A Preston-based charity is celebrating its success after scooping a gong at an industry awards ceremony.
Caritas Care – an adoption and fostering charity based in Tulketh Road, Preston, were delighted to be presented with the Charity/Not for Profit Award for their work with Viva, a multi award-winning PR agency based in Rawtenstall.
The award for Caritas Care’s Dear Adopter campaign was presented at the PRCA Dare Awards – North – which celebrate excellence within the PR industry.
The Dear Adopter campaign aimed to address concerns about the process of adoption.
Viva set out to boost enquiries to Caritas Care through a series of letters written candidly from people who had experienced adoption for themselves.
The campaign aimed to dispel myths surrounding adoption – fears about the process of applying, questions about whether the child will love their new adoptive family, adoption in the LGBT community and for black and ethnic minorities, plus options for single parents and children who wait longer to be placed.
Lindsey Duckworth at Caritas Care said: “The Dear Adopter campaign has given us a real insight into the thoughts and emotions of adoptive parents. The positive feedback we’ve received from professionals, adopters and the public has been remarkable.”
The campaign, led by Viva PR’s Account Manager Rachel Pinder and Account Executive Abigail Fraser-Kelly, was a huge success and gained national and regional media coverage.
The winner was announced by television and radio presenter Connor Phillips at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel in Manchester on Thursday night.
Tony Garner, Managing Director of Viva, said: “It’s great to see the calibre of our work being recognised by our industry peers, which shows we’re up there with the best agencies in the region.
“We have an innovative team with great drive and ambition to achieve outstanding results. Dear Adopter has been a special piece of work which shows the creative talent in the team.”
The judges – a panel of senior industry experts – said: “Dear Adopter is a truly unique campaign that the judges applauded for its thoughtful approach and overwhelmingly positive feedback from all aspects. Well done Viva & Caritas Care for a great campaign!”
Caritas Care run a range of services and projects which are dedicated to making a positive difference to the lives of all children, families and communities.
Their diverse range of services support people through Adoption and Fostering, as well as Disability Support Services, Homelessness facilities and ex Offender programmes. They have offices in Manchester, Salford, Warrington and Carlisle, as well as their headquarters in Preston.
Earlier this year, Viva was named as a Finalist in the Prolific North Awards for Small PR Agency of the Year, and still holds the title of Outstanding Small Public Relations Consultancy, awarded by the Chartered Institute for Public Relations (CIPR).
Viva, which celebrated its 15th birthday this year, has a range of high profile clients including BAE Systems, Amplifon, Chorley Group and Clayton Park Bakery.
