South Kent Mind

What South Kent Mind does

South Kent Mind Ltd is a UK-registered independent mental health charity (Charity no. 1089472, Company no. 04276323) founded in 1988 and affiliated with the national Mind federation. It serves adults and young people experiencing mental health problems across the South Kent catchment — Folkestone, Hythe, Dover, Deal, Sandwich, New Romney and surrounding areas — and is also a delivery partner in the Kent County Council and NHS-commissioned Live Well Kent & Medway service. Its core offering is a portfolio of human-delivered mental health services: low-cost counselling (in-person, phone, and online video), wellbeing check-ins, weekly wellbeing activities (Walk & Talk, art groups, mindfulness, gentle yoga, healthy cooking, reading for wellbeing, gardening), school workshops, youth services, and dedicated mental health helplines and suicide prevention resources. The organisation also sells paid training to businesses, including Mental Health First Aid, Suicide First Aid, and bespoke workplace wellbeing workshops.

The business model is a mix of charitable revenue streams. Total income for the year ended 31 March 2025 was £500,604, drawn from donations and community fundraising (Mental Elf fun run, Paws for Mind dog walk, quiz nights, monthly draw with a £100 prize), three charity shops in Folkestone, Hythe and Dover selling donated pre-loved items, paid training courses to organisations, low-cost counselling fees, government-commissioned service fees via the Live Well Kent & Medway contract, and £1-per-year charity memberships. Marketing and distribution are predominantly community-led: over 5,000 social-media followers, grassroots events, school and workplace partnerships, local press coverage, and direct community delivery at venues including Abercrombie's Café. Charitable expenditure was £448,555 against £500,604 of total costs, producing a £129,058 deficit; reserves carried forward were reported between £254,500 and £422,333 depending on source, and total funds stood below the prior year's level of £268,105 per the scale commentary. The organisation runs on a small paid staff base supplemented by more than 70 volunteers and holds the Mind Quality Mark certification from the Mind Federation.

Name

South Kent Mind

Legal name

South Kent Mind Ltd

Website

https://southkentmind.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

South Kent Mind is a UK-registered mental health charity (founded 1988) serving adults and young people across South Kent, delivering low-cost counselling, wellbeing groups, school workshops, workplace training, and suicide-prevention support, and operating three charity shops, funded by donations, fundraising events, retail, training fees, and a Kent County Council/NHS-commissioned service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Services

NAICS

Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330), Other Individual and Family Services (62419)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Mental Health Therapy Platforms (Talk Therapy) (HLALAEAA), School-Based Mental Health Therapy (Licensed Clinicians) (EDAKAMAD)

Keywords

• Mental health services
• Community wellbeing support
• Mental health training
• Counselling services
• Mental health charity

Headquarters

HQ city

Folkestone

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: South Kent Mind raises funds through donations, monthly draw entries, and community fundraising events. The charity relies heavily on public donations and fundraising activities including the Mental Elf fun run, Paws for Mind dog walks, and quiz nights.
2. Charity Shop Sales: The organization operates three charity shops in Folkestone, Hythe, and Dover, generating revenue from the sale of donated pre-loved items. Shop revenue is a key component of fundraising efforts.
3. Training Services: South Kent Mind offers paid training including Mental Health First Aid Training, Suicide First Aid Training, and Workplace Training Workshops to organisations and businesses, generating professional services revenue.
4. Low-Cost Counselling: The charity provides a low-cost counselling service available in-person, over the phone, and via online video calls, generating modest service fee revenue.
5. Membership Fees: A charity membership option is available for £1.00 per year, entitling members to vote at the AGM and receive the annual report.
6. Government and Commissioned Services: South Kent Mind delivers the Live Well Kent & Medway service on behalf of Kent County Council and the NHS, representing a commissioned/public funding revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

South Kent Mind is a local independent mental health charity providing counselling, wellbeing groups, youth services, school workshops, workplace training, helplines, and crisis support to residents of South Kent. Services are delivered in-person at community venues, by phone, and via online video. The charity also operates three retail charity shops and raises funds through donations, a monthly draw, and community events.

Product overview

South Kent Mind is a local independent mental health charity offering a portfolio of interconnected services focused on mental health support, counselling, training, and community wellbeing. The core offerings include low-cost counselling (available in-person, over the phone, and via video), youth services with school workshops, and a diverse range of wellbeing activities (Walk & Talk, Art Groups, Mindfulness, Gentle Yoga, Healthy Cooking on a Budget, Reading for Wellbeing, and gardening groups). The organization also provides workplace training workshops including Mental Health First Aid and Suicide First Aid training, operates three charity shops in Folkestone, Hythe, and Dover for fundraising, and runs community fundraising events such as the Monthly Draw, Mental Elf, Paws for Mind, and Coastal Sunrise Walk of Hope. The services are delivered through their main office in Folkestone and are funded through donations, fundraising activities, and shop proceeds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mind Quality Mark: Quality assurance standard achieved by South Kent Mind, demonstrating good practice and legal compliance within the Mind Federation.

