About

About Us

how it all began...

Kindfulness Coffee Club was formally known as Tea and Empathy which was part of Compass Counselling based in Liverpool.

The original founders were Neville Black (Compass Chair of Trustees) and Tony Medlicott (CEO of Compass)

Tea and Empathy was situated adjacent to Compass Counselling Charity shop and served its first cup of tea Monday 2nd December 2013.

The original idea was to support the local community’s mental health needs around a cafe environment, offering a welcoming, warm friendly environment, a cuppa and a chat with additional access to groups and counselling services supplied by Compass.

In June 2016 Compass and Tea and Empathy parted company but a few Trustees really believed in what Tea and Empathy was trying to deliver and set up ‘Kindfulness Coffee Club’ on 23rd June 2016.

Neil Callan became the Chair of Trustees and set the original foundations of Kindfulness Coffee Club.

In June 2019 the Trustees had to take the very hard decision to close the café element of Kindfulness due to financial issues.

Ironically once the café element of Kindfulness ceased we were granted Charitable status.

Thankfully with the support of the local community and local funders primarily L23 and John Moores foundation we survived and grew into what Kindfulness is today.

Staff at Kindfulness...

I started at Kindfulness, formerly Tea and Empathy on 2nd December 2013.
My original role was in the café supporting the then Manager Michael Medlicott in the kitchen.
I hadn’t worked for 13 years due to health issues, and this was me tentatively testing my way back into employment.
As I carried on my journey at KCC I felt a closer connection with the customers and trying to support them with their daily issues. I started to develop the Wellbeing side of Tea and Empathy.
 I have been involved with most, if not all the Wellbeing activities over the years, developing new ways of engaging with the local community trying to offer support, a non-judgemental listening ear, with the purpose of creating an environment where everyone is welcome and accepted as they are.
Our vision is of a community connected by Kindness where there is acceptance, care and hope is the basis for all that we offer at Kindfulness.
As the KCC Administrator I am responsible for managing office operations, providing administrative support, and ensuring efficient workflow within KCC. This involves keeping up to date with accounts, budgeting and tracking finances for evaluation. My job also includes recording things such as donations, volunteer and staff hours, having a financial overview of the functioning of Kindfulness Coffee Club. 
I also enjoy socialising with all the regulars and new comers of KCC!
I have been part of the Kindfulness family for the past four years, and I feel privileged to have grown alongside the organisation and the community we support. I am now the Wellbeing Manager, overseeing and developing our wellbeing programme and working to ensure that the support we offer continues to meet the needs of our community. Wellbeing is at the heart of what we do, and I am passionate about creating a safe, welcoming space where people feel listened to, valued, and accepted. We are proud to support people from migrant and refugee backgrounds who have made their homes in our community, as well as people who have lived here for many years. Our community is wonderfully diverse, with people joining us from all over the world, bringing with them their own experiences, cultures, and stories. Where you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health, housing, debt, cost-of-living pressures, or other challenges that may be affecting your wellbeing, I can help you explore what support might be available and signpost you to relevant local organisations and services. I oversee our wellbeing programme and can help you find the groups, activities, and other support at KCC that may be right for you. I am always happy to have a chat and, where appropriate, arrange a 1:1 meeting if you would like some time to talk. I love working at Kindfulness and being part of the community in and around KCC. Over the past four years, I have seen first-hand what makes KCC so special. Our staff, volunteers and the whole KCC family all contribute to making it a place of welcome, connection, and acceptance for everyone. 

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Since starting my journey volunteering at Kindfulness, helping to support the wellbeing with task such as poster making, support with IT and simply talking to people. Getting to know the people and understanding the community has and continues to be one of the highlights of my experience.
In September 2024, I became part of the wellbeing team as a paid member of staff with Sarah the Wellbeing manager as support along the way.  I love my role at Kindfulness and the people and families we all work together to support. Through my time here, I have learned that supporting someone holistically is one of the best ways to make a difference. Everyone is different, but we all need connection, company and support, with someone to simply just listen. 
Kindfulness is a family that I now feel honoured to be a part of. I would recommend anyone to come and experience a day at Kindfulness and see the wonderful community for themselves. 
From 2003 I’ve worked in education and children’s services both in the UK and middle east. 
Since becoming Babykind Manager at Kindfulness in February 2025, I’ve had the privilege of supporting families across our community from pregnancy onwards. My role is all about making sure parents feel welcomed, listened to, and able to access the practical and emotional support they need during what can often be a challenging time.
I’m passionate about helping families build confidence and feel connected, whether that’s through providing essential baby items, offering guidance, or coordinating and delivering our Babygroup and School Readiness sessions.
I also love working closely with our wonderful team and supporters to ensure Babykind continues to meet the needs of local families. This includes sorting and distributing donations, sourcing emergency essentials, developing partnerships.
For me, the heart of Babykind is ensuring that every family is treated with kindness, dignity, and understanding. Seeing the difference that everyone at KCC can make during a family’s journey is what makes this role so rewarding.I’ve workI
I began volunteering at Kindfulness Coffee Club in November 2024. From there, I served in the cafe, where I engaged in activities, served tea / coffee and got to know the heart of KCC: the local community.
Upon completing my degree in July 2026, I stepped into the role of Babykind Assistant; utilising my experience gained whilst volunteering and during my Law degree. This role gave me the privilege of supporting families throughout the Sefton area by providing baby essentials and support alongside Justine, the Babykind Manager.
Working in this role has allowed me the opportunity to truly understand the strength of community, and the necessity of resources like those supplied at KCC. I am passionate about working closely with families within the local community and creating meaningful connections with others- so every day at KCC is rewarding!
I started at NU2U charity shop, formerly Compass charity charity shop on 15th March 2011 after being a carer for my mother for 10 years, until she passed away in 2010. Returning to the workplace seemed quite daunting but with the help and support of the CEO and trustees the transition back to work was less anxious than I anticipated. 
The shops connection with the local community was instant and we still continue to aim to provide new and pre-loved good quality clothing at affordable prices. 
I started at NU2U charity shop, formerly Compass charity shop, in 2015. As a single father of three boys, I was looking for volunteering opportunities after my children began school. I volunteered for a few years gaining qualifications in Electrical PAT Testing and for the past 11 years I have been a paid member of staff mainly dealing in PAT Testing On and Off Site and as we are a part of the reduce re-use recycle programme.