"Knowledge and reliability combined with expert communications advice"

Ian Walton, Plas Power Adventure

Cheshire Rural Trust

Cheshire Rural Trust is an independent charitable trust set, up in 2002, to help the rural communities of Cheshire rebuild themselves after the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease.

During the process Trustees uncovered the true extent of deprivation and social isolation so decided to continue the charity after their initial work was complete. It now focuses upon providing ongoing support to individuals, businesses and local organisations.

Due North was taken on in April 2007 to help the charity focus its marketing and communications activities to raise its profile and spread the message of its expanded and ongoing work.

As with many charities, the budget was limited and needed maximising making above-the-line advertising uneconomical and demanding a much more imaginative communications plan.

Due North worked closely with Trustees to overhaul its corporate identity and marketing materials to give a dynamic and up-to-date appeal.

Bowel Cancer Screening Programme

Cheshire and Merseyside's NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme offers everyone between the ages of 60 and 69 to be tested for early signs of bowel cancer using a kit sent to their homes.

The problem for the programme was overcoming the 'yuk' factor (testing involves collecting samples of 'poo') so a well-planned and co-ordinated communications campaign was needed to help people understand the importance of overcoming their embarrassment and using the test kit.

Working with Warrington-based designers Dimension Creative and the NHS screening team, a humorous creative campaign was developed.

The strap line 'Taking care of number 1? ...check your number 2s', combined with cartoon characters Jim and Marge, really hit the spot and response rates are among the highest in England.

The campaign now looks set to be picked up by other parts of the NHS throughout the North West.

North West Specialised Commissioning Team

NWSCT is a little-known but vital team within the NHS which commissions diagnostic and treatment services for rare diseases and conditions or those with low patient numbers which require a critical mass of patients in order to ensure services are of the highest quality in terms of safety and cost effectiveness.

In April 2007 the team was expanded to cover the whole of the North West, requiring three smaller teams being brought together and services reviewed.

Due North has supported NWSCT by managing internal and external transition communications, enhancing internal communications to support staff through a period of dramatic change and working within NHS branding rules to develop a unique corporate identity.

We also manage media liaison, frequently dealing with difficult, emotive and sensitive issues, on behalf of the team.

In addition we have been instrumental in driving forward an overhaul of all corporate materials including the website and intranet, plus developing standard templates for document covers and PowerPoint presentations, developing a style guide and writing and producing the Annual Report.