Off The Record
Off The Record is a Bristol-based registered charity providing free mental health and wellbeing services to young people aged 11-25 across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire through drop-in Hubs and more than 20 specialized programs in arts, sport, nature, and therapy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersBristol, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Off The Record does
Off The Record (OTR) is a UK-registered charity (Charity Number 1085351, Company Number 4150044) that provides free mental health and wellbeing services to young people aged 11-25 across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. Founded in 1994, the organization describes itself as a 'mental health social movement by and for young people,' delivering services through community-based drop-in Hubs and more than 20 specialized programs spanning nature-based therapy (Ardagh Youth Nature Project, Woodcraft Wellbeing and Wilding), creative arts (Creative Space, Art Works, Open Space field recording, WORDCUP 2026), sports and outdoor adventure (Waves for Wellbeing, OTR Sportsworks, Urban Uprising), identity-focused support (Shameless, Project Zazi, Freedom, Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Services), individual therapy (1:1 Therapies, Mind Aid), and resilience-building training (Resilience Lab).
The organization has no proprietary technology platform; service delivery relies on physical hubs, in-person sessions, and a standard website with direct sign-up capability. Distribution is regional and primarily physical, complemented by organic social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube), an email newsletter, and a paid outdoor advertising partnership with Bauer Media Outdoor UK on Bristol bus stop screens.
OTR's business model is that of a non-profit charity: all services to beneficiaries are free, with revenue derived from donations, fundraising campaigns (including a £100,000 30th anniversary appeal in 2024 that raised £73,000), grants, NHS-commissioned services via the Mental Health Support Team (MHST), and Training & Consultancy (Diffusion) delivered to educators, healthcare workers, and voluntary sector staff. The organization employs 101-250 staff across its Bristol headquarters at 8-10 Old Market and a separate North Somerset operational site.
Off The Record firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Off The Record
- Legal name
- Off The Record (Bristol)
- Website
- https://otrbristol.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Off The Record is a Bristol-based registered charity providing free mental health and wellbeing services to young people aged 11-25 across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire through drop-in Hubs and more than 20 specialized programs in arts, sport, nature, and therapy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Off The Record is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bristol
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Off The Record business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: OTR operates as a registered charity relying primarily on donations and fundraising campaigns. In 2024, the organization launched a £100,000 fundraising appeal for its 30th anniversary, having already raised £73,000.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Off The Record product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Off The Record (OTR) is a mental health social movement that provides free, peer-led mental health and wellbeing support to young people aged 11-25 living in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. The organization delivers services through physical drop-in Hubs and a portfolio of specialized programs spanning arts, sport, nature, creative expression, and one-to-one therapeutic support.
Product overview
OTR (Off The Record) is a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-25, operating across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. The organization offers a diverse portfolio of services centered around its core Hubs (drop-in centers) supplemented by specialized programs including nature-based activities (Ardagh Youth Nature Project, Woodcraft Wellbeing and Wilding, Nature Works), creative arts (Creative Space, Art Works, Open Space audio program), sports and outdoor adventure (OTR Sportsworks, Urban Uprising, Waves for Wellbeing), therapeutic support (1:1 Therapies, Resilience Lab, Mind Aid), identity and community support (Shameless, Project Zazi, Freedom, Bristol Hate Crime Services), and professional training (Diffusion). Additional offerings include holiday activities, a book club, exam stress resources, and the NHS Mental Health Support Team collaboration. The organization celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024 with the launch of Connected Roots, a project supporting young black people.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hubs Physical drop-in centers across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire offering accessible mental health support for young people aged 11-25 without appointment or referral.
- 1:1 Therapies Individual therapeutic support providing one-to-one mental health sessions for young people aged 11-25.
- Waves for Wellbeing Water-based wellbeing program providing therapeutic activities through watersports for young people.
- The Ardagh Youth Nature Project Nature-based therapeutic program connecting young people with outdoor environments for mental health support.
- Creative Space Arts and creative expression program supporting mental health through artistic activities for young people.
- Resilience Lab Resilience-building workshops teaching young people techniques to build mental resilience, and offers training for professionals to deliver resilience workshops in their own organizations.
