Regeneration

"… perceptions of an area lag behind its physical and social change. Unless this is addressed the estates are unlikely to be places of residential choice for households with options and lives of residents will continue to be blighted, so that those who can will continue to leave. Thus a poor reputation can be a drag on the regeneration process, and must be addressed …"

(from Challenging images: housing
estates, stigma and regeneration –
Joseph Rowntree Foundation report).

A bad reputation is easy to gain and hard to lose. Word Association has built up a good track record of changing people’s perceptions about unpopular neighbourhoods. It has helped to improve the image of some of the country’s least popular estates by working at the grass roots with key members of staff, residents and community groups.

The team aims to involve, enable and empower residents to manage their own communications in the future.

A variety of marketing measures are used by Word Association. These include our own trained journalists running media relations campaigns to meet specific objectives. Media training for key staff and spokespersons, such as the chairs of residents’ associations, is also available to ensure organisations get their message across.

Local newsletters and magazines can help set the story straight about a neighbourhood and Word Association will work with communities to produce publications which tell their story in a credible way. Plus, help with designing new websites and developing existing ones can be provided to community organisations.

Each service is available individually or can be included in a wider marketing strategy which also encompasses other Word Association services such as annual reports, brochures and event management.