One of the North’s biggest charities, employing nearly 1,000 staff and helping more than 20,000 people each year, has today re-branded and changed its name.
DISC (Developing Initiatives Supporting Communities), is now known as Humankind.
Chief Executive Officer of Humankind, Paul Townsley, said the organisation, which has helped people improve their lives since 1984, is positioning itself for the future.
Paul said: “We need to be more visible so that we can reach more of the people we represent.”
Delivering a mix of housing, education, employment, training, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, young people and families, and clinical support, the charity has now completed a process of strategic review, merging with a healthcare organisation and re-branding.
Paul continued: “The process that we’ve been through over the past two or three years has shown us what matters most to staff, to commissioners and to service users. We’re all about people – that’s the essence of it – the equality and potential of people and our commitment to treating everyone that way. Making sure all the people we work with access fair chances.”
“The services we deliver, and the way we work has evolved. The thing that runs through all of it is this belief in equality – that we all deserve a chance to achieve everything we can in life. Boil it down and we’re people working with people – no prejudice, no judgement, just ways to help. That’s what the new name reflects.”
A new website has launched, services and offices have been re-badged. A fundraising auction of work donated by artists will be hosted by the branding agency, Sheffield-based Peter & Paul.
Lee Davies, creative director at Peter & Paul, said: “We want to give something back to the charity we’ve really got to know well over the last two years. “Humankind does amazing work that changes lives, and we really believe in them. We wanted to do something to raise funds but also to celebrate a project and a client that we’re really proud of.”
Pictured: Chief Executive Officer Paul Townsley, with Humankind Volunteer Development Manager Ann Hall outside the Humankind HQ near the Blue Bridge in Newton Aycliffe.
