Friendship Lab

Charity Number: 1206905
Type: Non-profit organization

Overview

Friendship Lab is a UK-based charity that aims to empower adults with the wisdom and skills to make their friendships thrive. It was recently registered as a charity, focusing on addressing the pressing issues of loneliness and decreasing mental health through unique initiatives.

Mission

Friendship Lab's mission is to provide adults with the necessary tools to cultivate and nurture strong friendships. This is achieved through evidence-based courses, media engagement, and thought leadership, as well as accessible research. Their primary goal is to ensure that every person has meaningful relationships and can counter the challenges of loneliness and declining mental wellbeing.

Vision

The charity envisions a world where everyone has at least three "2am friends" – individuals they can rely on, grow with, and share life experiences. These friends are people you can call at any time, even in the middle of the night when emergencies arise.

Activities

• Courses and Training: Friendship Lab offers a six-session evidence-based friendship skills course. This course was piloted in 2023 with participants from four countries and showed significant positive outcomes, including increased intentionality in building friendships, relational resilience, and improved self-esteem and social confidence.
• Media Projects: The charity engages in media initiatives to promote its mission and reach a broader audience.
• Research: Friendship Lab conducts research to better understand and address the challenges of loneliness and friendship in adulthood.

Leadership and Foundation

The organization is led by Sheridan Voysey, who brings extensive experience in media and personal development. Voysey has been featured in numerous international media outlets and has written several books on personal development and similar topics. The charity is in the process of expanding its team and establishing partnerships with various organizations to further its mission.

Funding

Friendship Lab seeks funding primarily through grants, corporate donations, and public support. The goal is to provide its courses and resources at a price point that is accessible to all.

Operations

Currently, there is significant interest in Friendship Lab's work in countries such as the UK, US, and Australia. The organization plans to create an online platform to serve these regions and beyond. Volunteer opportunities will also be available as it grows into a movement focused on flourishing friendships.

[1] https://www.friendshiplab.org [2] https://www.friendshiplab.org/about/ [3] https://www.sheridanvoysey.com/the-friendship-lab-story/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5223613/charity-overview [5] https://www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/friendshiplab