What Talk Club does

Talk Club is a UK registered charity (number 1194033) founded in 2018 in Bristol that delivers men's mental health support through a combination of free peer-led talking groups, low-cost professional therapy, a free mobile check-in app, and corporate mental fitness workshops. Its core operating model is the 'How are you? Out of 10?' framework, a four-round sharing structure (numeric check-in, gratitude, mental fitness planning, check-out) facilitated by trained volunteer Captains across more than 120 groups nationwide. The Out of 10 mobile app, launched on iOS and Android in 2025, extends the same framework into a self-serve daily check-in and journaling tool with no advertising or cost to users.

The organization operates as a non-profit with a paid staff of approximately 30 employees supported by an 18-person board of trustees and co-led by Co-CEOs Ben Akers and Gavin Thorpe. Revenue is generated through a mix of individual donations and Mental Fitness Month fundraising (May), subsidized therapy fees (£10/session for groups, £25-£40 for one-to-one), custom-priced Business Support workshops for corporates and public sector clients (including NHS Trusts, Prison Service, and Police Service), merchandise sales through the Love & Hope Fund, and recurring partnership contributions such as Bristol Beer Factory's 2% of total brewery sales under the 'BREWED TO GIVE' program. Talk & Exercise groups (Talk & Football, Talk & Run, Talk & Yoga) combine physical activity with the sharing framework, and international online groups extend reach globally.

The strategic positioning is built around the male suicide crisis (76% of UK suicides are male, making suicide the biggest killer of men under 60), using a prevention-oriented, measurable peer-support approach rather than crisis intervention. Celebrity ambassadors (Liam Gallagher, Tyson Fury, Troy Deeney, Richard Hammond) and royal recognition provide brand credibility. The model is differentiated by its low-friction community-led distribution, measurable 15%+ per-session mental fitness improvement, and registered charity status that enables tax-advantaged donor giving.

Name

Talk Club

Legal name

Talk Club

Website

https://talkclub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

UK registered charity operating 120+ men's mental health peer-support groups nationwide, offering free talking circles, subsidized therapy, a mobile check-in app, and corporate mental fitness workshops for men aged 18 and older.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Peer Support Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Recreation Therapy, Stress Management & Mindfulness Programs (EDALAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Group Fitness, Personal Training & Wellness Coaching (EDALAIAE)

Keywords

• Men's mental health
• Peer support groups
• Talking therapy services
• Workplace wellbeing programs
• Mental fitness charity

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals and organizations. Community fundraising events including marathons, skydives, wingwalks, and challenge events. May is Mental Fitness Month with dedicated fundraising activities.
2. Therapy Services: Low-cost professional therapy sessions led by qualified therapists. Group therapy at £10/session with £80 minimum donation for 8-week course. One-to-one therapy at £40/session (qualified) or £25/session (trainee). Concession rates available.
3. Business Support Services: Mental fitness workshops, Captain training, listening support, Mental Health First Aid support, and talks for corporate clients. Pricing agreed after initial consultation based on organizational requirements.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Love & Hope merchandise (t-shirts and trucker hats) where profits fund free therapy via the Love & Hope Fund for those who cannot afford it.
5. Partnership Revenue: Ongoing partnerships such as Bristol Beer Factory's 'BREWED TO GIVE' program contributing 2% on total brewery sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Talk Club is a UK men's mental fitness charity that delivers peer-to-peer talking groups (Talk & Listen), exercise-based groups (Talk & Exercise), subsidized professional therapy groups, a free Out of 10 mobile app for daily mental fitness check-ins, and tailored workplace mental fitness programs for businesses. All offerings use the proprietary 'How are you? Out of 10?' methodology and a structured 4-round sharing model to help men measure, track and improve their mental fitness.