- Training & Consultancy (Diffusion) Professional training program for educators, healthcare workers, youth workers, and voluntary sector staff, including workshops on neurodiversity, CBT tools, and resilience lab delivery.
- Mental Health Support Team (MHST) NHS-collaborative service providing professional mental health support for young people.
- Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Services Specialized support service addressing hate crime and discrimination affecting young people.
- Connected Roots Project supporting young Black people, launched as part of the organization's 30th anniversary celebrations and fundraising appeal.
- Holiday Activities at OTR School holiday program offering relaxed, welcoming sessions for young people aged 11-16 to connect, create, and unwind with activities including creative workshops, free food, and social connection.
- Invite Us In Outreach program bringing OTR services and information to schools, community settings, and other venues.
Companies that use Off The Record
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Off The Record technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Off The Record partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Bauer Media Outdoor UKminorBauer Media Outdoor UK partnership to display OTR marketing materials on bus stop screens across Bristol, increasing visibility of free mental health services for young people in the city.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Off The Record competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Mix: UK charity providing free, confidential support for under-25s across mental health, relationships, and wellbeing. Direct peer given similar target demographic, free multi-channel support model (digital, phone, peer-led), and charity funding structure.
- Place2Be: UK children's mental health charity providing in-school counselling, training, and mental health support for pupils. Comparable as a youth mental health charity combining direct service delivery with school-based commissioning and professional training — overlapping significantly with OTR's NHS MHST collaboration and Diffusion training arm.
- Childline (NSPCC): UK free, confidential helpline and online service for children and young people up to 19, run by NSPCC. Comparable as a free, charity-funded support service for under-19s covering mental health, identity, and safeguarding — overlapping with OTR's drop-in hub model and free-access positioning.
- Anna Freud Centre: UK mental health charity for children and young people delivering clinical services, research, and training. Comparable as a youth mental health charity combining direct therapeutic support with workforce training (similar to OTR's Diffusion) and NHS commissioning relationships.
- YoungMinds: UK's leading charity dedicated to children and young people's mental health. Directly comparable as a youth-focused mental health charity operating across advocacy, services, and parent support, serving a similar 11-25 demographic with free, non-clinical and clinical interventions.
- Stem4: UK charity promoting positive mental health in teenagers through apps, resources, and education. Direct peer serving a similar teen demographic with free digital resources and school-based engagement, operating under comparable charity funding and free-access model.
- Kooth: UK digital mental health platform commissioned by the NHS for young people's wellbeing. Direct peer serving the same 11-25 demographic with free, anonymous support; differentiated by digital-first delivery versus OTR's community-led hubs, but competing for the same NHS-commissioned youth mental health funding pool.
- Papyrus UK: UK charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, providing support, resources, and training for under-35s. Comparable as a youth-focused mental health charity combining direct support (HOPELINEUK) with training and awareness work, operating under similar donation-funded UK charity model.
Broad incumbents
- Mind: UK's largest mental health charity, providing information, services, and advocacy across all age groups. Broad incumbent offering overlapping mental health information and local services (including for young people), but not specializing in OTR's 11-25 youth focus.
- CAMHS (NHS): Statutory NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services providing specialist mental health assessment and treatment for under-18s across the UK. Broad incumbent operating in the same youth mental health space as a publicly-funded alternative; OTR's NHS MHST collaboration and free drop-in hubs directly supplement CAMHS capacity in the Bristol region.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Off The Record social profiles
Digital presenceOff The Record financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Off The Record leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Off The Record funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Off The Record 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 Off The Record
What does Off The Record do?
Off The Record (OTR) is a mental health social movement that provides free, peer-led mental health and wellbeing support to young people aged 11-25 living in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. The organization delivers services through physical drop-in Hubs and a portfolio of specialized programs spanning arts, sport, nature, creative expression, and one-to-one therapeutic support.
Is Off The Record a public or private company?
Off The Record is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Off The Record founded?
Off The Record was founded in 1994. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Off The Record based?
Off The Record is headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Off The Record make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Fundraising.
Who are Off The Record's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Mix, Place2Be, Childline (NSPCC), Anna Freud Centre, YoungMinds, Stem4, Kooth and Papyrus UK. Broad incumbents are Mind and CAMHS (NHS).
Does Off The Record have an API?
No public API is recorded for Off The Record.