Products and services

• Low-Cost Counselling A low-cost counselling service available in-person, over the phone, and via online video calls, supporting mental wellbeing for adults in South Kent.
• Wellbeing Check-in The first step to getting involved in South Kent Mind's activities and services, providing a one-to-one initial assessment for prospective service users.
• Youth Services Mental health-focused activities and workshops providing young people with support and skills development.
• School Workshops Mental health awareness workshops delivered to schools covering self-esteem, feelings, relationships, and worries for students in South Kent.
• Mental Health First Aid Training Training course enabling organisations and individuals to become a Mental Health First Aider, supporting others with mental health skills.
• Suicide First Aid Training Training course providing participants with confidence and skills for suicide intervention.
• Workplace Training Workshops Bespoke training workshops for workplaces to build confidence and skills in mental health support, tailored for organisations and businesses.
• Wellbeing Groups and Activities Weekly wellbeing activities including Walk & Talk, Art Groups, Mindfulness, Gentle Yoga, Healthy Cooking on a Budget, Reading for Wellbeing, and gardening groups for local residents.
• Live Well Services Part of the Live Well Kent & Medway service delivered on behalf of Kent County Council and the NHS, providing mental health and wellbeing support to local residents.
• Charity Shops Three charity shops located in Folkestone, Hythe, and Dover selling donated pre-loved items to fund mental health services and accept item donations.
• Monthly Draw Monthly fundraising lottery offering participants the chance to win £100 while supporting South Kent Mind's mental health services.
• Workplace Wellbeing Comprehensive mental health and wellbeing support tailored for workplaces, including training programmes and ongoing wellbeing initiatives.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,000 attendances to group activities, over 300 wellbeing check-ups delivered, 144 children and young people supported, over 70 volunteers active
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kent County Council and NHScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Kent Mind is part of the Live Well Kent & Medway service, delivered on behalf of Kent County Council and the NHS. This is a core commissioned public health partnership providing mental health and wellbeing services across the region.
• Holiday ExtrasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHoliday Extras generously sponsored the medals and race numbers for the Mental Elf 2025 fun run event, supporting the charity's fundraising efforts.
• SagaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSaga sponsored the goody bags for the Mental Elf 2025 festive fun run, helping to create a memorable experience for child participants.
• Folkestone Running and Athletics ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFolkestone Running and Athletics Club provided ongoing support in promoting the Mental Elf event and championing South Kent Mind over the past year.
• Channel RotaryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChannel Rotary volunteers provided marshalling support on the day of the Mental Elf 2025 fun run, helping manage the event safely.
• Chaos CardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChaos Cards in Folkestone is a venue partner hosting South Kent Mind's quiz events (Legends of Lore Trivia Quiz and Joystick Genius Video Game Quiz Night). They donate raffle prizes and best-dressed/winning team prizes, demonstrating ongoing partnership and community support.
• National MindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Kent Mind is affiliated with National Mind and supports its mission and vision. The Mind Quality Mark and Mind Federation standards connect local Minds to national quality frameworks and resources.
• Strange CargominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Kent Mind collaborated with Strange Cargo to create sculptures that were put on permanent display at Folkestone West train station in November, promoting mental health awareness in the community.
• Tony Vaughan (Local MP and former South Kent Mind Trustee)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTony Vaughan, local MP and former South Kent Mind Trustee, delivered an inspiring speech and officially started the Mental Elf 2025 run, demonstrating continued support for the charity's mission.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SANE: UK mental health charity offering emotional support, information, and community services for people affected by mental illness. Comparable service mix (helplines, peer support) and charitable funding model.
• Kent Mind (formerly Mind in Mid Kent): Another local Mind charity operating in Kent under the same federation. Closest direct peer in geography, service mix (counselling, groups, training), and funding model (commissioned services plus fundraising).

Broad incumbents

• Samaritans: UK-wide charity providing emotional support helplines and suicide prevention services. Comparable mission and volunteer-driven operating model; competes for the same donor and volunteer pool locally.
• Rethink Mental Illness: National UK mental health charity delivering counselling, group support, helplines, and campaigning. Comparable service breadth and charitable funding model, though at significantly larger scale and with a stronger policy/complaining remit.
• Together for Mental Wellbeing: National UK mental health charity providing community-based support, counselling, and recovery-focused services. Comparable service model and target population, with broader geographic reach.
• National Mind: The national federation of which South Kent Mind is an affiliated local Mind. Direct parent brand in the local Mind network and the most comparable operating model, but at a UK-wide scale with policy, campaigning, and national helpline functions that local Minds do not replicate.
• Mental Health Foundation: UK charity focused on prevention, research, and public mental health. Comparable mission around community wellbeing and training, but operates primarily through policy and research rather than direct service delivery.

Emerging players

• Kooth: Digital mental wellbeing platform for children and young people commissioned by local authorities and the NHS. Competes with South Kent Mind's youth services on commissioned digital delivery and increasingly on county-level contracts.
• YoungMinds: UK charity focused on children and young people's mental health. Directly comparable to South Kent Mind's youth services and school workshop offering, though operating at national scale through partnerships rather than direct local delivery.
• Anxiety UK: UK charity providing support services for those affected by anxiety, depression, and related conditions. Comparable counselling and training offering, though with a more narrowly defined clinical population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/southkentmind
• Instagraminstagram.com/southkentmind
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southkentmind
• Xx.com/southkentmind

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 South Kent Mind