Looking for something different
As a large London-based housing association, it isn’t always easy for Network Homes to encourage residents to get involved and help shape their work.

As part of a re-evaluation of their resident involvement offers, the team at Network were looking to showcase their opportunities in a way which would appeal to a wider audience.

We presented two creative ideas but it was our Hands Up campaign that won hands down.

Hands ups to make a difference
It was the messaging in the Hands Up campaign that made the subtle difference.

Traditionally, resident involvement opportunities hadn’t been approached with a campaign mindset, but rather just as standard messaging in amongst all the other communications generated monthly.

‘Join our tenant panel’, ‘sign up to volunteer’ – the usual stuff was sent out.

But like many associations, the Network team was finding it increasingly difficult to get the attention of a wider tenant audience. After all, people are busy and who has the time or interest to sit on a committee or volunteer to help at an event?
But the Hands Up campaign approached messaging differently.

Rather than focus on the task, we focused on what could be achieved.

We asked residents: ‘Hands Up if you want to improve your community’ or ‘Hands Up if you want to improve services’.

Of course, everyone wants to.

Just one look
The campaign artwork was simple, but the illustrations were bright, eye-catching, and, most importantly, different.

The simplicity of the design meant that it could be easily repurposed across all the campaign messaging channels, from social media banners, to website graphics and branded t-shirts, mugs and bags.

We produced a customer engagement pack, filled with information about how individuals could make a difference in the communities they live.

And we presented the options in an easy-to-understand way, showcasing the varied ways in which people could do their bit, often without the need for huge amounts of effort.