Together Co

What Together Co does

Together Co is a registered charity (Company Limited by Guarantee, legal name Together Collective) operating in Brighton & Hove, United Kingdom, dedicated to reducing loneliness and social isolation. Founded circa 1999–2000 and now in its 25th year, the organisation delivers a portfolio of interconnected human services: a Connection Hub for initial triage and assessment, one-to-one Befriending that matches isolated individuals with trained volunteers, NHS-embedded Social Prescribing via link workers, a short-term goal-focused Connector Service, and a Connection by Letter pen-pal programme. Supplementary offerings include Nature Buddies (outdoor therapeutic companionship via the Green Wellbeing Alliance), Vaccine Buddies (appointment companionship), and John's Table (community café partnership). The organisation is run by 31 staff and supported by over 500 trained volunteers, serving a city of nearly 300,000 residents where more than 22,000 people report frequent loneliness.

There is no proprietary technology platform: the service is fundamentally human-delivered, with operational infrastructure limited to a WordPress website, social media accounts (@HelloTogetherCo across Facebook, Instagram, X), standard email and phone channels, and an NHS email domain (@nhs.net) for social prescribing referrals. No APIs, mobile apps, or AI products are disclosed. Distribution occurs through self-referral and referrals from GPs, social prescribing link workers, and partner charities, with corporate reach extended via the Good Gift Guide marketplace linking 20+ local businesses (Stanley Road Store, Redroaster, Posh Totty, The Grand Brighton, etc.) that donate a percentage of sales.

Revenue is generated entirely from charitable sources: individual donations, corporate partnerships (Good Gift Guide), fundraising events (Brighton Half Marathon, Peacehaven Cliffs Abseil, Autumn Gala raising £17K+), grants (e.g., The Soldiers Charity), and legacy giving via Cognitive Law. All services are free to beneficiaries. The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees under a Company Limited by Guarantee structure with no shareholders. Recent strategic milestones include the 2024 GSK IMPACT Award (one of 10 winners from 500+ UK charities), the 2023 King's Award for Voluntary Service, the October 2025 appointment of Emily Daniel as CEO (succeeding April Baker), the addition of five new specialist trustees, and the publication of the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan under the banner 'Campaign for Social Health'.

Name

Together Co

Legal name

Together Collective a Company Limited by Guarantee

Website

https://togetherco.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Together Co is a Brighton & Hove registered charity providing befriending, social prescribing, connector and letter-based services to tackle loneliness, delivered by 31 staff and 500+ trained volunteers across a city of nearly 300,000 residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton, England

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate donations, and fundraising event participation. Includes winter hampers, Good Gift Guide partnerships, and community fundraising initiatives.
2. Good Gift Guide Corporate Partnerships: Local businesses partner with Together Co through the Good Gift Guide, donating a percentage of sales. Partners commit to minimum £250 per year (billed quarterly) for at least 12 months. Companies like Stanley Road Store donate 10% of profits, Redroaster donates 30p per after eight hot chocolate, Posh Totty donates £10 per necklace sale.
3. Fundraising Events: Events such as Peacehaven Cliffs Abseil and Brighton Half Marathon generate revenue through participant fees and sponsorship. Autumn Gala at Brighton Palace Pier raised over £17,000.
4. Legacy Giving: Legacy gifts in wills allow supporters to leave lasting contributions to the charity's work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Together Co is a registered charity providing free befriending, social prescribing, and connector services to individuals in Brighton & Hove experiencing loneliness and social isolation. Trained volunteers and link workers match beneficiaries with one-to-one relationships and connect them to community groups, activities, and tailored wellbeing resources. Supplementary programs include a pen pal scheme (Connection by Letter), Nature Buddies, and Vaccine Buddies companionship for medical appointments.

