A TRUSTED Cotswold charity organisation has rebranded its image to make it more recognisable and accessible among those who need it most.

Cotswold Volunteers North has now become Cotswold Friends and will continue supporting its register of more than 1,000 older and vulnerable people with help with transport, friendship, carer respite and community activities which include events and lunch clubs.

Beth Johnson charity manager with Cotswold Friends said: “The demand for our services is growing rapidly and yet research tells us that many older and vulnerable people in the north Cotswolds do not know that we are here and what we have to offer. This was a concern and prompted us to find a web and brand agency that we could work with to re-launch the organisation with a more friendly and accessible image.

"We wanted to do something that was user friendly to those of us who aren’t IT experts, who don’t intuitively know how to navigate around a website, who may need a larger font size and a colour palette that is easier to see. People like me who want to get information easily and quickly without lots of scrolling, pop-ups and advertising.

"At the same time we wanted volunteers to be happy to use the site, to provide our volunteer application forms, training courses, handbooks and newsletters on-line so that we can more easily recruit and support our volunteers. We also wanted to give volunteers the opportunity to chat on-line to each other and build their own friendship and support groups."

Now Media, in Cheltenham, helped produce a dementia-friendly website that concentrated on issues like best colours, font size, visual icons and layout to enable people to easily find the information they need. Thge website will work on any device.

Nick Case, trustee of Cotswold Friends said: “We are delighted with our new brand and website and our print materials will be out soon. Feedback from the people we support, our volunteers and funders, has been very positive."

The new posters and leaflets will soon be in GP surgeries, hospitals, libraries and in the community.