Background

Beechbrae is a woodland-based social enterprise in Blackridge, West Lothian. It runs a variety of woodland and outdoor activities that help promote well-being through nature connections. A multifunctional and beautiful high-spec building with a large hall space, therapy rooms, and kitchen is available for hire. Beechbrae Wood holds an orchard, garden, mixed woodland with walking paths, a labyrinth, a wild pond, and a Woodland Centre.

Need for Support

Beechbrae has a small but dedicated team. They know what they are trying to achieve but sometimes don't have the staffing capacity to undertake different strategic projects while also running the day-to-day activities. This is where Community Enterprise has been able to support Beechbrae over the past 9 years.

What we Did

Between 2015 and 2017, our team supported Beechbrae with the initial options appraisal that would later help them decide if they should purchase the woodland and land they currently occupy. Once the decision had been made to buy the land, we supported them in creating the SCIO and developing their strategy for development and operational plans, giving them a sound footing to develop the project.

Now that they had the land and their strategy, we helped the Beechbrae team develop the marketing and communications strategy for the woodland and the soon-to-be function hall, which would support most of the income generation needed to make the project sustainable.

In 2019, Beechbrae successfully obtained support to rebrand the organisation through Bold Studio's Brand for Growth program.

When the Covid pandemic hit, Beechbrae applied for Adapt and Thrive funding, which required them to examine their business model and determine how to make it more sustainable in a post-pandemic landscape. The application was successful, and we then supported them in implementing the new strategy.

In 2022, through the Just Enterprise program, we also conducted market research on new services, including eco-wedding services. This research showed a market for more paired-back, intimate weddings since the pandemic.

Last year (2023), we worked with Beechbrae to create a Mental Health Consortium in West Lothian.

Outcomes

The support Community Enterprise has provided Beechbrae has seen them purchase the land they now operate from, develop services, create successful grant applications and develop a sustainable business plan.