Dandelion Time

What Dandelion Time does

Dandelion Time is a UK registered charity (Charity Number 1136613) founded in 2003 by Dr Caroline Jessel that delivers nature-based therapeutic programmes for children aged 6-13 who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, bereavement, or bullying, together with their families and carers. The charity's core product is a ten-week family programme delivered across three Kent sites (Maidstone Hub at Elmscroft Cottage in West Farleigh, a Mid Kent branch near Ashford, and a North Kent branch at Shorne Woods), in which groups of up to three families engage in animal care, gardening, pottery, green woodworking, wool-work, and cooking activities supported by qualified therapeutic staff. Referrals are accepted exclusively from professional agencies — Early Help, Social Workers, GPs, and Schools — reflecting a systemic family-focused intervention rather than direct-to-consumer intake. The therapeutic methodology is the charity's central proprietary asset, developed over 20+ years, externally evaluated (Professor Bullock, Dartington, 2004), and now commercialised through accredited CPD training courses for professionals at £250 per two-day programme.

Commercially, Dandelion Time operates a diversified charity revenue model rather than a transactional sales model. Income is generated from multi-year grants and foundations (Masonic Charitable Foundation, Leathersellers' Foundation, Chimo Trust, Garfield Weston, National Lottery Community Fund, BBC Children in Need, Kent Police & Crime Commissioner), corporate partnerships (Gallagher UK, Ruxley Manor, NFU Mutual, Virgin Media, John Lewis, Macknade, Fidelity), individual donations via JustGiving and direct channels (with Gift Aid), recurring animal sponsorships (£5-£10/month), an e-commerce shop selling cards, gifts, and craft kits (£3-£12.95), training course fees, and community events including Summer Gardens, May Fayre, and the Candlelit Christmas concert. Distribution is multi-channel: professional referrals for the core programme, direct engagement with schools via the School Partnership Programme and Nurture in Nature, corporate relationship management, and digital marketing through a website, email newsletter, and active Instagram/Facebook presence. The charity reports 1,000+ families transformed since 2003, with 197 families and 468 therapeutic sessions delivered in 2024-2025, measured outcomes of 87% improved emotional wellbeing and 75% improved behaviour at home, and a cost-economics claim of over £1m in potential public savings per 100 children helped by preventing later intervention. Leadership comprises Co-CEOs Graham Carpenter BEM and Jane Angell Payne, Director of Therapy & Training Carol Bridges, a Chair (Gilly Wilford), and patrons including Sir Michael Morpurgo and Isabel Hardman.

Name

Dandelion Time

Legal name

Dandelion Time

Website

https://dandeliontime.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dandelion Time is a UK charity founded in 2003 that delivers a ten-week nature-based therapeutic programme for trauma-affected children aged 6-13 and their families across three Kent sites, funded by grants, corporate partnerships, individual donations, training, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Therapeutic Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411)

akta.pro primary industry

Therapeutic & Behavioral Health School Programs (Day Treatment) (EDAJAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trauma-Informed & Resilience-Building Programs (Early Childhood) (EDACAOAD), Parent Mental Health, Stress Management & Wellness Programs (EDACALAJ)

Keywords

• Nature-based therapy
• Family therapeutic programmes
• Trauma-informed support
• Children's charity services
• Animal-assisted therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Maidstone

