• Swindon & Wiltshire Social
• Monday January 6 2025
• Author Name: Peter Davison

GEL Studios announces Swindon Carers Centre as its charity partner for 2025

A Swindon charity that found its existence in peril in 2024 is to receive marketing assistance from creative agency GEL Studios, which has named Swindon Carers Centre its charity of the year.

Starting in January 2025, GEL Studios will launch a brand-new website for Swindon Carers Centre and begin a year-long marketing campaign to raise awareness of the charity’s work and need for donations to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Since 1997, Swindon Carers Centre has been a vital lifeline for unpaid carers in Swindon, championing their rights, enhancing their wellbeing, and providing tailored services that address their unique needs.

Currently supporting over 5,700 carers in Swindon, registrations for support from the charity increased by 12 per cent in 2023-2024

But funding hasn’t kept up with demand.

Statistically one in eight people are, or will become, a carer in their lifetime.

Earlier this year, Swindon Carers Centre avoided closure by withdrawing from a tendering process that provided 80 per cent of its income. The decision came after concerns were raised that the funding was insufficient to adequately support their services.

The charity now has until December 2025 to secure its long-term future.

GEL Studios managing director Graeme Leighfield said: “Businesses have a responsibility to give back and as we grow, so does our commitment to making an impact within our local community.

“In 2024, GEL Studios supported 17 local good causes and contributed over 1,000 hours of resources to short-term projects, which served as a lifeline for those organisations in their time of need.

“In 2025 we will be focusing on making a year-long impact on one single organisation that needs it most. We’ve already completed our Brand Messaging Workshop with the Swindon Carers Centre team and I can’t wait to see the impact we’ll make throughout the year.”

Bronte Hague, head of finance and resources, at Swindon Carers Centre said: “It has been an absolute privilege to work with GEL Studios so far. Their skilled and welcoming team has led us through a Messaging Workshop and a website scoping meeting, both of which provided us with dedicated time to reflect on the impact Swindon Carers Centre makes and our direction for 2025.

“We are thrilled to be named their Charity Partner of the Year for 2025 and cannot thank them enough for this incredible offer. This partnership comes at a crucial time for Swindon Carers Centre, and we can’t wait to work with and learn from the amazing team at GEL Studios throughout 2025.”