With Kids

What With Kids does

With Kids is a Scottish-registered charity (Company Limited by Guarantee, charity number SC022467) founded in 2008 by Tricia Hughes in Glasgow's East End, providing Play Therapy, family support, and accredited training to children aged 0-16 facing adversity. The organization's core service is psychodynamic and non-directive Play Therapy — delivered one-to-one using toys, art, and imaginative play to help children express emotions and build coping mechanisms — supplemented by Sandplay Therapy for adults, perinatal and early-years programmes under The First 1001 Critical Days banner, school and nursery partnerships, and community-based parent/carer support. The therapeutic portfolio is augmented by an MSc Play Therapy degree run in partnership with Queen Margaret University and accredited by the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT, itself accredited by the Professional Standards Authority), plus CPD programmes for professionals and a subscription Corporate Training vertical on trauma-informed workplace practice and neurodiversity.

With Kids generates revenue from a diversified mix typical of a UK mid-sized charity: donations and fundraising (JustGiving, Benevity, payroll giving, patron programmes, legacy gifts), grant-funded service contracts from local authorities and trusts (Glasgow City Council, City of Edinburgh Council, RS Macdonald, Glasgow Community Fund, Trades House Glasgow, Edinburgh's Promise), paid MSc tuition at £5,500/year over three years payable to Queen Margaret University, corporate training subscriptions, and a small number of fee-paying Play Therapy spaces alongside free funded places. Distribution is delivered through two offices (Glasgow headquarters and Edinburgh), embedded therapists in 60+ schools across Scotland's central belt, a Baby and Family Community Support Hub in Glasgow's East End, and partnerships with NHS-linked providers (Wester Hailes Medical Practice, Westerhaven) and mental health charities (SAMH, Space, Big Hearts). The organization is led by CEO Gwen Galbraith with a Board of Trustees spanning public health, legal, finance, and third-sector backgrounds, and operates with a staff team of over 55 qualified therapists, family support workers, and community practitioners.

Name

With Kids

Legal name

With Kids

Website

https://withkids.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

With Kids is a Scottish charity providing Play Therapy, family support, accredited MSc training, and CPD programmes to children aged 0-16 facing adversity, their families, schools, and corporate clients across Scotland's central belt.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Mental Health Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Parent–Child Play & Interaction Programs (EDACALAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Parent Mental Health, Stress Management & Wellness Programs (EDACALAJ)

Keywords

• Play therapy services
• Children mental health
• Family support programs
• Professional training
• School wellbeing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Glasgow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations through JustGiving and other platforms, corporate donations, patron programs, and legacy gifts in wills. The organization relies on public generosity to support its work.
2. MSc Play Therapy Tuition: Revenue from the MSc in Play Therapy program, which charges £5,500 per year for 3 years, payable in instalments to Queen Margaret University. Includes supervision costs.
3. Funded Services: Contract revenue from trusts, foundations, local authorities, nurseries, schools, and grant-giving bodies who fund specific programs such as Play Therapy in schools and community programs.
4. Corporate Training: Revenue from corporate training programs including monthly video training series, spotlight sessions, and thematic packs delivered to businesses to support employee wellbeing and ESG commitments.
5. Play Therapy Sessions: The organization offers both funded spaces (free) and paid-for spaces for Play Therapy, providing revenue from fee-paying clients.
6. Payroll Giving: Tax-efficient donation mechanism where employees donate directly from salary, with organizations able to achieve the Payroll Giving Quality Mark.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

With Kids is a children's mental health charity delivering Play Therapy as its core service, providing one-to-one therapeutic sessions for children using toys, art, and imaginative play to help them express emotions and build resilience. The charity also offers an accredited MSc Play Therapy degree through Queen Margaret University, CPD training for professionals, corporate training, courses for parents/carers, and community-based family support programs across Scotland.

