Leonard Cheshire Disability

Leonard Cheshire Disability supports over 21,000 disabled people in the UK and works in 52 countries. It campaigns for change and provides innovative services that give disabled people the opportunity to live life their way. As part of a major re launch of the charity, Signbox have completed an external sign programme to reflect the charity's new brand identity.

To create a much more contemporary look that would appeal to younger and older supporters alike, the charity has changed its name to Leonard Cheshire Disability. Their new square logo puts an emphasis on the word 'ability' – to quickly and powerfully get across their strongly held belief that society should recognise and embrace disabled people's abilities.

As part of the roll out of this new identity, the charity needed a sign company to design external signage that would unify up to 166 sites across the UK. It was important that the sign system for the sites, which include residential homes, offices and day services, could blend harmoniously with both modern and traditional architecture alike. Part of the brief was to also ensure that Leonard Cheshire Disability was the main focus of the sign with a clear and concise approach to wayfinding.

Along with two other sign companies, Signbox was invited by the charity to give a detailed presentation about how the project would be approached. Neil Devery, Business Development Manager of Signbox, explains:

"At the initial stage we were asked to survey five very different sites. Through taking photographs and dimensions we were able to create drawings of the existing signs and then superimpose the charity's new identity guidelines, to compare how the signs would look before and after. What was strikingly obvious was how the new square logo created a totally new look as the old logo was in a landscape format."

The tender submission gave different sign system options which were well received by Leonard Cheshire Disability. However, the question was then asked whether it was possible to utilise the existing signs as a cost-effective solution.

Signbox revisited the designs and came up with the option of using a traditional post and panel sign with an aluminium tray which could be retro fitted to most of the properties existing posts.

Signbox were awarded the tender for their budget sensitive concept along with the idea of conducting virtual surveys of all the sites which are dotted around the country.

"It would have been costly to visit all of the sites situated from Cornwall to the North of Scotland. With the help of each site who were asked to take photographs, a virtual survey could be created using computer generated images," explains Neil.

To date, 75 sites have been installed with the new look portrait signage which effectively communicates the charity's new logo. The material and shape of the traditional post and panel sign system successfully blend in with the different styles of building.

Sue Brown, Assistant National Asset Manager for Leonard Cheshire Disability comments:

"Signbox has worked closely with Leonard Cheshire Disability right from the start, going through each proforma individually and ironing out any issues swiftly and effectively and they have been very pro active in finding solutions to any difficult or unusual situations such as grade 1 listed buildings."

Signbox have also designed and completed internal signage for Leonard Cheshire Disability's new media centre which provides training, facilities, and events in all media disciplines to a range of disabled and non-disabled people.

Compliance with DDA regulations and maximising the accessibility of the facility to its users was a key consideration. To achieve this, the signage uses a white background with black text and is oversized. Tactile and Braille lettering has also been included on the 5mm matt acrylic panels which display wayfinding, statutory notices and health and safety instructions.