Teesside charity set for rebrand

A Teesside-based environmental and community charity is set to unveil a new identity as it looks to better reflect the breadth of support it provides across the region.

Middlesbrough Environment City has appointed creative agency Studio Resolve to lead a full rebrand after a competitive tender process. 

The Acklam-based organisation, located on the former Nature’s World site, supports residents facing fuel poverty and food insecurity while promoting healthier, more sustainable lifestyles.

Its work spans affordable warmth advice, eco shops tackling food waste, healthy cookery sessions and access to community allotments and orchards that produce more than one tonne of apples each year.

Vicki Putson, chief executive of the charity, believes the current name no longer captures its reach beyond Middlesbrough or the full scope of its social impact.

She 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.

“When we look at how our brand and name reflects us, it no longer fits with who we are and what we do.

“We are writing a new strategic plan with different strategic pillars, so the time is right for us to review our brand and our name, so we are more reflective of who we are.

The rebrand comes as the charity progresses plans to secure a 60-year lease on its 22-acre site, marking a significant step in its long-term development across Teesside.

Studio Resolve, founded by Beccy Owen in 2022, will develop a new name and brand narrative following staff workshops and consultation. 

Beccy added: “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.

“It’s an exciting project.

“The work I have been doing so far has been about establishing the organisation’s story so we can create a new tone of voice and personality.

“There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes before we can create a new logo and brand guidelines.

“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.”

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