Blue Space Highland

Blue Space Highland is a charity that provides watersports wellbeing activities across communities in the Scottish Highlands. 

The group were largely grant-funded but understood that recurrent project funding may not last forever. In order to become more financially sustainable, the group looked to start trading activity but needed advice on how to go about this.

Through Accelerate, we explored how Blue Space Highland can deliver and grow its activities in a sustainable way.

We reviewed its current constitution and explored various legal structures, including the option of trading as a charity and how different income streams could fit within its existing legal set-up.

We then identified the core systems needed to support growth, including administration, marketing and financial management. We also provided further guidance on funding, employing staff and the key building blocks required to operate effectively as a social enterprise.

Additionally, we explored options for sustainable project delivery, comparing in-house delivery with using freelancers and outlining the practical implications of each approach.

Thanks to their Accelerate support, Blue Space Highland had the information and advice they needed to empower their board to take the next steps forward.

They decided to retain their current constitution and outlined plans to eventually employ a member of staff and purchase equipment, enabling them to offer kayaking and similar wellbeing and recreational courses as a source of income.

Since then, the board has recruited new trustees and is well on its way to developing a sustainable way forward, with continued support and guidance from Accelerate.