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Trust and Foundation Grants: Significant proportion of voluntary income from trusts and foundations including Masonic Charitable Foundation, Raise Your Hands, Leathersellers' Foundation, Chimo Trust, Kent Police & Crime Commissioner, The Bradbury Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund, and BBC Children in Need.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsors, Charity of the Year partnerships, event sponsorship, employee fundraising matching, and in-kind gifts from businesses including Ruxley Manor, Gallagher UK, NFU Mutual, South East Water, and others.
3. Individual Donations: One-off and recurring donations via JustGiving, bank transfer, cheque, payroll giving, cryptocurrency, and legacy gifts. Gift Aid scheme allows reclaiming 25p per £1 donated.
4. Animal Sponsorship: Monthly sponsorship of animals starting at £5 per month for guinea pigs and sheep, £10 per month for donkeys and alpacas. Includes personalised sponsorship pack with postcard, certificate, car sticker, and twice-yearly updates.
5. Product Sales: Online shop selling Christmas cards, gifts, homewares, craft kits, and tote bags. Shop offers items like Snowy Duck Christmas Cards (£3), Tote Bags (£4), craft kits (£3.95-£7.95), and Growbars (£12.95).
6. Event Fundraising: Annual events including Summer Gardens, raffles, challenge events, and community events that raise funds through ticket sales, donations, and participant fundraising.
7. Training Course Fees: CPD training courses for professionals working with vulnerable children. Two-day courses cost £250, covering attachment difficulties and trauma, with light refreshments provided.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Dandelion Time delivers a ten-week nature-based therapeutic programme for vulnerable children (ages 6-13) and their families at three Kent farm sites, using animal care, gardening, pottery, woodwork, and cooking to help families recover from trauma. The charity complements this core service with school partnership programmes, CPD training for professionals, animal sponsorships, an online shop, and community fundraising events.

Product overview

Dandelion Time is a nature-based therapeutic charity offering a single unified programme focused on helping vulnerable children and families recover from trauma. The core offering is the Family Therapeutic Programme, a ten-week nature and craft-based intervention delivered at their farm sites. This core programme is supported by several supplementary offerings including the School Partnership Programme and Nurture in Nature Programme (both modules extending reach into educational settings), CPD Training Courses for professionals, Animal Sponsorship for donor engagement, a Charity Shop selling cards and crafts, Summer Gardens community fundraising events, a Schools Seedling Challenge for youth engagement, and a Volunteer Programme supporting operational delivery. The organisation operates across three sites in Kent (Maidstone Hub, Mid Kent Branch, and North Kent Branch) and was founded in 2003.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Family Therapeutic Programme A nature-based ten-week therapeutic programme where children aged 6-13 and their families engage in practical farm and craft activities including animal care, pottery, woodwork, and cooking to help recover from trauma. Families attend regular weekday sessions together, with groups of up to three families working with therapeutic staff.
• School Partnership Programme A collaborative programme providing training and mentoring for school staff to deliver practical, therapeutic family support within school settings, focusing on nature, animal care, and craft activities to support vulnerable children.
• Nurture in Nature Programme A targeted three-week intervention for children aged 7-10 with emotional wellbeing challenges, offering weekly two-hour nature-based sessions focused on animal care, crafts, and building emotional regulation. Up to 12 children per programme, selected by schools.
• CPD Training Courses Continuing Professional Development training courses for professionals working with vulnerable children, including a two-day course on enabling learning for children affected by trauma and poor attachment. Cost: £250 per participant.
• Animal Sponsorship Monthly sponsorship programme allowing supporters to sponsor specific animals (donkeys, guinea pigs, alpacas, sheep) that support the therapeutic work. Sponsorship from £5 per month, includes personalised sponsorship pack with postcard, certificate, car sticker, and twice-yearly updates.
• Charity Shop Online shop offering Christmas cards, greetings cards, gifts, homeware, and craft kits with proceeds supporting the charity's work with vulnerable children and families. 35 products priced from £3 to £12.95.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of children said Dandelion Time helped improve their emotional wellbeing
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered historical, active and minor.

