Ikonografik Design
PR
Ben’s Centre is a Sheffield based charity that helps some of the most vulnerable people in the city, offering them support with substance misuse, alcoholism, homelessness and much more. Established over 25 years ago, the charity’s core values of trust, non-judgement and empathy remain unchanged.
Several hundred people are supported each year by the charity. Part of this support is providing over 2,500 healthy meals every year and offering access to clothing and washing facilities, as well as internet access and activities.
In 2015, Ben’s Centre moved to new premises, a Grade II listed building on North Church Street, in the city centre. As the existing building was unsuitable to provide their services, essential upgrades were required – providing a new purpose-built, commercial kitchen, washing facilities, and a laundry room.
Ikonografik Design, a professionally registered architectural practice, was approached by Ben’s Centre to help design and manage the renovation project on their behalf. Ben’s Centre and Ikonografik Design spent about two years working together, planning and refurbishing the facilities at their new base. Planning Permission, Listed Building and Building Regulations issues meant the project was fairly complex, despite the small project size.
Following the completion of the complex project, Ikonografik Design director, Nathan Oliver, approached Schofield Communications to help provide public relations support to promote the work of the charity and the successful building project.
This included:
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Discussions and interviews with key stakeholders at Ben’s Centre and its building contractors with regards to the best approach to build a news story around the project.
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Production of two press releases:
1) prior to the grand opening, to attract pre-event publicity and journalist attendance.
2) post-event with photos for the general and construction industry press.
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Distribution of the press releases to select media to gain the most effective coverage possible.
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Basic media monitoring services for news hits (Google alerts and manual search).
Credit: Pandora Maund
“We’ve used the services of Schofield Communications a number of times to help promote our services and project successes to the wider world.
"Sam has completed professional press releases and sent these out to local and national media publication organisations such as newspapers and magazines.
"This has resulted in our stories being published and has improved our marketing efforts. Many more people and organisations are now aware of us and how we help our customers.
"This has also saved us time and effort trying to work out how to do it ourselves. The knock-on effect is that we can spend more time doing what we are good at.
"Sam is a nice person to work with, amicable, professional and punctual.”
Nathan Oliver, Director, Ikonografik Design
Key achievements
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​Success in attracting media to the grand opening of the new facilities at Ben’s Centre, including regional television news broadcaster BBC Look North.
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Coverage in the main regional news organisations for Sheffield, including the Sheffield Star, BBC Radio Sheffield and BBC Look North.
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Coverage in construction industry press, including Construction Industry News, with a readership of over 50,000, and the CRASH charity newsletter.
