BSPAD.
The British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology (BSPAD) was founded in 1985 to promote the provision of best quality care for children and young adults with skin problems and to support their families to access this.
Project Overview
The British Society for Paediatric & Adolescent Dermatology (BSPAD) was founded in 1985 and is a small charity and a special interest group of the British Association of Dermatology. We transformed their website into a platform that better connected children, parents and healthcare professionals by reflecting their unique needs and experiences.
Project Objective.
The BSPAD website previously relied heavily on stock images of babies with flawless skin, an approach that failed to resonate with its audience, who were seeking support and relatable content. Additionally, its complex navigation made it difficult for users to find essential resources, leaving them frustrated and without the information they needed. To better serve its diverse audience, BSPAD needed a redesign and redevelopment of its website with a more authentic and user-friendly experience.
The scope of work involved.
- Web design
- Web development
- User experience
- Accessibility
- Consultation and support
- Hosting and infrastructure
Building the healthcare charity website.
Like many of our clients, cost was a key consideration when discussing the new website. The client had previously received a quote from a web agency specialising in charity websites, but the price was more than double ours and came with steep ongoing costs. They questioned whether we could meet their needs when we don’t exclusively focus on charity design. Our response? Great web design, regardless of sector, starts with understanding the problem. By focusing on the project’s objectives, user needs, and defining success, we delivered a bespoke solution that exceeded expectations.
We firmly believe that understanding the problem is the foundation of great web design. This is not just something we say, but something we actively practice, beginning with the people who use the website. Our first step was to speak directly with end users to understand their needs and identify where the current website was falling short.
In our initial user testing session with two young people living with chronic skin conditions, the feedback was immediate: the website felt more suited to doctors than to its intended audience. One participant shared how she would spend hours online searching for someone who looked like her or for resources that understood her struggles.
To address this, we focused on imagery and content that reflected real-life stories. We incorporated narratives from children, young people, and parents to highlight their experiences and show what different skin conditions look like. It was crucial that the website was not only inclusive but also representative of the community it serves.
The website was built in WordPress, which allowed for a high level of customisation, a user-friendly interface, and a cost-effective solution. We have continued to provide ongoing support, monitoring, and updates on an ad-hoc basis, avoiding the high retention fees that often come with long-term contracts.
Dr Tess McPherson
President of BSPAD | BSPAD
Project results.
When we tested the final website with the same young people, their reactions validated the direction we had taken. They expressed how the site now felt truly designed for them, a space that was accessible, inviting, and focused on their needs. They were able to easily find the information they were looking for, and the content felt much more relevant and supportive of their experiences. This shift in perception was a clear sign that we had successfully created an environment where they could feel understood and empowered.
Professionally it makes us very proud to know our work is contributing to a great cause and helping young people through what can be a challenging time. As BSPAD’s website partner, we continue to provide website hosting and consultancy as required, supporting them in their work.
Some of our other work.
Portfolio
Want to see more of our work?
Take a look at other projects we have completed for our clients.
