Case study: Strengthening impact for a community interest company
Client: Down to Earth CIC
What we did
We’ve provided hands-on marketing support and guidance for this inspiring Gloucestershire CIC since 2015, including a new website design and build, copywriting, social media management, public relations and awards submissions, event and new product launches and ongoing content creation and maintenance.
The challenge
Down to Earth is an established gardening business as well as a community interest company, running projects such as community market gardens, gardening-on-prescription schemes, food waste reduction programmes, seed banks and educational courses. They needed hands-on support for their marketing and a clear, cohesive way to communicate the breadth of their work while engaging diverse audiences including Gloucestershire residents, funders, partners and the media.
The objectives
- Refresh and professionalise their online presence
- Raise awareness of their community projects and social impact
- Increase media coverage and public engagement
- Strengthen their reputation through awards and recognition
- Plan and execute the launch of each project including community growing schemes, gardening-on-prescription schemes, community allotments, the Stroud Seedbank, the Fruit Exchange, the Local Community Market Gardens and their veg box delivery scheme.
Our strategy
We developed a holistic marketing approach that combined digital, public relations, graphic design and a content strategy to showcase their mission and connect with their audience authentically. We worked with local media to help share their story, highlighting the people behind the projects and the difference they make in the community. By focusing on their message and goals, we helped bring their mission to life and build lasting local support.
The implementation
- Social media – built a consistent presence across channels to highlight community stories and opportunities
- Website – project-managed the full redesign and build, creating new content and managing ongoing updates
- Copywriting – crafted clear, engaging copy across web, print and digital channels
- Public relations – secured features across radio, TV, magazines and newspapers
- Events – coordinated launches and press events to promote key projects
- Awards – managed awards submissions, resulting in numerous wins and commendations
Projects and launches
- The Fruit Exchange (read our blog post about the launch here)
- The Stroud Seed Bank
- Vale Community Hospital Gardening on Prescription and Allotments (read our blog post about the launch here)
- Selsley Community Growing Scheme
- Local Community Market Gardens and Veg Box Scheme
The results
Down to Earth has gone from strength-to-strength over the last 10 years, building its portfolio of gardens, allotments and community growing schemes and launching its new veg box delivery scheme. It now has a professional, engaging online presence that reflects their values and vision. Their media profile has grown significantly, with multiple award wins, increased community participation and stronger recognition as a leader in community gardening and wellbeing projects.
Awards
Winner of two awards at the Stroud Life Awards 2017: https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/business/gallery/stroud-life-awards-2017-pictures-165334
Winner of Stroud Town Council Environment Award 2017: https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/15311347.pictures-seren-levay-12-conquers-fear-of-heights-to-win-stroud-town-council-award/
What they said about working with us
Wyedean Marketing have been brilliant in setting up and delivering our social media – we know a thing or two about plants and fruit trees, but the world of Twitter and Facebook is a different world altogether! Alex’s knowledge and experience has really helped us to get our message out there in a very effective and productive way.
Amanda Godber, Down to Earth