News Archive
December 2009
Innovative ways to improve public services
Gary Ward is excited to be working with the Centre for Public Innovation, a forward thinking social enterprise dedicated to improving public services. We're supporting the Department of Health's contribution to the government's Tackling Knives Action Programme, which aims to reduce serious youth violence. We're also working on the South East Alcohol Innovation Programme, which is managed by the Government Office for the South East. Gary Ward's input includes project management and communications.
November 2009
Putting race on the agenda
Gary Ward is delighted to be working with Race on the Agenda (ROTA), a policy think tank focusing on equality and human rights. We're supporting this charity by developing a communications strategy and plan to help it maximise its influence.
June 2009
That's entertainment
Gary Ward is writing new web content for Top Entertainment, a company that provides staff for the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors. With offices in London and Lugano, the company places multi-lingual personnel at resorts, hotels and other destinations throughout the world. The new website should go live later in the summer.
May 2009
Giving a voice to communities
Gary Ward Communications has provided crisis communications workshops for the East Lancashire Community Action Project (ELCAP). The sessions support the Home Office's Preventing Violent Extremism strategy by giving community leaders the tools and techniques to get their message across.
March 2009
Putting the control back into assessment
Gary Ward Communications has researched and written a supplement on controlled assessment for SecEd, the weekly newspaper for England's secondary schools. Controlled assessment replaces coursework in most GCSEs from September 2009. You can read the supplement here.
February 2009
Testing services
Gary Ward is supporting Edexcel by managing communications around the national curriculum tests programme for 2009. The key stage 2 tests in English, mathematics and science are taken by every 11 year old state school pupil in England. Edexcel recruits and trains 5,400 markers and ensures that around 16,000 primary schools receive the results on time.
December 2008
Making Every Adult Matter
This coalition aims to achieve more comprehensive support for adults in severe need, including those with drug dependency, homelessness, a criminal record and mental health problems. It was launched on December 2nd by Clinks, Drugscope, Homeless Link and Mind. Gary Ward Communications researched and wrote the launch report In From the Margins - read it here.
October 2008
Putting race on the agenda
Clinks is a membership organisation that supports charities working with offenders and ex-offenders.
We're about to launch Race for Justice, a campaign to tackle the inequalities faced by black and ethnic minority groups in the criminal justice system. Gary Ward Communications had co-authored the launch report, provided media training and other communications services. See www.raceforjustice.net. Read the report here.
August 2008
Get the adrenalin running
Business Adrenalin provides HR, coaching and business strategy services to companies and organisations of all sizes. We are providing copywriting and communications services for this thriving company.
June 2008
Promoting distance learning
We're helping ICS to promote its varied portfolio of distance learning courses.The company has been around since 1890, but is coming bang up to date with a fresh new range of marketing materials.
April 2008
Sexing up some copy
I'm writing some promotional material to support government sexual health campaigns like this. My role is producing material that will support health professionals to extend and deliver the campaigns in communities throughout the country.
March 2008
Doing justice to important new initiatives
Clinks is a membership organisation that supports charities working with offenders and ex-offenders.
I'm working on two important new initiatives: a taskforce looking at the potential for offenders to have a bigger role in developing criminal justice policy and services, and Race for Justice, a campaign to tackle the inequalities faced by black and ethnic minority groups in the criminal justice system
November 2007
Putting the world write
I've just provided the University of Portsmouth's in-house corporate communications team with copywriting training to inspire and support them as they write the all important undergraduate prospectus.
I've also worked with the University's Centre for Enterprise on a big project promoting enterprise education in schools and the marketing of two new courses.
October 2007
Providing a better service
I've just passed the Institute of Business Consulting's Certificate in Consulting Essentials and am now a member of the organisation.
I believe in ongoing professional development and the effort behind this qualification will help me to provide a more systematic and effective service for all of my clients, but particularly those with more complex needs.
