The Brain Charity

What The Brain Charity does

The Brain Charity is a UK-registered non-profit (charity number 1114999; company limited by guarantee) founded in 1993 and headquartered on Norton Street in Liverpool city centre. It supports individuals affected by any of the more than 600 neurological conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system — a population the charity notes represents roughly 1 in 6 people in the UK. Its core services, all free at the point of use, span practical support (welfare benefits advice, legal advice, employment and employability coaching), emotional support (counselling, neuro-psychotherapy, support groups), and physical/social rehabilitation (Neuro Gym, physiotherapy, Boccia, chair yoga, tai chi, drama group, knit and natter, shared reading via The Reader Organisation), as well as a dedicated children and young people's programme and a free disability-resource library. A distinctive distribution feature is the hospital-in-reach model, with staff physically stationed in eight NHS hospitals across Merseyside and the Wirral (Aintree, Alder Hey, Arrowe Park, Broadgreen, Clatterbridge, Royal Liverpool, Liverpool Women's, and the Walton Centre neurology specialist hospital). Remote delivery is provided UK-wide via phone, video call, and email.

The business model is a hybrid of donations/fundraising and social enterprise trading. Unrestricted and restricted income flows from individual donations, corporate giving (e.g. Malmaison/Hotel du Vin partnership which has cumulatively raised £100,000, Quilter Cheviot £150,000 dementia initiative, Zoopla, AT Superstore, Liverpool County FA, Endura, Leaderful Action 2026 Charity of the Year), payroll giving, legacies and gifts in wills, a weekly lottery with prizes up to £25,000, and one-off appeals (a £31,000+ Christmas appeal and a £35,000 emergency appeal against the National Insurance hike have both been documented). Trading revenue is generated through charity businesses: workplace neurodiversity training (now including a 2024-launched e-learning course and the Neurodiversity Matters Podcast), specialist neuro-psychotherapy for individuals and corporates, accessible room hire, The Brain Food Café, and an online shop selling merchandise such as T-shirts, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards, and dementia-friendly colouring books. The organisation employs 11–50 staff and is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Professor Gus Baker, with Tim Walsh as Deputy Chair; leadership transitioned to CEO Matt Meaney in 2025 following Pippa Sargent and Nanette Mellor.

The technology posture is explicitly non-technical: no proprietary platform, app, API, patent, or trademark is disclosed, and there is no evidence of AI/ML capability. Marketing is multi-channel and content-led, spanning social (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok), newsletters, a blog, a podcast, an ITN Business editorial partnership ('Inside Neurology: Our Unique Brain'), and the Neurodiversity Arts Festival. The Brain Charity does not publish a revenue figure, but disclosed impact metrics include £1M+ raised in a single fundraising year, 200 people improved through 'The Value of You' programme, 100% coaching client confidence uplift, and 1,104 food packs delivered during the COVID-19 lockdown response, alongside recognition via the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, Matrix Standard accreditation, Disability Confident Employer status, and a 2025 Charity Awards shortlisting.

Name

The Brain Charity

Legal name

The Brain Charity

Website

https://thebraincharity.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Brain Charity is a UK non-profit providing free counselling, welfare benefits, legal, hospital-in-reach, and neuro-rehabilitation support to people with any of the more than 600 neurological conditions, their families, and carers, funded by donations and social enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neurological Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Social Assistance (624), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurologic Rehabilitation (Stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s, MS) (HSADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neurological Rehabilitation Therapy In-Home (e.g., Stroke, Parkinson’s) (HSABADAE), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD), Cognitive Stimulation & Reminiscence Therapy (Non-Clinical) (HSABAEAH)

Keywords

• Neurological condition support
• Welfare benefits advice
• Disability counselling services
• Neurodiversity workplace training
• Community rehabilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The charity relies heavily on donations from the public, corporate giving, fundraising events (marathons, challenges, skydives), and appeals. They run a lottery with prizes up to £25,000 a week.
2. Charity Businesses: Social enterprises including neurodiversity training for businesses, specialist neuro-psychotherapy services, accessible room hire, The Brain Food Café, and merchandise shop.
3. Legacies and Gifts in Wills: The charity encourages supporters to leave gifts in their wills.
4. Payroll Giving: Employees can donate directly from their salary through payroll giving schemes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Brain Charity delivers free practical, emotional and social support services for people with neurological conditions and their families, friends and carers. Core services include counselling, welfare benefits and legal advice, neuro-gym rehabilitation, hospital-based advocacy, support groups, and social activities, delivered in person from a Liverpool centre, remotely via phone/video/email across the UK, and through staff stationed in eight Merseyside hospitals. It also operates paid charity businesses including workplace neurodiversity training, accessible room hire, specialist neuro-psychotherapy, a café, and a merchandise shop.

