Member Article

Hub of Hope Celebrates Six Months with Christmas Poster Campaign

The Liverpool-based creators of national mental health database, The Hub of Hope have launched a poster campaign to raise awareness of the vital resource in the lead-up to Christmas 2017, six months on from its launch.

Mashbo, creative designers and trustees of Chasing the Stigma (CTS) – the charity behind the web-based app – have funded the fly poster campaign, which will promote the Hub of Hope in Liverpool city centre using funds ordinarily reserved for client Christmas cards and gifts.

The 50 posters carry details on how to access support via the resource, alongside the striking yet simple message that “the doors are open” to thousands of grassroots and national organisations 24/7 throughout the Christmas period.

The decision to launch the campaign was made based on research from multiple sources including Rethink Mental Health, which revealed that the pressure to be cheerful and splash out on presents can cause mental strain, exacerbating symptoms such as panic attacks, depression, low moods, sleeping problems and cause thoughts of self-harm and suicide.

Since its launch in July 2017 the web-based app, which brings help and support together for all mental health issues in one place, has received almost 10,000 unique visits from 751 different cities and towns across 59 countries.

The digital platform has been designed to revolutionise the way people seek help for their mental health difficulties by using the device’s location to discover the nearest services to its user, as well as national organisations.

The campaign reiterates the message from CTS Founder and Liverpool comedian, Jake Mills that “there is always hope”.

Jake said: “Christmas can be an extremely difficult time, especially for those who are affected by mental health issues.

“Since its launch in July we have seen an amazing response to the Hub of Hope and the Christmas we want to ensure that people know there is a place they can go to easily find access to free and immediate help available.”

The launch of the poster campaign also comes in the same week of the first anniversary of CTS becoming a limited charity.

Gavin Sherratt, Managing Director of Mashbo, said: “The initial response to the Hub of Hope has been incredible and we are proud to be lending even further support to this fantastic resource. As a business we are focused on using technology for good and the Hub of Hope has been a fantastic way for our team to use its skills to really help people, especially at this difficult time of year.”

The Hub of Hope database, which the first of its kind in the UK, has been publicly commended by mental health charities such as the Samaritans and public figures including Jeremy Corbyn and Davina McCall. It has also recently been shortlisted in the Best Digital Marketing Campaign for the Third Sector at the Northern Digital Awards 2018. The web app is free to use and also free for organisations to register.

The Hub of Hope in Numbers

• 9,799 unique visits • 38,558 page views • Accessed from 751 different towns and cities • Used in 59 different countries • Highest users equally split across three age ranges 35 – 44 (24.71%) 25 – 34 (24.70%) 45 – 54 (24.67%)

Top Ten Locations Accessed

1. London
2. Liverpool
3. Birmingham
4. Manchester
5. Leeds
6. Preston
7. Birkenhead
8. Chester
9. Nottingham
10. Glasgow

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nikki Girvan .