Medway; shares lived-experience-led autism training delivery model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BEMIX C.I.C. social profiles
Digital presenceBEMIX C.I.C. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
BEMIX C.I.C. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BEMIX C.I.C. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
BEMIX C.I.C. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BEMIX C.I.C. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BEMIX C.I.C.
What does BEMIX C.I.C. do?
BEMIX C.I.C. is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation delivering supported employment programmes, one-to-one coaching, and mandatory training for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in Kent, UK. Core services include Supported Internships and Preparation for Employment for 16-24 year olds with EHC plans, Life Choices personalised coaching for autistic adults, and the BrightPath Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training delivered in partnership with NHS/healthcare bodies. The organisation also operates social enterprises (Eco Shed woodwork, Audiobox music/records, Discovery Catering) that generate revenue while providing skills-building opportunities.
Is BEMIX C.I.C. a public or private company?
BEMIX C.I.C. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was BEMIX C.I.C. founded?
BEMIX C.I.C. was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BEMIX C.I.C. based?
BEMIX C.I.C. is headquartered in Canterbury, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does BEMIX C.I.C. make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Kent County Council Commissioning is the primary driver. The others are social Enterprise Revenue (Reinvestment Model), life Choices Coaching, donations and Appeals and oliver McGowan Mandatory Training.
Who are BEMIX C.I.C.'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mencap and Sense. Direct peers are United Response, Pluss, Hft (Home Farm Trust), MacIntyre, DFN Project Search, Pure Innovations, The Kent Autistic Trust and Aucademy.
Does BEMIX C.I.C. have an API?
No public API is recorded for BEMIX C.I.C..
What industry is BEMIX C.I.C. in?
BEMIX C.I.C.'s product category is Disability and Supported Employment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAJ, Employment & Job Readiness Support Services, with a secondary code of EDAKAKAI, Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention. Its NAICS code is 624310 and its SIC code is 8300.