CRISIS SUPPORT

A housing association client suffered a murder at one of its young people’s accommodation units.

With media and local residents using this incident as a call to shut the unit, we launched an immediate multi-pronged approach. Local politicians were contacted to gain their support. This proved to be useful ammunition, as well as neutralising potentially extra negative attention.

An immediate response was provided to each interested media outlet, and the key protagonist editor was invited into the home to see for themselves the excellent facility and the vital role that it provides.

This resulted in a double page article extolling its virtues and only positive media coverage since this time.

Together with other partners, a swift community day was run, to invite local members of the public to speak directly with staff, which yielded mainly positive responses.

Since this time there has been little or no negative attention on the facility due to this incident.