Our Story

“It is easier to build strong children than repair broken adults” 

Fredrick Douglass

Our project began as an outreach venture of Dolphin House Children’s Clinic Charity, Brighton.  For the past 9 years we have provided evaluated therapeutic support for the mental and emotional needs of school-aged children, their families and their schools.

“Flexibility is the key to stability”

John Wooden

We make thorough assessments of the individual needs of a child, their parent or family and put together a unique therapeutic package for them.

The work is carried out in schools and accessible, local venues which reduces the number of missed appointments and removes some of the challenges for families in attending therapy.

“It takes a village to raise a child”

African Proverb

We believe that children do not exist alone, rather they grow up in a family, community and educational system which all impact on their mental and emotional wellbeing and  development.

Our work has always emphasised the need to work within the systems around a child, whether that is working therapeutically with the parents / carers and children together. Providing therapy for the family as a whole or offering parents / carers their own individual therapy.

We also offer training and consultation to school staff who often have to navigate very challenging behaviours and situations with children and their families at school.

In February 2020 we evolved and set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC), Held in Mind.

As a CIC we are underpinned by an ethical and not-for-profit philosophy that means we try to make our services accessible to as many children and their families as possible.

“What distinguishes one child from another isn’t ability but access. Access to education, opportunity and love”

Lauryn Hill.

We offer therapy based on someone’s mental and emotional need rather than their ability to pay for it. So far, the funding for the school-based service has come from school budgets themselves however we are actively applying for funding to expand and grow the service into the future.

Our work with parents / carers and family groups is either free or at a reduced cost.