• Farms for City ChildrenhistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinks established with one of England's largest farm-based charities, founded by Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare. Common philosophy and approach to farm-based therapeutic work.
• Gallagher UKactiveGTM or Marketing PartnerSecured £10,000 through Aviva Broker Fund for 'More than a building' campaign to develop the site near Ashford. Also doubled staff fundraising with employer matching.
• Ruxley Manor Garden CentreactiveGTM or Marketing PartnerTill donations, specially designed mug (percentage of profits), staff cycling challenge, and events including circus and Christmas ice-skating with Santa's Grotto. Displays throughout centre raising awareness.
• NFU MutualactiveGTM or Marketing PartnerAgency Giving Fund supported placements at Shorne site with donation of nearly £8,000.
• South East WaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerContributed £2,000 to fund rainwater harvesting barrels and a hand pump - eco-friendly solutions with therapeutic benefits for children.
• DFDSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated return ferry crossing from Dover to Dunkirk or Calais for 4 people and one car as raffle prize.
• The Swan, West MallingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated brunch for two with glass of fizz as raffle prize.
• Drusillas ParkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated two free child tickets (must be accompanied by full-paying adult, valid any time) as raffle prize.
• Virgin MediaactiveGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteering groups join for community events, garden preparation, and building projects at the site.
• John LewisactiveGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteering groups participate in site activities and events.
• McArthur GlenactiveGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteering at Dandelion Time site.
• Ward SecurityactiveGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored Golf Day and donated to Christmas Big Give campaign.
• NovacoractiveGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored Golf Day and donated to Christmas Big Give campaign.
• MacknadeactiveGTM or Marketing PartnerCustomer events to raise money including children's activity sessions and quiz nights. Shared love of natural world and community.
• Cook FoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated delicious treats for events helping keep costs down and maximise fundraising.
• FidelityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHelped light up Candlelit Christmas with sponsorship.
• Kent Wildlife TrustactiveStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated through Wilder Kent Award programme. Dandelion Time won Gold at their 2024 awards. Both organisations share commitment to nature and environment.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Children's Society: National charity supporting disadvantaged children including those affected by exploitation, abuse, and mental health issues, with direct services and policy advocacy. Comparable in mission and beneficiary profile, though it operates at much larger scale and offers broader advocacy rather than a single therapeutic methodology.
• Anna Freud Centre: National mental health charity for children, young people, and families, providing clinical services, training, and research including the UK's leading child mental health research base. Comparable as a training and CPD provider for professionals working with traumatised children, and shares the evidence-based, family-systems orientation.
• YoungMinds: UK's leading charity for children and young people's mental health, providing advocacy, information, and parent helpline services. Comparable as a national child mental health charity operating in a similar funding and policy environment as Dandelion Time, though it does not offer hands-on nature-based therapy.

Direct peers

• Place2Be: Children's mental health charity providing counselling and emotional support directly in UK schools, including trained counsellors in primary and secondary schools. Closely comparable in targeting vulnerable school-age children via school-based delivery, with a similar evidence-driven, training-and-direct-service model.
• Farms for City Children: Farm-based learning charity founded by Michael Morpurgo and Clare, providing residential week-long farm visits for children from urban areas. Highly comparable in nature-based, farm-animal-assisted intervention and shares Michael Morpurgo as a Patron, making it both a partner and the most direct peer in operating model.
• Kids Inspire: Essex-based charity supporting children and young people affected by trauma, abuse, and family breakdown through therapy, mentoring, and creative programmes. Closely comparable regional charity in size, mission, and trauma-informed family therapy delivery, providing a benchmark for what a neighbouring county's Dandelion Time could look like.
• Winston's Wish: UK charity supporting bereaved children and young people, offering therapeutic services, helpline, and training for professionals. Comparable as a specialist children's therapy charity working with families affected by trauma (here bereavement), with similar training and professional referral channels.
• Hopscotch Children's Therapy Centre: London-based charity providing multi-disciplinary therapy for children with cerebral palsy and other motor disabilities. Comparable as a small UK therapy charity offering site-based programmes and family-centred intervention, though focused on physical rather than emotional disability.

Emerging players

• Family Lives: UK charity providing early intervention and family support through helplines, online forums, and targeted programmes for parents and children. Comparable in working with whole families in crisis using non-clinical systemic approaches, though delivery is virtual/digital rather than site-based.

Regional players

• Shooting Star Children's Hospices: South East England children's hospice and bereavement support charity. Comparable as a Kent-area children's charity combining direct therapeutic services, family support, training, and similar multi-site model, though focused on end-of-life and bereavement care.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DandelionTime
• Instagraminstagram.com/dandeliontimeuk
• Xx.com/dandeliontimeuk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Dandelion Time