The charitable sector in the UK has grown significantly the last 20 years it is now worth billions of pounds per annum. Those charities that are funded by public sector finance are those that have seen the biggest growth. Public sector funders, such as local authorities and the National Health Service have increasingly seen the financial benefits of sub-contracting key elements of their services. They are able to sub-contract to specialist providers, measure and manage the impact of these organisations and control costs. Mental Health Care and Support is worth an estimated £7 Billion per year and 80% of this funding is sub-contracted to specialist providers, many of whom are charities or third sector organisations. Inevitably as funding opportunities became available, entrepreneurial third sector organisations grew and developed to maximise their chances of securing funding. These charities, also known as not-for-profit organisations have increasingly been expected to become more professional, applying traditional business techniques in order to be accepted as a sub-contractor. They have had to adapt and change their services to secure business in a competitive environment. This study examines how this need to grow, to come professional, creates new and innovative services is balanced with the desire to stay organisations that have a set of core social aims at their heart. It will consider how possible it is to grow into a multi-million pound organisation while still staying true to the desire to offer care and support. The study focuses on mental health charity Making Space
