Victim Support Greater Manchester
Campaign message: "Can you help?"
Aim: To recruit community volunteers in Wythenshawe and Levenshulme areas of Manchester. To recruit volunteers to make home visits to people who have been the victims of crime. The campaign was designed to attract, in particular, more male volunteers.
Number of people involved: 1
Launched: January 2005
Campaign description: Victim Support and Witness Service Greater Manchester placed 250 adverts on board buses in the city. They targeted specific communities by choosing which bus routes to advertise on. The campaign message was: "Anybody no matter their race, religion, class or gender can be a victim or witness of crime. So we need people from all sections of society to be there when support is needed".
The campaign ran for 4 weeks, although some posters remained on the buses for up to 18 months. Victim Support Greater Manchester does not have a communications team. Instead they supplied Viacom (now known as CBS Outdoor Advertising) with the text and a photo for the advert. Viacom designed and printed the advert. The total cost for the campaign, including the purchased advertising space was approximately £3000.
Outside agencies involved: Viacom
Results: Over 12 months Victim Support Greater Manchester received 25-35 volunteer enquiries. "In addition to the potential volunteer enquiries, hopefully we managed to raise the profile of our organisation - something which is more difficult to measure."
Contact: Ann McKeever www.victimsupport-gm.co.uk
