Born Anxious and Work for Good
Building Community Through Purpose: How Born Anxious Supports Autism Awareness Through Every Sale
For Born Anxious, clothing has always been about creating connection, starting conversations and helping people feel less alone.
Founded by Kellie Barker, Born Anxious is a sensory clothing brand built around supporting people navigating complex lives and experiences. As the business celebrates its tenth year, its mission remains rooted in community, inclusion and making people feel seen.
“We are a community-facing clothing label intent on starting conversations to improve experiences and making people feel less alone while navigating complex lives. It gets lonely.”
That mission naturally led Born Anxious to support Anna Kennedy Online, a UK charity dedicated to supporting autistic individuals and their families through education, advocacy and community-led initiatives.
For Kellie, choosing the charity was an easy decision.
“Anna Kennedy Online has proven results of donations being utilised within our community. There are no paid staff - it is built on charity.”
Founded by autism advocate Anna Kennedy OBE, Anna Kennedy Online works to create greater acceptance and opportunities for autistic people, running awareness campaigns, education programmes and community initiatives including Autism’s Got Talent, which celebrates autistic performers and this year marks its 15th anniversary.
“Charities like AKO who are so visible become family.”
Through Work for Good, Born Anxious has been donating consistently since late 2020, contributing more than £2,300 to charities including Anna Kennedy Online and previously the National Autistic Society. The business currently donates £1 from every sale, ensuring that every purchase directly contributes to supporting the autism community.
Although like many small independent brands Born Anxious faces challenges competing for visibility online, giving remains an important part of the business model.
“Our sales are extremely low right now due to not being able to find visibility online, but the premise remains £1 per sale.”
The partnership is promoted across social media, where Born Anxious regularly highlights the charity and its ongoing work. Customers respond positively, recognising that their purchases help support causes that genuinely matter to the community.
This year, the brand is also hoping to support Autism’s Got Talent as Anna Kennedy Online celebrates fifteen years of raising awareness and creating opportunities for autistic performers.
Supporting charities has also helped reinforce trust and credibility as the business continues to grow.
“It’s great to associate with Work for Good as a small independent - it gives us peace of mind that we are covered legally.”
For Kellie, charitable giving isn’t separate from the business. It sits at the heart of what Born Anxious stands for: creating a brand that supports its community while helping important conversations happen.
Key takeaway:
Born Anxious shows how businesses built around community and lived experience can turn everyday sales into long-term support for charities creating meaningful change where it matters most.
To learn more about the Born Anxious project please visit their website and follow them on instagram