York Carers Centre
York Carers Centre is the sole specialist charity supporting unpaid carers in the City of York. The organisation provides comprehensive services for people who are juggling caring for family, friends, or neighbours alongside their professional and personal lives.
The challenge
York Carers Centre had outgrown their previous website, which Castlegate IT had built during an earlier stage of the charity’s growth. As the organisation’s services expanded, the site became cluttered and difficult to navigate, making vital information hard to find.
A central challenge was audience identification. Many people providing essential care do not readily recognise themselves as unpaid carers, so it was important that users could find relevant support without additional friction or stress.
As an organisation reliant on funding, grants, and donations, maintaining a clear and accessible fundraising pathway was equally essential.
The solution
We redesigned the site around ease of access and clear user pathways. The homepage introduces distinct audience segments, allowing visitors to identify themselves immediately and reach the support most relevant to them.
A filterable advice hub and interactive activities calendar make it straightforward to find information and browse upcoming events. Sessions can be filtered by group, active dates are highlighted in the charity’s distinctive pink, and each entry links directly to full schedules and event details.
To support fundraising, a high-visibility donation button sits within the primary navigation and remains accessible throughout the site.
The results
- The redesigned site makes it easier for time-pressed or stressed visitors to find what they need quickly
- Clear audience segmentation on the homepage helps individuals identify themselves and access appropriate support without assistance
- The filterable advice hub and interactive calendar have reduced the volume of routine queries directed at staff and volunteers
- A straightforward, user-managed backend empowers the York Carers Centre team to update events and expand resources independently
We thoroughly enjoyed working with Castlegate IT. They truly understood our needs and helped us to formulate how this would look and function on the new website. They worked closely with us to finalise the design – which is true to our branding and we love it! We had some difficulties with our Comms Officer leaving mid-way through the project and Castlegate IT were incredibly supportive and were very patient in explaining the technical aspects of the site.
We couldn’t recommend them highly enough. They continue to provide support where needed, and our new website is doing its job, and we are extremely pleased with the outcome.
Sharron Smith, Chief Executive Officer | York Carers Centre
Visit: www.yorkcarerscentre.co.uk
