[Anima]

Hi all :)

I hope everyone is doing well in these times. While being self isolated it's really got me thinking about what I want to do with my life. Ultimately I'd love to start a non-profit for people struggling with mental health/suicial thoughts/depression/anxiety/abuse at home.

Being a suffer with mental health myself, I know how hard this can be and the lack of resources/facilities there are. I've done charity work for a good few years and it's the most rewarding job i've ever been at. I loved every moment i was there for years.

I'll try keep it short and sweet

Please note i've not planned this in detail since I have no idea how to take this forward or if it's even a good idea so I thought to ask you lovely people


Basic Idea (It could be written better, I apologise.):
Have gaming/internet cafes available for everyone around the UK with access to free therapy and other bits. (I was thinking about having a membership scheme to help fund them? People can apply for free membership so they can have access to everything & a few extras)

Why gaming/internet cafes?
It gives people a safe play to go, whether they have abusing parents/spouce or are having dark times and need people to be around them and a good place for them to make possible friendships. I don't know the legalities or whether it would even be viable but maybe a few rooms/sleeping areas for those who need a safe place to stay

What would they offer?

• Free & Discounted Councelling/Therapy (I suppose it will presume on funding, Ideally free but i guess i have to be realistic?)
  
• Food & Drink
  
• I'd like to have an emergency number people can call about self harm/suicide
  
• Everyone would be treated equailly whether they have the free funded membership or are just general public paying to use the services
  
• Study areas and resources (laptops, printer, paper, pens, books etc) available for kids (Parents can't afford it/abusive parents/parents just don't care)
  

This is just a brief idea of what i'd love to be able to do, I'd love some feedback on it and what I could improve & add.

Questions I have to help get this going:

• How would I start even getting funding to do something like this?
  
• What can I do now to start
  
• Should it be a Charity/Non-profit or a for-profit business that donates the profits to fund this?
  
• Do you think something like this would be able to sustain for the first couple years while it gets going
  

Thanks for taking your time to read this, sorry if it's not posted in the right place.

[Cyam]

I like the idea, but I don't think you've posted this question to a correct forum. Try Reddit for example, I'm sure you will receive much more helpful answers rather than people LQ posting going for lounge award.

[Anima]

I like the idea, but I don't think you've posted this question to a correct forum. Try Reddit for example, I'm sure you will receive much more helpful answers rather than people LQ posting going for lounge award.

Aye i've made a post under /r/advice on reddit since I can't make a post on charity since ive not got 300 comment karma >.>

[Theocritus]

I've always been wary of non-profits and the like. even with the noblest goal i feel it is rife for corruption or misuse

[Anima]

I've always been wary of non-profits and the like. even with the noblest goal i feel it is rife for corruption or misuse

I think the main misconception with non-profits is that people don't expect the staff to be paid, plus i think anything can be corrupted or misued? Take free samples for example 🤣

[Theocritus]

I think the main misconception with non-profits is that people don't expect the staff to be paid, plus i think anything can be corrupted or misued? Take free samples for example 🤣

true, i just have bad experiences with them historically

[Anima]

true, i just have bad experiences with them historically

That's fair, I think they're pretty highly regulated in the UK. Ive never had a bad experience with them personally

[Perileos]

How would I start even getting funding to do something like this?
It is highly unrealistic, requiring high upfront costs in a business that isn't commercial. Although local governments might grant a subsidy which will never be enough to break even. Thus, you would have to look to other means of obtaining funding. Donations are risky because you are dependable on externalities. You said a membership idea; yet kids can apply to obtain a free membership? E.g. supervisors check if a kid deserves free membership or not?

What can I do now to start?
I would read upon what your local government does to help kids in need, see what subsidies they grant, what NFP organisations they support and so on.

Should it be a Charity/Non-profit or a for-profit business that donates the profits to fund this?
I think you would barely make any profit with this business model, therefore I think a for-profit business is too ambitious.

Do you think something like this would be able to sustain for the first couple years while it gets going?
Work together with an financial advisor or account to come up with a master budget and predicted sales and other means over income.

[Anima]

[quote='Perileos' pid='59627243' dateline='1586724204']
You said a membership idea; yet kids can apply to obtain a free membership? E.g. supervisors check if a kid deserves free membership or not?

I was thinking something along the lines of an application of some kind

Ya i totally agree, its very ambitious but something i'd love to be able to do

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[Perileos]

You said a membership idea; yet kids can apply to obtain a free membership? E.g. supervisors check if a kid deserves free membership or not?

I was thinking something along the lines of an application of some kind

Ya i totally agree, its very ambitious but something i'd love to be able to do

So what are you waiting on?

[Anima]

So what are you waiting on?

Idk where to start haha, Like would this be something I should try and kickstarter?

[Perileos]

Idk where to start haha, Like would this be something I should try and kickstarter?

I would look into government subsidaries first, other foundations perhaps that can help you start up.

[Boil]

This is an amazing idea! I hope to see this up and going in the future.

[Dorrance]

Go in with good intentions and focus on the project. Only have people on board that sees the same vision as you.