A residential community in Woodbury for adults with learning disabilities is to receive free digital marketing, after impressing the managing director of a company in Exeter.
Stallcombe House provides assisted living accommodation for 33 adults on a 55-acre site with gardens, fruit and vegetable plots and a farm.
The managing director of digital marketing agency Optix Solutions, Rob Stevens, has visited Stallcombe House and was so impressed that he volunteered to become a trustee of the charity that runs it. When he heard that their website needed an overhaul and staff needed digital training, he mentioned this to Optix’s founders and they agreed to do the work free of charge.
Rob has a sister with physical and mental disabilities who is in lifelong care in Cambridge. He said: “The UK care industry faces a myriad of challenges including chronic underfunding, staffing shortages and increasing demand due to an ageing population. The sheltered housing my sister lives in is not the happiest of places, and it has been an endless battle trying to improve her situation.
“By contrast, when I visited Stallcombe House I was blown away by the location, facilities and the attitude; they are certainly doing things a different way. It was a total eye-opener.
“There are many opportunities for residents to be outside with nature, spend time with the farm animals and take part in creative activities and crafts. To be honest, for me it was like a breath of fresh air.
“Organisations like this, which are few and far between, are incredibly important. For me it’s a very personal journey. I hope to bring a fresh approach, working with the other Trustees to make sure the charity has a secure future.”
Optix founders Alastair Banks and James Dawkins said they were more than happy to undertake Stallcombe House’s website redesign, rebranding and digital training on a pro bono basis.
Alastair said: “To me it instantly seemed a no brainer. Rob is clearly invested in Stallcombe House and has a deep connection. Optix looks after its team members and we felt it important to support him with this.
“We take corporate social responsibility very seriously, and this is the perfect opportunity to step up and support a wonderful charity right on our doorstep.”
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