Product overview

Talk Club is a UK men's mental health charity offering a suite of peer-support and professional therapy products. The core offering consists of Talk & Listen Groups (peer-to-peer talking groups in pubs, gyms, cafes), Talk & Exercise Groups (physical activity combined with sharing), and Therapy Groups (professional therapy led by qualified therapists). The Out of 10 App provides a free mobile check-in tool for tracking mental fitness scores. Business Support offers workplace mental fitness workshops and training. The Love & Hope Fund merchandise program funds free therapy for those who cannot afford it. All services use the unified 'How are you? Out of 10?' model to help men measure and improve mental fitness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Talk & Listen Groups Peer-to-peer talking groups led by volunteer Captains in community venues and online where men meet to share using the 'How are you? Out of 10?' model across four structured rounds (numeric check-in, gratitude, weekly mental fitness plan, re-score check-out). Sessions are free to attend with no booking required.
• Talk & Exercise Groups Peer-to-peer groups that combine physical activity with the Talk Club sharing model, including Talk & Football, Talk & Run, Talk & Skate, and Talk & Yoga, run by volunteer Captains in activity-appropriate spaces. Some groups charge a small participation fee at the Captain's discretion.
• Therapy Groups Professional therapy sessions led by qualified or trainee therapists, available as group therapy (max 6 men, 8 weeks, weekly) in-person or online, and one-to-one online sessions. Group therapy at £10/session with £80 minimum donation for an 8-week course; one-to-one therapy at £40/session (qualified) or £25/session (trainee), with concession rates available.
• The Out of 10 App Free mobile application for iOS and Android that enables individuals and businesses to check in with how they are 'out of 10,' track scores over time, journal feelings, and improve mental fitness. Available globally with no adverts and no cost.
• Business Support Mental fitness services for UK businesses and public sector organizations including workshops (1, 2 or 3 hours in-person or online), Captain training, listening support, Mental Health First Aid, and talks. Clients include Prison Service, NHS Trusts, Police Service, Sony Music Pub UK, Superhuman Games, and Bristol City FC; pricing is agreed after initial consultation.
• Love & Hope Fund Merchandise Sale of Love & Hope t-shirts and trucker hats via the Talk Club shop, with profits funding free therapy through the Love & Hope Fund for men who cannot otherwise afford professional support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Men aged 18 to 80+ use Talk Club from local pubs to global corporates
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Bristol Beer FactoryflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBREWED TO GIVE partnership where Bristol Beer Factory contributes 2% on total brewery sales to Talk Club. The Bristol Beer Factory tap room was the original founding location of Talk Club 7 years ago. Ongoing community support including hosting TC Tobacco Factory Take Over event during Mental Fitness Month.
• Active TeamscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Active Teams to offer free virtual activity challenges for individuals and corporates. Challenge teams to complete virtual races (e.g., Pennine Way distance) or compete for Minutes of Movement, raising awareness and funds for both organizations.
• MicrohiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkplace giving partnership allowing employees to round down their salary and donate the pennies to Talk Club (max 99p/month). Introduces charitable giving into company payroll systems.
• UltraChallengeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChallenge event partner for Ultra Challenge events - walking, running, and outdoor adventure challenges across the UK that supporters can participate in to raise funds for Talk Club.
• Charity ChallengesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOverseas challenge events partner offering international adventures (Andes, Iceland, Indonesia, Zambezi) that participants can use to raise funds for Talk Club.
• British SkydiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSkydive partner for Talk Club skydiving events at Dunkeswell Airfield. Minimum fundraising target of £395 per person.
• Wingwalk BuzzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWingwalk partner for Talk Club wingwalking events at Dunkeswell Airfield. Minimum fundraising target of £599 per person.
• Killer Ink TattoominorGTM or Marketing PartnerFundraising partner that has completed challenges (Mount Snowdon climb raising £870) and participated in events like Bristol Tattoo Convention. Tattoo artists trained as Talk Club Captains.
• Bristol City FCflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Talk Club Cup event bringing together Celebs and Legends from Bristol City and Bristol Rovers. Fan City event at Ashton Gate Stadium. Partnership with Robins Foundation.
• Bristol RoversflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Talk Club Cup event alongside Bristol City FC. Partnership with Bristol Rovers Trust for the annual match raising funds for both clubs and Talk Club.
• Pen UnderwritingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTalk Club 180 Miles Initiative - collaboration between Pen Charity and Inclusion & Diversity Committee with Talk Club. Teams of five compete to complete 180 miles of recorded physical activity during May Mental Fitness Month to raise funds and awareness.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/talkclubcharity
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@talkclubcharity
• Facebookfacebook.com/talkclubcharity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/talkclubcharity
• Instagraminstagram.com/talkclubcharity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Talk Club