Product overview

Together Co is a social health and loneliness charity operating as a single unified service organization offering multiple interconnected human-support programs. The core portfolio includes Connection Hub (intake and assessment), Befriending (one-to-one volunteer matching), Social Prescribing (link worker referrals to community services), Connector Service (short-term goal-focused support), and Connection by Letter (pen pal program). Supplementary offerings include the Good Gift Guide charitable marketplace for fundraising, Nature Buddies (outdoor activity companions via Green Wellbeing Alliance partnership), and Vaccine Buddies (companionship for medical appointments). The services work together as a coordinated system addressing social isolation through multiple touchpoints, from initial contact through sustained befriending relationships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Connection Hub Initial contact point for individuals seeking help; a dedicated team listens, understands needs, and connects people with the right services within Together Co. Free to beneficiaries in Brighton & Hove.
• Befriending Matches people experiencing loneliness with trained volunteers to create lasting one-to-one connections, available via telephone or in-person visits. Free to beneficiaries in Brighton & Hove.
• Social Prescribing Link worker service connecting individuals to community groups, activities, and services tailored to their wellbeing needs, helping them build social connections. Embedded in NHS primary care settings in Brighton & Hove.
• Connector Service Short-term, goal-focused support where volunteer connectors help individuals gain confidence to engage with activities and interests in their community. Free to beneficiaries.
• Connection by Letter Pen pal program that fosters meaningful connections between people through monthly correspondence, reducing loneliness for participants in Brighton & Hove.
• Nature Buddies Volunteer buddy service delivered in partnership with the Green Wellbeing Alliance that supports individuals to engage with therapeutic outdoor activities and nature-based groups.
• Vaccine Buddies Companionship service providing volunteer support to accompany and reassure people anxious about attending COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
• Good Gift Guide Charitable marketplace connecting local Brighton & Hove businesses with customers who want to support Together Co's mission; participating businesses donate a percentage of sales (commonly 10%) with a minimum £250/year commitment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of Befriending members reported improved wellbeing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ESTEEM (Shoreham)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Referral partner providing social, wellbeing, volunteering, and mentoring opportunities to young adults aged 14-26.
• AudioActiveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Non-profit music organization creating social change through music, referenced as a community resource for social prescribing clients.
• Brighton & Hove BusesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2025Collaboration for Connect in 25 campaign bus roadshow celebrating Together Co's 25th anniversary.
• Cognitive LawminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Legacy giving campaign partnership with Sussex-based Cognitive Law to guide supporters through will-making process and leaving gifts to Together Co.
• Good Gift Guide Partners (20+ local businesses)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024Over 20 local Brighton & Hove businesses partner through the Good Gift Guide, donating a percentage of sales to Together Co. Partners include Stanley Road Store (10% of profits), Redroaster (30p per drink), Posh Totty (£10 per necklace), and many others in retail, hospitality, and services.
• Brighton GirlminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2023Chosen as Brighton Girl's charity partner, helping connect with new communities across Brighton and Hove.
• RSPCA BrightonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023#Paws2Connect campaign partnership promoting the benefits of connection and companionship between people and animals, backed by celebrity vet Marc Abraham.
• Green Wellbeing AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Together Co is a partner of the Green Wellbeing Alliance to offer Nature Buddies - trained volunteers who accompany and support people to engage with therapeutic outdoor activities like community allotments.
• Loneliness Policy Action GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Together Co CEO serves as member of the Loneliness Policy Action Group for the official parliamentary launch of Loneliness Awareness Week at House of Commons.
• The Grand BrightonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2022Chosen as one of The Grand Brighton's annual charity partners, with the hotel adding £2 discretionary charitable donation to every room booking.
• Duke of Wellington PubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2021Year-long partnership with the Duke of Wellington pub, including charity pub quizzes and fundraising events to support Together Co's work.
• Digital Brighton and HoveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Referral partner where clients can get help from digital champions to learn technology skills for online shopping and video calls.
• Lunch PositiveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership with HIV charity Lunch Positive to launch a befriending scheme for people over 50 living with HIV in Brighton and Hove.
• Bird & Blend Tea CominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2020Quarterly ChariTEA partnership where Bird & Blend Tea Co donates profits to a chosen charity, with Together Co as a selected beneficiary.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Royal Voluntary Service: UK charity supporting the NHS and older people through volunteer-led hospital and community services, including befriending. Comparable in mobilizing large volunteer bases to combat isolation and support healthcare settings.
• Mind (National): UK mental health charity offering peer support, social connection, and wellbeing services through a national network. Comparable in addressing mental wellbeing and isolation, though broader mental health focus than Together Co's loneliness-specific mission.
• Age UK: Largest UK charity for older people, offering information, advice, befriending, and social activities through a national network. Comparable because both serve isolated older adults with befriending-style services, though Age UK operates nationally with a much broader service portfolio.
• Alzheimer's Society: UK charity supporting people with dementia and their carers through services including befriending and dementia-friendly communities. Comparable because Together Co serves dementia patients (e.g., Pam case study) via Befriending.
• British Red Cross: UK humanitarian organization operating community connection, befriending, and support services at scale, including NHS-partnered programs. Comparable in delivering volunteer-driven community support, though operates across multiple program areas including emergency response.

Direct peers

• Independent Age: UK charity offering advice, befriending, and social connection services for older people, particularly those facing later-life challenges. Comparable in its focus on befriending and tackling loneliness among older adults in the UK.
• Re-engage: UK charity dedicated to tackling loneliness and social isolation among older people through befriending services (tea parties, transport to medical appointments, light-hearted phone calls). Directly comparable to Together Co's Befriending and Vaccine Buddy services for elderly beneficiaries.
• The Silver Line Helpline: Free confidential telephone helpline providing friendship, information, and support to older people in the UK. Now operating as part of Age UK, but the direct telephone befriending model closely mirrors Together Co's telephone Befriending service.

Emerging players

• Macmillan Cancer Support: UK charity providing peer support, befriending, and social connection services for people affected by cancer. Comparable in the model of volunteer-driven emotional support and social connection for vulnerable populations.

Others

• Befriending Networks: UK membership body supporting befriending services through quality standards, training, and networking — Together Co is a member and Quality in Befriending Award holder. Comparable as a sector infrastructure organization rather than a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/HelloTogetherCo
• Facebookfacebook.com/HelloTogetherCo
• Instagraminstagram.com/hellotogetherco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/togetherco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Together Co