What Response does

Response is a registered charity (no. 1101071) and company limited by guarantee (no. 4781936) headquartered in Littlemore, Oxford, delivering mental health support and supported housing services across the Thames Valley counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire. Founded from initiatives at Littlemore Hospital in the early 1960s, formally constituted as Oxford Group Homes in 1966 and rebranded to Response in 2003, the organisation supports over 500 adults and young people at any given time through a portfolio spanning 24/7 staffed residences, visiting support, independent flats, homelessness prevention, youth wellbeing hubs, CAMHS-linked early intervention, and a care leavers programme. Service delivery is unified by the Response Recovery Model (Achieving Change - Making Every Contact Count), drawing from CBT, motivational interviewing and trauma-informed practice, with outcomes including a 90% planned positive move-on rate and a 2% hospital readmission rate at Scrutton Close.

Revenue is generated through two principal streams: commissioned service contracts with public sector bodies (Oxfordshire County Council, Buckinghamshire Council, West Berkshire Council, plus Oxford Health and Berkshire Health NHS Foundation Trusts) and charitable income from individual donations, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, and grants from trusts and foundations (including Greenham Trust and the G W Bartington Will Trust). Services are free at the point of use, with no consumer fees; the GTM motion is community-led, driven by referrals from NHS trusts, social services, schools, CAMHS pathways, and self-referrals. The operating model is partnership-intensive: Response is a founding member of the six-organisation Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership and sits within a 30+ partner ecosystem spanning NHS trusts, county and district councils, housing associations, social investors, and specialist charities. Technology is standard charity-sector infrastructure (Microsoft Azure hosting, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, CRM for supporter management) with no proprietary platform or AI/ML capability in evidence.

The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Lucy Weston (appointed July 2025) and led by CEO Nicola Leavesley. It holds CQC registration (with a 'Good' rating at Iris Hayter House, April 2021), NHS Digital Data Security and Protection Toolkit 'Standards Met', Fundraising Regulator registration, and was the first third-sector employer in the region to achieve Excellence Centre Accreditation of the Care Certificate. Headcount is reported in the 251-500 range; no audited revenue or income figure is publicly disclosed in the available source data.

Name

Response

Legal name

Response Organisation

Website

https://response.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Response is a UK-registered mental health and housing charity operating across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, delivering supported accommodation, youth wellbeing hubs, and CAMHS-linked early intervention services to over 500 adults and young people through public sector contracts and charitable donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health and Supported Housing Services

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Behavioral Health–Capable Assisted Living (Mental Health/SUD Support) (HLADABAI)

Keywords

• Mental health support
• Supported housing services
• Mental health charity
• Youth wellbeing services
• Community mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Littlemore

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government and NHS Commissioning: Response receives funding through contracts with local authorities (Oxfordshire County Council, Buckinghamshire Council, West Berkshire Council) and NHS trusts (Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Berkshire Health NHS Foundation Trust) to deliver mental health support and housing services. Services include supported accommodation, youth mental health services, and community-based interventions commissioned under public health and social care contracts.
2. Charitable Donations and Fundraising: The charity generates income through individual donations, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, and grant applications from trusts and foundations (such as Greenham Trust matching donations and G W Bartington Will Trust). Legacy giving and gifts in wills are also mentioned as fundraising channels.
3. Fundraising Regulator Registration: Registered with the Fundraising Regulator, demonstrating commitment to best practice in charitable fundraising.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Response is a registered mental health and housing charity that delivers supported accommodation and mental health support services across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire. Its core offering combines specialist supported housing (ranging from 24-hour staffed residences to independent flats) with recovery-focused mental health interventions for adults, young people aged 11+, and older adults, delivered through contracts with local authorities and NHS trusts and underpinned by a trauma-informed Response Recovery Model.

Product overview

Response is a mental health and housing charity operating across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire. Its core offering is a coordinated portfolio of supported housing and mental health support services structured around two main pillars: supported housing for adults (offering 24/7 staffed residences, visiting support, and independent flats) and supported housing for young people (including the Thatcham Wellbeing Hub, YPSA, and CAMHS-linked services). The portfolio is unified by the Response Recovery Model, an Achieving Change – Making Every Contact Count (MECC) framework drawing from CBT, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed practice. Core services include Carramar (24-hour supported accommodation in Thatcham), the Scrutton Close activity hub, Settled Oxfordshire homelessness prevention, Reframe for care leavers, CAMHS Social Prescriber services, and an Expert by Experience training programme. The charity also provides online mental health resources and co-production mechanisms including an Advisory Board.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Supported Housing for Adults Specialist supported accommodation for adults with mental health needs and multiple disadvantage across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire, ranging from 24-hour staffed residences to independent flats, providing a safe home-like environment for recovery.
• Supported Housing and Wellbeing Services for Young People

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of supported individuals move on in a planned, positive way
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 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

