The Compassionate Mind Foundation
Charity 1120364
Overview
Summary
The Compassionate Mind Foundation appears to operate less as a direct-service mental health charity than as specialist infrastructure for a therapeutic field. It connects research, professional training, peer networks and public-facing resources around Compassion Focused Therapy and Compassionate Mind Training. Its role is distinctive because it combines stewardship of a named approach with efforts to widen access through free materials, scholarships and international networks, while much of its visible delivery is paid professional education.
Operational geography
Coverage: International
Operational areas:
- City Centre
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
City Centre
Confidence: medium
Direct evidence shows that the Foundation is currently organising its 2026 international conference and associated pre-conference workshops at Millennium Point, Birmingham city centre. This is a time-limited, scheduled delivery location rather than evidence of a permanent Birmingham service base; the organisation states that final event and venue details may change.
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation, CMF Conference 2026 webpage
The Foundation describes its 2026 international conference as taking place in Birmingham and names Millennium Point, Birmingham as the conference venue. - The Compassionate Mind Foundation, CMF Conference 2026 webpage
The page states that pre-conference workshops on 12 October will take place at the conference venue, alongside face-to-face conference attendance and a livestream option. - Charity Commission for England and Wales, governance record for charity 1120364
The Charity Commission records that the charity does not own or lease land or property, supporting the interpretation that Millennium Point is a hired event venue rather than a Foundation-operated Birmingham site.
Remaining uncertainties
- The Birmingham activity evidenced is a scheduled, time-limited conference and workshop programme in October 2026, not proof of year-round delivery, a permanent office, or a locally based service in Birmingham.
- No evidence reviewed identifies a permanent Foundation site in Birmingham.
- There is no direct evidence of regular neighbourhood-based delivery, Birmingham-specific beneficiaries, or material operational partnerships with Birmingham organisations beyond use of the conference venue and associated event locations.
- The organisation's overall operational identity is international rather than neighbourhood-, district- or Birmingham-citywide: its official website describes international affiliate centres, supervision networks and an international practitioner and researcher community. Birmingham appears to be one event location within that wider footprint.
- The conference webpage says event and venue details may be changed or cancelled, so delivery at the stated Birmingham venue remains subject to confirmation.
Additional evidence needed
- Confirmation after October 2026 that the conference and workshops were delivered at Millennium Point as scheduled.
- A current programme or annual report identifying any recurring in-person training, commissioned work, research activity or partner-led delivery in Birmingham.
- Evidence of any Birmingham-based staff, leased premises, satellite office, or continuing local partnership, if such arrangements exist.
Areas of work
- Education/training
- Other Charitable Purposes
- The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
- People With Disabilities
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Acts As An Umbrella Or Resource Body
- Makes Grants To Individuals
- Makes Grants To Organisations
- Other Charitable Activities
- Provides Services
- Sponsors Or Undertakes Research
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A field-building organisation, not primarily a frontline provider
The available evidence suggests that CMF’s central operating model is to strengthen the capability and coherence of the CFT/CMT field: developing practitioners, convening researchers and maintaining networks, rather than directly delivering ongoing support to a defined client group.
Why it matters
This clarifies where its influence may lie. Its effect may be multiplied through professionals and partner organisations, but direct benefit to people experiencing shame-based difficulties is likely to depend substantially on how others apply the training.
Show evidence
“CMF describes itself as the home of Compassion Focused Therapy and Compassionate Mind Training, offering training, research, conferences, affiliate centres, supervision networks and special interest groups.”
Source:Organisation“The charity acts as an umbrella or resource body, provides services, sponsors or undertakes research, and makes grants.”
Source:Charity Commission
It combines specialist ownership with broad applicability
CMF appears to be organised around a specific therapeutic model, but is actively extending that model into varied clinical and social contexts, including psychosis, pain, forensics, perinatal loss, cancer and trauma.
Why it matters
This suggests a strategy of diffusion rather than narrow specialisation: CMF may become a bridge between compassion science and multiple services, though evidence is not available on which applications are most established or effective.
Show evidence
“Training is advertised for psychosis, pain, forensics, perinatal loss and trauma, cancer patients and survivors, and shame-based trauma and complex PTSD.”
Source:Organisation“The charity’s objects include scientific understanding and application of compassion and compassionate mind training for shame-based difficulties.”
Source:Charity Commission
Access is being addressed within a partly fee-based model
There is a visible tension between paid workshops, diplomas and membership, and CMF’s efforts to offer free guided practices, freely usable research scales, donation-based events and an inclusion fund for scholarships and research.
Why it matters
This is important for understanding both sustainability and equity. CMF may use professional income to support wider access, but the available evidence does not show how far cost remains a barrier or how inclusion funding is allocated.
Show evidence
“Workshop prices range from suggested donations to £350, and annual membership costs £65.”
Source:Organisation“CMF offers freely accessible guided practices and research scales, and its Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Fund offers workshop and conference scholarships and research funding.”
Source:Organisation
- How much of CMF’s income, grants and activity is directed to public benefit beyond professional training.
- Whether training produces measurable changes in practice or outcomes for intended beneficiaries.
- Which international affiliates and partner organisations are active, and how reciprocal those relationships are.
Remaining uncertainties
- Annual reports and accounts showing income sources, grant-making, scholarship numbers and spending priorities.
- Outcome evaluations of training, research projects and public resources.
- A current map of affiliate centres, supervision networks, special interest groups and delivery partners.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
The Foundation promotes wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of Compassion Focused Therapy and compassionate mind training. It supports research and provides trainings (including workshops, conferences and diploma) as well as resources and opportunities for professional community networking and general public support.
Charity objects
TO PROMOTE THE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF GOOD HEALTH THROUGH THE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION OF COMPASSION AND, IN ADDITION, TO INTRODUCE THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF COMPASSIONATE MIND TRAINING FOR SHAME BASED DIFFICULTIES.