A leading charity needed to undertake a wide-ranging consultation about the future viability of a residential facility for people with learning disabilities. This development – and the possibility that the residents might need to move to different homes – would prove difficult for the families of people supported by the facility, many of whom had lived there for many years.

Working with the Board of Trustees and Executive Team, I helped to develop and implement a detailed, multi-layered communications strategy for each stage of the consultation process. This considered the needs of all stakeholders, including the residents of the facility, their families, staff, the local community, interested media and statutory agencies.

The communications approach ensured that everyone involved in the consultation received timely and appropriate updates, helping to mitigate people’s concerns and reassuring them about the future as much as possible.  I supported the charity over many months with strategic advice, written materials for internal and external audiences, media relations handling and media training for staff.