Exploring a Shiatsu Charitable Foundation
The Board of Directors of the Shiatsu Society UK have been reflecting on how we can best support shiatsu into the future — both for our members and for the wider public. One of the ideas we are seriously considering is creating a Shiatsu Charitable Foundation.
Why are we thinking about this?
As a non-profitmaking professional membership body, the Society plays an important role in setting standards, supporting practitioners, promoting shiatsu and representing the profession. But there are limits to what we can do in this form — especially when it comes to fundraising and outreach.
A charitable arm would give us new opportunities. For example, it would allow us to:
-
Apply for charitable funding such as National Lottery grants, charitable trusts, and public donations, which are not accessible to us in our current structure.
-
Develop projects that directly serve the public — such as low-cost or free community shiatsu clinics, outreach programs in schools, or wellbeing workshops for carers and vulnerable groups.
-
Strengthen the public profile of shiatsu, making it part of wider conversations on health and wellbeing.
-
Support education and awareness-raising, helping more people understand and experience shiatsu, including bursaries for studying Shiatsu and subsidised training for under-represented groups or low-income communities.
What would this look like?
We are exploring the creation of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which would be legally separate from the Society but connected in purpose. The CIO would have its own Board of Trustees, made up of some of our current directors alongside new appointments, to bring in fresh skills and perspectives.
How you can help
This is still early days, and before we move further, we’d love to hear from our community:
Do you have experience of setting up or running a charity or CIO? Your guidance would be invaluable. Would you be interested in becoming a Trustee of the new Shiatsu Charitable Foundation? This is a unique chance to shape the future of shiatsu in the UK and to help us reach people who might never otherwise discover its benefits.
If either of these opportunities sparks your interest, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
Together, we can make shiatsu more visible, accessible, and impactful for all.
— The Board of Directors, Shiatsu Society UK
Q&A: Thinking About a Shiatsu Charitable Foundation
What is a CIO?
A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is a legal form for charities. It gives the charity its own legal identity and limited liability, like a company, but is registered and regulated by the Charity Commission.
Why not just do this through the Shiatsu Society?
The Society is a professional membership body, not a charity. That means we can’t apply for charitable grants (like the National Lottery), or run certain public-benefit projects under charity law. A CIO opens up those opportunities.
Will this replace the Society?
No. The Society will remain the professional body for practitioners — setting standards, supporting members. The Foundation would run alongside it, focused on charitable activities that benefit the public and raise awareness.