The problem
Merton Mencap is an independent charity supporting people with a learning disability and/or autism, along with their parents and carers, across the London Borough of Merton.
Having supported the charity for more than sixteen years, I was asked to create the second generation of its website. The previous site had served the organisation well, but it had become dated and no longer reflected the breadth of services, activities and support now provided by the charity.
The challenge was to create a modern, accessible website that would better communicate the charity’s work, make information easier to find and encourage greater engagement from service users, families, volunteers and supporters.
The solution
Drawing on my long-standing knowledge of the organisation, I designed and developed a completely new bespoke WordPress website that reflects how the charity has evolved over the years.
The content was carefully reorganised to improve navigation and make it easier for visitors to find the support, activities and information relevant to them. The refreshed design provides a more welcoming and accessible experience, while the flexible content management system allows the charity to keep the website up to date as services continue to develop.
Because I already understood the organisation, its audiences and the way it communicates, I was able to focus on creating a website that genuinely supports the charity’s objectives rather than simply replacing what had gone before.
The result
Merton Mencap now has a modern, accessible website that reflects the vital work it carries out within the local community and provides a far better platform for communicating with the people who rely on its services.
The project also represents more than sixteen years of working together and the successful delivery of a second-generation website, demonstrating the value of a long-term partnership with a web designer who understands how an organisation grows and changes over time.
The charity’s feedback sums up the relationship perfectly:
“It’s a pleasure working with Adam – always reliable, hard-working and flexible. We wouldn’t have our high-quality website if it wasn’t for Adam’s knowhow. He’s done an absolutely first class job.”
Andrew Whittington
CEO, Merton Mencap