Studio Resolve successfully pitched for the contract
A charity tackling the twin challenges of poverty and climate change is rebranding to better reflect the scale and ambition of its work.
Middlesbrough Environment City, based at the old site of Nature’s World in Acklam, is to undergo a rebrand, courtesy of creative agency Studio Resolve, owned by Beccy Owen, who won a competitive pitch to undertake the rebranding process.
The charity supports communities to stay warm, eat well and live healthier, more sustainable lives through projects addressing fuel poverty, food insecurity, environmental action and education across the region.
Vicki Putson, CEO of Middlesbrough Environment City, described how the organisation had gone through a rigorous tendering process before awarding the contract to Studio Resolve, after Beccy demonstrated a sound knowledge of the organisation’s history and heritage, as well as how it helps people across Teesside today.
Vicki said: “Middlesbrough Environment City has been in existence for over 30 years after being set up as one of four environment cities across the country, in Middlesbrough, Leicester, Leeds and Peterborough.
“Ourselves and Peterborough are now the only two left and we have evolved significantly in the time we have been in operation.
“We are no longer attached to the local authority, from whom we used to receive core funding, but we are now an independent charity in our own right, improving access to affordable, healthy food, energy efficiency support, active travel, climate action and community wellbeing.”
Vicki added the time is right to change the name of Middlesbrough Environment City, owing to the fact the organisation serves other Teesside communities outside of Middlesbrough, is not just about the environment – and is not based in a town with city status.
After successfully competing for the contract, Beccy, who has worked with Thirteen Housing, The Live Well Centre, British Cycling, Tees Valley Sport and Catalyst Stockton, to name just a handful of recent clients, will soon reveal the new name and brand identity for Middlesbrough Environment City.
She said: “Our values at Studio Resolve are aligned with those of Middlesbrough Environment City and I am very happy to have been chosen for this piece of work.
“I like taking on projects which are about changing the world for the better and working with this charity really ticks that box for me.”
Beccy set up her business in December 2022 and has packed a wide range of work into her three years in operation.
Supporting Middlesbrough Environment City through a significant moment in its history will enable the organisation, which is in the process of securing a 60-year lease for the 22-acre site from the local authority, to flourish.
Vicki adds working with Beccy is just like working with a trusted friend.
“It doesn’t feel like we are contracting services out as what she provides goes beyond the personal touch,” Vicki says.
Vicki has been in post with Middlesbrough Environment City for 18 months and during this time, she says the organisation has really started to “unpack the needs” of the local community.
This includes supporting people in fuel crisis and educating them about affordable warmth, providing access to affordable food and reducing food waste through eco shops and offering healthy cookery sessions.
The organisation also gives people access to community allotments and orchards, which produce over one tonne of apples per year.
For more information about the charity, visit https://menvcity.org.uk/about/ Find out about Studio Resolve at www.studioresolve.co.uk