Community Interest Companies (CIC) are limited companies, with special additional features, created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage.

This is achieved by a 'community interest test' and 'asset lock', which ensure that the CIC is established for community purposes and the assets and profits are dedicated to these purposes.

For SpeakUpCIC our primary purpose (or social objective) is to carry out activities which support people suffering with mental health in the areas of Thanet, Sandwich, Deal, Dover and Ashford. We give a voice to Mental Health Service Users and represent their views at the highest level with the organsations that deliver the actual services.

This means that our members have an opoortunity to shape and develop the help that is available to anyone living with mental ill health in our area. SpeakUpCIC evolved from an organisation called East Kent User Forum, which was established in 1992 and was supported by Kent County Council and Rethink Mental Illness.

Striking out on our own and becoming independent means we will have the freedom and autonomy to develop and shape our workforce, services and projects to ensure we support and deliver much needed services that make a real difference to peoples well-being.