Significant website revamp opens up vital new funding streams for mobility equipment charity
Hertfordshire Action on Disability (HAD), a charity helping older and disabled people to lead independent lives, has worked with digital specialist Clock to transform the look and functionality of its website.
The new website follows a refurbishment and refit of its equipment centre in 2018, which saw HAD replace an unused multi-sensory room with an area to offer more private assessments and its seating clinic.
Operating a mobility equipment centre in Welwyn Garden City, HAD approached the Hertfordshire-based web agency to help it secure revenue through online payments and donations, as well as reach new audiences, in response to a significant cut in the charity’s funding.
At the beginning of 2019, the charity announced it was to regretfully close its accessible transport service for disabled people in April, with HAD Trustee Mike Thompson citing “the significant costs that running such a complex service entails.”
Ensuring the charity could generate the funds needed to provide enough financial stability to continue helping disabled and elderly customers, Clock created a new website with improved functionality, usability and navigation.
Specifically, the agency addressed the lack of a ‘Donate’ button, despite much of the charity’s income being attained through donations from the public.
Additionally, Clock has enabled an ecommerce facility for the charity to be able to sell mobility aids online, however, the charity is yet to launch the feature whilst also emphasising on its website that certain ranges require assessments first.
“You should always be offered an assessment when buying things like bathlifts, rise & recline chairs, profiling (adjustable) beds, hoists, mobility scooters etc, whether you buy from us or from any other disability retailer.”
In addition, the agency improved the user experience, with a particular focus on the homepage, to help signpost users easily to the section of the website most relevant to them, as well as clearer call to actions to help increase support the charity receives from the community.
With previous experience working with charities, including with The Prince’s Trust, and with Clock’s CEO Syd Nadim having developed a personal relationship with the HAD team after the charity had helped his late mother, the agency says it “relished the chance to support this local charity first-hand.”
Established in 1958 to supply equipment to disabled people by the then Welfare Department of the County Council, HAD has continued to grow over the last 60 years, expanding the range of services it offers.
As well as its equipment centre, the charity also provides an OT assessment service for home adaptations, as well as driving lessons, advice and assessments as part of Driving Mobility – a service for those whose physical or cognitive abilities have been affected by illness or disability.