July 2007
IT fulfilment
I've been working for EDS - a multinational IT services and outsourcing provider - to support its clients in change management and innovation. Clients I've had the pleasure of supporting include Vodafone and the Department for Work and Pensions.
June 2007
Positive mental health
I've done some work for Health Scotland to present different communications approaches to promoting positive mental health in communities. It involved research and a presentation to a cross-section of stakeholders.
April 2007
Testing times
I'm writing marketing literature for the world's leading computer-based assessment and testing business.
Pearson VUE provides testing services for large businesses, organisations and governments throughout the world. Its clients include Microsoft, IFS School of Finance and the Graduate Management Admissions Council.
February 2007
A strategic approach to corporate communications
I'm working with Echo Research Ltd to conduct a review of two Research Councils' corporate publications.
The review includes online surveys and panels as well as face to face and telephone interviews. The final report will inform future communications strategy for both organisations.
January 2007
A window to the world
Edexcel has asked me to write its corporate brochure, providing a window to its world of qualifications, training and other services.
The project involves working with designers, and the finished product will be used to promote the company world-wide.
Head of Communications, Stevie Pattison-Dick, said: “I had no hesitation in asking Gary to do this important job. He always delivers high quality work and is a pleasure to deal with.”
November 2006
Moving on up with Moving Forward
I’ve just completed a newsletter for Moving Forward, the user group of the Disablement Services Centre (DSC) at St Mary’s Hospital, Portsmouth serving amputees and wheelchair users in Portsmouth, Southampton, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The group supports all users of the Centre and the newsletter is a key way of keeping members and their families informed of activities and of providing information and advice.
I was asked to edit, contributed copy and to manage the design and print, with the brief calling for a simple, user friendly and colourful design. You can see the finished produce here.
Mike Stoneman, Chair of Moving Forward, said: “Gary did a fantastic job for us. He was very efficient, good to work with and I’m delighted with the finished product.”
October 2006
Putting Cullen Scholefield in their place – in the headlines
I’ve been taken on by Cullen Scholefield Ltd to conduct public relations and awareness raising activity on their behalf.
The company has just celebrated 20 years in business, providing training, business and management consultancy and qualifications to businesses and organisations of all sizes.
It specialises in the HR field and is an accredited training provider for the Chartered institute of Personnel and Development.
Managing Director, Maureen Scholefield, said: “We’re delighted to have Gary on board and look forward to a fruitful working relationship.”
October 2006
Promoting BTEC to the world
Edexcel has taken me on to help to promote their BTEC qualifications internationally – vocational qualifications that give students’ skills that employers want.
I’m writing case studies based around the experiences of schools, colleges and employers abroad, and talking to their students to find out what they think.
I’ve also been asked to write and design a quarterly newsletter to highlight international achievement and activities connected with BTEC qualifications, and to write the content for an e-newsletter targeting British Council offices throughout the world.
Stevie Pattison-Dick, Head of Communications, Edexcel said: “We’re delighted to have Gary on board. He has a good knowledge of our marketplace and produces excellent results.”
September 2006
Enjoying the VUE
Pearson VUE is part of Pearson plc and is the world’s leading computer assessment and testing business.
I’ve been asked to write a number of case studies for the company to support the sales and marketing effort by highlighting how it is providing great service through its leading edge technology and expert staff.
Liam Wynne, Marketing Development Manager for Pearson VUE, said: “Gary was recommended to me and he hasn’t let me down. He provides a first class service and is a pleasure to deal with.”
August 2006
A quality job
I’ve been asked to do some work for Quality South East (QSE) to help to promote their range of products and services.
QSE is one of eight quality centres in the UK with the right to conduct assessments and give advice and support around Investor’s in People and a range of other quality standards, including the Charter Mark, ISO 9001 and Lexcel.
The organisation plans to become much more proactive about generating new business and I am producing a new brochure for the company (copy, design and print) and a series of fact sheets to promote their products and services.
Managing Director, Trish Fraser, said: “I was impressed with Gary when we met and am very pleased to have him on board and delivering high quality work for us.”
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