The challenge

The Gatehouse provides support and services homeless and vulnerably housed people in Oxford. They provide a place where companionship, dignity, and refreshment can be found in a warm, safe and therapeutic environment. The previous website was showing its age and a thorough overhaul was needed to produce a reinvigorated, modern website that is accessible and reflects their desired public image in an effective manner.

• Redefine Visual Appeal: Create a contemporary design that mirrors The Gatehouse’s ethos.
• Promote Accessibility: Ensure the site is usable by all, including those with low digital literacy.
• Simplify Information Flow: Provide clear, concise information for a wide range of visitors.
• Enhance Engagement: Make the site a welcoming, easy-to-use resource for guests, volunteers, and donors.
• Support Daily Operations: Facilitate donations, volunteer management, and event coordination.

Creative journey

From our first conversation, we knew this project was about more than aesthetics; it was about building a website that serves and inspires. Here’s how we brought it to life:

1. User-Focused Navigation:
   • Designed intuitive menus and links, allowing users to find what they need effortlessly.
   • Crafted landing pages that provided basic information upfront, with deeper details available for those who seek it in child pages.
2. Live Content Feeds:
   • Embedded a “What’s on Today” feature on the homepage and services pages, pulling real-time updates from the event calendar.
3. Elegant and Adaptable Design:
   • Refined the brand’s visual elements, including a crisp, scalable vector logo.
   • Developed design elements, evolving into detailed visual layouts that capture The Gatehouse’s warmth and compassion.
4. Engaging Multimedia:
   • Produced videos with staff and volunteers, featuring CEO Katrina Horne’s heartfelt welcome, stories from The Lived Experience Advisory Forum and an introduction to volunteering.
   • Added custom pen and ink illustrations to depict key activities when photos weren’t an option.
   • Continued this illustration style for icons throughout the site.
5. Top-Notch Performance:
   • Achieved lightning-fast load times, with a perfect 100% score on PageSpeed Insights.

Navigating Challenges

Creating content for a community of vulnerable individuals required sensitivity and creativity. We focused on inclusive storytelling through staff videos and evocative illustrations.

The Impact

The Gatehouse’s new website is a testament to their dedication and care for Oxford’s vulnerable. It’s a dynamic, inviting platform that not only supports their daily operations but also shines a light on their crucial work.

We’re honoured to have partnered with The Gatehouse on this transformative journey and look forward to their continued success online.

Explore The Gatehouse’s new site