Product overview

The Brain Charity operates as a comprehensive support organization offering a unified platform of practical help, emotional support, and social activities for individuals with neurological conditions. The service portfolio is structured around core charitable services (The Neuro Gym, Counselling, Legal Advice, Welfare Benefits Advice, Hospital Support, Employability Support, Physiotherapy, Support Groups, and Social Activities) complemented by revenue-generating charity businesses (Workplace Neurodiversity Training, Accessible Room Hire, The Brain Food Cafe, Specialist Neuro Psychotherapy, and a Shop selling merchandise and disability aids). Additional educational offerings include a Neurodiversity E-Learning course and the Neurodiversity Matters Podcast. The organization supports individuals from all over the UK via phone, video call, and email, while operating from its Liverpool centre.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Brain Food Café: Café operating from The Brain Charity's centre in Liverpool, serving clients and visitors.
• The Neuro Gym
• Neurodiversity Training
• The Brain Changer Arts Project

Products and services

• The Neuro Gym Specialist neuro-gym providing fitness and rehabilitation services with accessible equipment and adapted exercises for people with neurological conditions.
• Counselling Services Emotional support and mental health counselling for individuals with neurological conditions and their families.
• Legal Advice Service Expert legal advice helping clients navigate disability-related legal matters and rights.
• Welfare Benefits Advice Practical assistance with applying for benefits including PIP and Universal Credit for people with neurological conditions.
• Support for Carers Free support services for carers, friends and family of people with neurological conditions, including advocacy services.
• Children and Young People Services Specialized support for children with neurological conditions including occupational therapy through art and craft, and physiotherapy through dance.
• Hospital-Based Support Staff members stationed in eight hospitals across Merseyside providing support during hospital stays.
• Employability Support Employment team helping people with neurological conditions take steps towards new jobs, education or training.
• Social Activities, Workshops and Classes Regular activities including boccia, chair yoga, tai chi, table tennis, drama group, knit and natter, coffee mornings, and shared reading.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than £1 million raised for the first time through fundraising efforts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ITN BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ITN Business to release 'Inside Neurology: Our Unique Brain' - an editorial programme exploring neurology and neurodiversity.
• ZooplacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to release the first ever home-buying guide for neurodivergent people.
• AT SuperstorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to enhance support for individuals with neurological conditions through accessible products.
• Deer Shed FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Deer Shed Festival to promote neurodiversity awareness.
• Malmaison and Hotel du VincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing corporate partnership raising awareness of neurodiversity. Raised £100,000 for The Brain Charity.
• Liverpool County FAcoreGTM or Marketing Partner2-year partnership with Liverpool County FA to support footballers with neurological conditions.
• EnduraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to create bike helmets using real life head injury scans in the Project HEID initiative.
• The Reader OrganisationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Reader Organisation runs shared reading sessions at The Brain Charity, where trained Reader Leaders read novels and poetry aloud in a supportive environment.
• Leaderful ActionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChosen as Charity of the Year for 2026 by Leaderful Action.
• Scrap Car ComparisonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChosen as featured charity by Scrap Car Comparison for fundraising support.
• Discount Promo CodesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonation campaign through Discount Promo Codes platform.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Parkinson's UK: UK national charity dedicated specifically to Parkinson's disease, offering information, support, and research funding — directly comparable as a neurological-condition-focused charity operating a national advice/helpline and local support network model.
• MS Society: UK national charity supporting people with multiple sclerosis through helplines, local groups, grants, and information — directly comparable as a neurological-condition charity with beneficiary support and fundraising reliance.
• Alzheimer's Society: UK charity for people affected by dementia offering advice, support services, and research funding — comparable in operating model (donations, support services, advice lines) and overlapping beneficiary intersection with The Brain Charity's dementia programming.
• Stroke Association: UK charity supporting stroke survivors through advice, rehabilitation support, and community services — directly comparable as a neuro-condition-specific charity covering rehabilitation, welfare advice, and peer support.
• Headway — the brain injury association: UK charity supporting people affected by brain injury through local groups, helpline, and rehabilitation resources — directly comparable in mission, beneficiary profile, and support-service operating model.
• Different Strokes: UK charity supporting younger stroke survivors with exercise classes and peer support — comparable niche-overlap specialist neurological charity with community/rehabilitation focus.

Broad incumbents

• Mind: UK-wide mental health charity providing advice, support, and counselling services — broadly comparable as a large UK charity offering counselling and welfare advice, though focused on mental rather than neurological conditions.
• Sense (UK disability charity): UK charity supporting people with complex disabilities including deafblindness — overlapping as a disability-advice charity with information/advocacy services and community programs.

Others

• The Neurological Alliance: UK umbrella body representing neurological-condition charities (of which The Brain Charity is already a member) — an industry/ecosystem peer rather than direct service competitor.

Emerging players

• AbilityNet: UK charity providing disability advice and digital accessibility training to employers — overlapping in the workplace neurodiversity/disability training market that The Brain Charity monetises through its social enterprise.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thebraincharity
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/TheBrainCharity
• Facebookfacebook.com/thebraincharity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/9380316
• Instagraminstagram.com/thebraincharity/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@thebraincharity

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Brain Charity