Blue Space Highland (BSH) is in the first year of providing mental wellbeing support by giving our users a chance to engage in blue space activities.  So far our feedback tells us we are meeting this aim “Great for mental health, coaches were very understanding and made me feel safe" and “It was amazing.  I felt supported, listened to and encouraged.  It inspired me to re-engage with this wonderful sport.”

We have been contacting local community groups as well as GP practices and specifically working with the Community Link Worker (CLW) to take referrals for people struggling with social isolation, low mood, or social anxiety.   We want to reach people who ‘just get on with it’ and put the welfare of others ahead of themselves. Single parents, carers, emergency workers, low-income families are all examples of people who focus their lives to making everything better for everyone but themselves.  We want to support them with their own mental health challenges.  Our service users have told us they want to be outdoors but are unsure or lacking the confidence to know where to start

We have a process from referral to a water based well being activity through engaging with our service users and tailoring it to their individual needs.  We are keeping those referred to us at the centre of all we do, and asking for their opinions about the activities, we will be able to develop as a charity that is person-centred and sustainable. 

We are learning as we go from feedback on all aspects of the pathway and will continue to develop and enhance what we do. We are tracking how they felt before they engaged with us, and following the activity.  See what one of our service used has said

“My session at bluespace was amazing. Being out on the water freed my mind completely, beforehand I was having a rough day and had been crying before I arrived and was feeling pretty miserable. To start having a chat and getting to know each other distracted me then getting out on the water my thoughts washed away in it and I my mind was completely free from them and I felt at peace. I could have stayed out there all day. It was bliss.”

We promote self-management, helping to achieve a balance between work and relaxation, and towards becoming healthier and happier. Being on or near water is the perfect place to start and we are encouraged by the feedback we have received.

“I felt like a new woman, like an inspired, newer, confident and braver version of myself. I would recommend this to anyone who is in need of time out and it is wonderful that you can partake of what you wish, in your own time and at your own pace. So many people would benefit from this and thank you for the time you gave to me and for encouraging me - I will re-start my own paddleboarding journey with renewed vigour and self-belief.”

And of course, BSH believes that if we are in the outdoors we must all become stewards and protectors of nature, thus promoting an awareness and care for the natural environment. It is great to have feedback that prompts this “I absolutely loved the relaxation section at the end, as well as the paddleboarding itself.  The seal was an added bonus!”

We cannot do this alone so it's great to be a partner with Paddle Scotland and share what we are doing.  We are beginning to work with other providers who are experienced in or have a passion for helping people with mental health struggles which will help us build a network and support more people being in or on the water.   

We would love to hear from you if you can help in supportive, inclusive mindful water-based activities.

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Watch this great video by the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland about Blue Space Highland.