Product overview

With Kids is a children's mental health charity offering a portfolio of therapeutic services centered on Play Therapy as the core offering. The organisation provides a tiered service model: core Play Therapy sessions for children (ages 2-10+), complemented by educational programmes (MSc in Play Therapy accredited by QMU and BAPT), professional development training (CPD for Professionals, Corporate Training), parent/carer courses, early years support (First 1001 Critical Days), school-based partnerships, and community programmes. The services are delivered across Scotland through centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh, with some services provided in partnership with NHS, local authorities, schools, and community organisations. Most community-based services are free, while the MSc and some training are paid programmes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Play Therapy One-to-one therapeutic sessions for children using toys, art, and imaginative play to help them express emotions and build resilience. A core service addressing children's emotional wellbeing affected by adversity, available as both funded (free) and paid-for spaces.
• MSc Play Therapy A professionally accredited Masters degree in Play Therapy, delivered in partnership with Queen Margaret University and accredited by the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT). A 3-year course for aspiring Play Therapists, charged at £5,500 per year including supervision.
• CPD for Professionals Professional training for teachers, social workers, health professionals, and community workers on play therapy, trauma-informed practice, and child emotional development. Includes workshops, webinars, reflective practice spaces, and extended programmes.
• Corporate Training Trauma-informed workplace training helping teams understand neurodivergence, trauma, and emotional wellbeing. Includes monthly video series, Q&A sessions, and staff consultations for HR and managers, delivered through monthly or annual subscription plans.
• Courses for Parents/Carers Practical training programmes for parents and carers to understand children's emotional worlds, including workshops, webinars, short courses, and longer programmes on topics like emotional regulation and neurodivergent support.
• The First 1001 Critical Days Programme Perinatal and early years support programme for expectant parents and families with babies during the first 1001 days of life, including MeeMaws and Deedas groups, Baby Yoga & Sensory Play, Wee Bees and Bumps, Dad's Play Group, and Watch Wait & Wonder sessions.
• For Schools & Nurseries School-based play therapy partnerships providing therapist support, staff consultations, training, and parent support in educational settings. With Kids works with over 60 schools across Scotland's central belt including Glasgow City Council and City of Edinburgh Council partnerships.
• Community Programmes Community-based play therapy and family support services across Glasgow and Edinburgh, including adult therapy, summer programmes, kinship care support, and community café offerings delivered free of charge.
• Baby and Family Community Support Hub Family support services based in Glasgow's East End providing parent groups, family activities, and community connections during the first 1001 days of life, including the dedicated Baby and Family Community Support Hub.
• Adult Therapy (Sandplay Therapy) Free mental health support service for parents and carers in Glasgow, including one-to-one counselling and Sandplay Therapy for processing emotional issues through creative expression using sand and small world objects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% of children show improved emotional wellbeing through Play Therapy
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Queen Margaret University (QMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for the MSc Play Therapy program. QMU provides university accreditation, ensuring the programme meets rigorous academic and professional standards. Students graduate with an MSc Play Therapy awarded by QMU, and the course is accredited by the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT).
• British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT)coreOthersProfessional accreditation body for play therapy. The MSc Play Therapy course is accredited by BAPT, enabling graduates to register as full BAPT members. The BAPT register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
• Glasgow City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlay Therapy delivered as part of Glasgow City Council's Counselling in Schools commitment, ensuring pupils get timely therapeutic support when they need it most.
• City of Edinburgh CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide specialist Play Therapy for Care Experienced Children in Edinburgh schools. Working with 5 schools funded by Edinburgh's Promise, a local plan to improve lives of children and young people who are care experienced.
• SAMHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity mental health partnership bringing mental health services to young people aged 5-26 in South West Edinburgh. Together providing a range of essential local mental health services to meet diverse needs.
• SpacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity mental health partnership for young people aged 5-26 in South West Edinburgh, part of the network of mental health supports helping children and young people feel heard, understood and supported close to home.
• Big Hearts Community TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity mental health partnership for young people aged 5-26 in South West Edinburgh, providing essential local mental health services through a collaborative approach.
• Wester Hailes Medical PracticemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNurture, Connect, Thrive collaboration working with children and parents/carers who repeatedly present at the GP with complex social and emotional issues, including neurodevelopmental concerns manifesting as difficult-to-treat health issues.
• Westerhaven Cancer Support ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKids Haven project providing Play Therapy for children whose parents/carers have received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Children receive therapeutic support while their families are supported by a specialist cancer nurse and counselling.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Action for Children: Major UK children's services charity delivering residential care, fostering, family support, and emotional wellbeing services nationally. Broad incumbent operating across the same beneficiary segment with partially overlapping therapeutic and family support services.
• YoungMinds: UK charity dedicated to children and young people's mental health, focused on advocacy, parent helpline, and campaigning rather than direct therapy. Comparable target population and mental health mission; addresses an adjacent rather than directly overlapping service offering.
• NSPCC: The UK's leading children's charity focused on preventing abuse and supporting children at risk, including mental health and therapeutic services through Learning and NSPCC Scotland. Comparable mission around vulnerable children but much broader scope and scale.
• Anna Freud Centre (Anna Freud): Larger, research-led UK charity focused on children and young people's mental health, with national influence on policy, training, and service design. Comparable in mission area but broader in scope, including research, CAMHS collaboration, and professional training at a national level.

Regional players

• Kibble Education and Care Centre: Scottish specialist provider of residential care, education, and therapeutic support for children and young people affected by trauma, primarily in the central belt. Comparable regional footprint and trauma-informed service philosophy, though more residential-oriented.
• Children 1st: Scotland's national children's charity supporting families through adversity, with family support and therapeutic services across the country. Direct geographic overlap with With Kids in Scotland and highly comparable service themes (family support, therapeutic intervention for vulnerable children), but broader welfare remit.
• Place2Be Scotland / Children in Scotland: Scottish umbrella body for children and family services organisations, supporting members delivering children's services including therapeutic and family support across Scotland. Comparable Scottish context and shared thematic mission, operating as an enabling/membership body rather than direct provider.

Direct peers

• Place2Be: UK children's mental health charity providing school-based counselling and therapeutic support across primary and secondary schools. Highly comparable in mission, delivery model (in-school therapeutic services), target segment (children in education settings), and commissioning relationships with local authorities.
• Theraplay UK: UK organisation promoting and training practitioners in Theraplay, a play-based relational therapy for children and families. Closely comparable on modality (structured play-based attachment therapy), parent–child focus, and CPD/training revenue model.

Others

• Home-Start UK: UK family support charity helping parents with young children through trained volunteers and family support programmes. Comparable on parent-engagement/early-years orientation and home visiting community delivery model, though focusing on volunteer-led family support rather than clinical Play Therapy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/withkidsscot
• Facebookfacebook.com/withkids
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/withkids

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 With Kids