Our objectives
As a Community Interest Company (CIC) we have whats know as a Community Interest Statement that sets out what it is that we are trying to achieve for the benefit of our community. You can see a copy of the document filed at Companies House but here are the activities and benefits we aim to achieve:
| Activity |
How it benefits our community |
| Free community peer to peer groups |
Outdoor swimming is known to have many benefits for mental and physical health. Our volunteer led peer to peer groups provide a way for people to participate as part of a community where they feel supported and encouraged. We believe that the community element is one of the most powerful elements as it is also combatting loneliness and isolation. All members of our Bluetit community will be treated equally and fairly, irrespective of their sex, marital status, civil partnership status, trans-gender status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, national origin, culture, religion, religious belief, age, or disability. As stated within the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. |
| Outdoor Swim Events |
The Bluetits aims to host outdoor swim events that allow people to participate in outdoor swimming in a non-competitive environment. There is a lack of non-competitive events for those people who are new to outdoor swimming or for people who have traditionally never taken part in any sporting activities. The events will provide an opportunity for participation, a sense of achievement and community. These events will generate revenue for the organisation to support the non-income generating activities. |
| Supporting people to take their swim journey further |
We have members who have decided to take on swim challenges that would have traditionally been outside their comfort zones. We aim to have a presence at major cold water swim events to support those people as they are not considered ‘athletes’ by the traditional sporting community. These people are pushing the boundaries and proving that some things, they thought might not be achievable, are achievable with support. This is a non-profit area and projects are taken on when funding allows, when they can be self-supporting, or when surpluses in the organisation are available. An example of this is supporting a team of 80 novice swimmers to take part in the IWSA Winter Swim Championships in 2024 |
| Water Safety & Swim Coaching |
Delivering water safety training in a fun but informative way. There is a lack of water safety training aimed at absolute beginners that teaches them how to access and enjoy the water safely. Our plan to deliver this across our communities will bring like-minded people together to learn, and to share that information with friends and family as well as their swim community. We believe that teaching our community will have a ripple effect and increase knowledge in their wider local communities. |
| Raising awareness of the joys of outdoor swimming and its benefits |
Including activities such as: Participating in requests from media outlets to talk about outdoor swimming and its benefits. Speaking at events about outdoor swimming and safety. Sharing information with our community. Participating in water safety research and cold-water swimming research. |
| Online Retail Activities |
Through our online shop we will sell both fun and size inclusive (where possible) products aimed at the outdoor swimmer. 100% of the profits from retail will be used to support our running costs and non-income generating projects. We also sell swim challenges to encourage community participation through gamification and fun. |