Integration6 records

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oxfordshire Mental Health PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership bringing together Connection Support, Elmore Community Services, Oxfordshire Mind, Oxford Health NHS Trust Foundation, Response, and Restore. Creates cohesive approach to mental health for people of Oxfordshire offering wide range of interventions from inpatient hospital care to community mental health and third-sector services. Gemma Jewell chairs HR group, Emma Murphy chairs communications group within partnership.
• Oxfordshire MindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health charity partnership formed in 2010. Enhanced support for people with mental health problems, ensuring they receive best support when and where needed. Also partnered on Mental Wealth Academy (2020) and Settled Oxfordshire service.
• Oxford Health NHS Trust FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS trust providing mental health services. Major commissioning partner for Response services including CAMHS, Carramar development, and Children and Young People's Mental Health partnership (2019).
• Oxfordshire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority commissioning Young People's Supported Accommodation (YPSA) service in partnership with district councils. Supports approximately 200 young people aged 16-24 with accommodation and independent living skills.
• Oxfordshire YouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organisation partnership delivering YPSA service with Oxfordshire County Council and Response. Also part of Mental Wealth Academy (2020).
• Connection SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership providing community support services.
• Elmore Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership providing community services.
• RestorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership providing mental health support services.
• Berkshire Health NHS Foundation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS trust for Berkshire region. Partnered on Carramar development in Thatcham (2018) and CAMHS Tier 4 Social Prescriber service across Berkshire West, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire (2022).
• CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Supportive Steps team, part of Oxfordshire's CAMHS, providing early support to families and young people on waiting lists for mental health support. Also CAMHS Tier 4 Social Prescriber service and Getting Help/Getting More Help teams.
• Oxford City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Settled Oxfordshire service (2022) taking 47 people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, placing them in flats or shared houses. Also part of housing partnerships.
• ResonancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial impact investor partnered on Settled Oxfordshire service with Oxford City Council and Response for homeless prevention housing.
• A2DominionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing association partner for collaborative housing and person-centred support delivery.
• Advance HousingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing association partner for supported housing services.
• AspireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Ben (service user) with education, employment and training (EET) skills development.
• Asylum WelcomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganisation providing support to asylum seekers and refugees, partnered for housing and support services.
• Bromford HousingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing association partner for collaborative housing services.
• City of Oxford CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFurther education college partnership supporting residents' education and skills development.
• Cherwell District CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistrict council partnership for housing and homelessness services.
• Department for Work and PensionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDWP partnership supporting residents with employment and benefits.
• One-EightyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth mental health organisation partnership for service delivery.
• Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary ActionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCSA partnership supporting voluntary sector collaboration.
• SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing and care provider partnership.
• South Oxfordshire District CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistrict council partnership for housing services.
• SOFEAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting young people including Maxi's story involving envisioning future without fear and anxiety.
• SOHA HousingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing association partnership.
• Thames Valley Integrated Care BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS ICB partnership for integrated health and care services.
• Thatcham Town CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal council partnership for Thatcham Wellbeing Hub development.
• Turning PointminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial care and mental health organisation partnership.
• Vale of White Horse District CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistrict council partnership for housing services.
• Children and Young People's Mental Health CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of over 300 organisations working to influence policy and advocate for mental health of babies, children, and young people.
• Homeless LinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network membership for charities and organisations working directly with people who become homeless in England.
• Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEAM Network membership supporting national and local work to improve services and systems for people experiencing multiple disadvantage.
• Thames Valley VCSE Mental Health Action GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoluntary, Community and Social Enterprise mental health action group co-chaired by CEO Nicola Leavesley.
• Zero WasteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental services partnership supporting room clearance and hoarding intervention for Leslie (service user).
• Buckinghamshire Mental Health CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCSE partnership group co-chaired by Tina Marsh, Operations Manager at Response, shaping support available across Buckinghamshire.
• FACT TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-agency partnership supporting Joe (service user) alongside Response keyworker.
• Dogs for GoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganisation supporting Claire (service user) visit to training centre, helping discover interest in animal care and dog handling.
• Oxford City FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGame For Good partnership featuring discounted tickets with 50% pledge to Response, pitch-side presence, and awareness raising at matches. Player sponsorship by TotalQ donated to Response.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves21 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Hightown Housing Association: Large regional housing association operating across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire providing supported living and mental health housing services. Highly comparable supported accommodation and floating support service lines for vulnerable adults, though operating with a broader geographic spread into Home Counties rather than focusing specifically on mental health recovery.

Direct peers

• Restore: Oxfordshire mental health charity member of Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership. Provides mental health recovery and support services overlapping with Response's adult mental health supported housing and recovery model in the same regional commissioning environment.
• Together (formerly Richmond Fellowship): National mental health charity providing supported housing, recovery services, and community-based mental health support across England. Directly comparable operating model combining housing with clinical-style recovery support, with similar CQC-registered service portfolio.
• Look Ahead Housing and Care: National supported housing and care provider with substantial mental health supported accommodation portfolio. Operates similar 24/7 staffed residences, supported living, and community-based recovery services commissioned by local authorities and NHS trusts across England.
• St Mungo's: Major UK charity providing housing, homelessness, and recovery support for people experiencing mental health challenges and multiple disadvantage. Highly comparable to Response's Settled Oxfordshire and supported accommodation services, with overlapping Rough Sleeper Initiative and local authority commissioning relationships.
• Oxfordshire Mind: Local mental health charity operating in the same Oxfordshire geography and a formal Response partner through the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership and joint Mental Wealth Academy venture. Offers overlapping mental health support and wellbeing services to similar populations.
• Turning Point: National social care and mental health provider delivering supported living, recovery, and community mental health services. Listed as a Response partner and offers the same combination of mental health and housing support that defines Response's operating model.
• Connection Support: Oxfordshire-based charity providing community support and mental health services, a core member of the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership alongside Response. Directly comparable service portfolio serving overlapping populations within the same commissioner ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Rethink Mental Illness: Major national mental health charity providing advice, supported housing, community services, and recovery support. Competes with Response for the same local authority and NHS contracts at a national scale, with broader service portfolio but less regional depth in Thames Valley.
• Mind: National mental health charity operating local Mind affiliates across England and Wales, including Oxfordshire Mind. Provides information, advocacy, community services, and some supported housing - competing for overlapping commissioner relationships with much greater brand reach and fundraising capacity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/responseorg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@engagementatresponse
• Facebookfacebook.com/ResponseOrganisation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/response-organisation
• Instagraminstagram.com/responseorganisation

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Response