Kent Spiritual Healers Association (later changed to Kent Healers Association) was founded in 1947/48.

It came about because some churches, who were interested in Healing, wished to form an association for the promotion of Healing. It was Harry Edwards’ demonstrations at that time which prompted this move to form our own County Association. Representatives from various churches in Kent attended a meeting. 

This meeting discussed the possibility of forming a County Association for those interested in Healing. Horace Clayton suggested splitting Kent into areas; he offered his Church, Kirby Lane, Canterbury, for the first meeting. At this meeting Kent was divided into eight areas. A Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer were elected at the meeting and a representative for each of the eight areas.

A large Healing demonstration with Harry Edwards was organised, this was held at the Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, in 1952.  

In 1954, Harry Edwards met the Chairs of the Kent Healers and Essex Healers at Burrows Lea, Shere, Surrey, to discuss the formation of a National Healing Association.  This he achieved, with the help of Gordon Turner and others. Joanne Alder (who is still our Association Honorary Life President) and Miss Bines were part of this group. The Association became known as the National Federation of Spiritual Healers, (N.F.S.H.) the County Associations to form the membership.  Kent and Essex were the first two County Association members. The N.F.S.H. held meetings for the County representatives to attend and formulate policies.

The Counties’ voting power was related to the number of its members.  Later the N.F.S.H. bought premises at Loughton, Essex, which became the National Headquarters for the N.F.S.H. with Harry as its President. As healing progressed, the N.F.S.H. allowed individual members to join the Federation. After Harry passed to higher life, (29th May 1893 - 7th December 1976) there was dissension between individual members and the County Associations over voting rights. This mainly came about because individual members disliked the County Associations’ right to have more votes, even though the Counties were representing large numbers of members.

At a meeting held early 1977. It was put that the N.F.S.H. should accept only individual members, even though the N.F.S.H. was set up as an umbrella group by the County Associations. This caused the withdrawal of the County Associations from the N.F.S.H. Later in 1977, representatives of the County Associations met in London to discuss what to do with their Associations now that they were isolated from the N.F.S.H.

From this meeting the umbrella group known as the British Alliance of Healing Associations was formed in1977.  This title, abbreviated, is known today as B.A.H.A. and a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer were elected from the County Associations. A representative from each Association was also elected to attend meetings, with the power to vote on any policy put forward by B.A.H.A.

Today B.A.H.A. is still our umbrella group and handles legal matters for County Associations.  Kent is a founder member of B.A.H.A.

Harry Edwards gave the first public healing demonstration organised by the Kent Healers Association in 1952 and gave one of his last public demonstrations which was organised by the Kent Healers Association in 1976. A number of K.H.A. healer members were privileged to be invited on to the platform with him. It was held at Willsons Hall Ramsgate Kent in October 1976. Harry passed to higher life December 1976. Between those years the K.H.A. had a strong connection with Harry and his healing ministry.

Kent Healers Association founded in 1947/48 achieved charity status in April 1980. Keith Ottewell, the K.H.A. secretary at that time was instrumental in achieving this. B.A.H.A. was formed in 1977 and achieved charity status in 1982.

Another milestone has been added to the history. Due to the expansion of members in the U.K. and within Europe a name change has been proposed to recognise this. A resolution was made and accepted by all at the A.G.M. 8th October 2005 that Kent Healers Association will now be known as Kent International Healing Association.