The Hive · Charity
A charity whose own community didn’t recognise themselves in the brand
The Hive gives young people in Shrewsbury somewhere to make things, perform and belong. Its own community could not have told you that.
The problem
A charity supporting people with learning disabilities had an identity that no longer reflected its energy or community. Staff felt held back. The people it served did not see themselves in it.
See
The charity had become more confident and community-led, but its identity was still cautious, clinical and dated. The disconnect was costing visibility, funding and recruitment.
- Stakeholder engagement
- Community workshops
- Brand audit
Shift
The Hive had been presenting itself to funders and parents, when the people who decide whether it thrives are the young people who walk through the door. We shifted the whole thing to talk to them first and let everyone else understand it by watching them.
- Brand strategy
- Naming
- Proposition
Build
A bold, inclusive rebrand: new name, visual identity, messaging and digital presence, co-designed with the community.
- Visual identity
- Tone of voice
- Guidelines
- Campaign assets
- Digital presence
Move
A brand the community took ownership of. Increased visibility, stronger funding conversations, and an identity the team uses with confidence.
- Launch
- Team training
- Adoption support
In their words

“Ultimately, we were looking to create a brand that our local community could relate to and love.”
Katie JenningsCEO, The Hive
Portrait to come
What’s the thing you’re trying to change at the moment that you’re finding hardest to make happen?
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