Web Design
A vibrant charity website combining warmth and professionalism
Stepping Stones Down Syndrome is a Hampshire-based charity supporting children and families with Down syndrome through learning, community and inclusion. Their website, once outdated and difficult to navigate, needed a complete redesign to reflect the heart of their work — warm, professional, and genuinely supportive.
I had the opportunity to lead this project from concept to launch, overseeing the full UX, brand refresh, design, and build process. Beyond being a professional challenge, it was a deeply meaningful project — designing for an organisation whose mission truly resonated with me.
- Fully custom WordPress site using the latest Gutenberg update
- Accessibility-first approach and WCAG improvements
- Development of reusable, dynamic content blocks for flexibility
- Brand refinement by evolving the charity’s visuals while preserving its identity
Client: Stepping Stones Down Syndrome (Charity)
Project: Website Redesign – UX, Web Design, WordPress Development, Accessibility
Sector: Charity / Education / Community
The Challenge
The original website no longer represented the charity’s vibrant, established reputation. Key information for families and professionals was difficult to find, the site lacked hierarchy, and the design didn’t capture the warmth and trust Stepping Stones is known for.
The challenge was to create a modern, colourful, and family-friendly platform that balanced professionalism with empathy — helping families instantly trust the organisation while keeping the experience inclusive and joyful.
My Approach
I began with a full UX audit to understand how users — families, schools, and supporters — were engaging with the site. From there, I restructured the sitemap, simplified navigation, and designed an interface that feels both reassuring and uplifting.
The goal was to ensure every visitor could find what they needed easily — whether joining as a new family, donating, or learning about the charity’s impact.
Key actions and deliverables:
- UX & Information Architecture – Reorganised content flow for clarity, prioritising accessibility and mobile-first journeys.
- Visual Redesign – Crafted a design that feels professional yet joyful, with fresh colours, friendly typography and subtle patterns inspired by the charity’s activities.
- Brand Evolution – Modernised existing assets while keeping the charity’s personality intact.
- Accessibility-first Design – Improved contrast, text hierarchy, and readability for all ages and abilities.
- Custom WordPress Theme – Built a lightweight, bespoke theme (WordPress 6.8.2) optimised for performance, flexibility, and ease of updates.
- Page Builder Implementation – Created reusable Gutenberg blocks for content editors to easily manage and expand the site.
- Imagery & Storytelling – Directed the use of authentic photography and crafted a new Family Stories section to share the charity’s real impact.
- Launch & QA – Handled testing, performance optimisation, and final deployment to ensure a smooth, stable release.
The Result
The new Stepping Stones DS website delivers the digital presence the charity deserves.
It’s now bright, professional, and heartfelt — echoing the organisation’s values of inclusion, learning, and family. Visitors can clearly find information, read inspiring stories, and engage with the charity through intuitive navigation and meaningful calls to action.
Thanks to the custom-built theme and accessibility improvements, the site is fast, responsive, and scalable for the future. The feedback from the charity team and their community has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing how powerful good design can be when it’s built with empathy and purpose.
Homepage
Fundraising page
Contact us
What we do – Archive
Educational – Child page
Trust and partnerships
FAQs
Can you work with my existing branding?
Absolutely. As a web designer, it’s essential to adhere to brand guidelines and enhance them where possible. I tailor my approach based on your organisation’s needs, ensuring consistency while evolving the brand as necessary.
What is your design process?
If you’re interested in working with me, the first step is to get in touch and share your ideas. After a quick discovery call, I’ll provide tailored advice on what will work best for your business and outline the next steps.
What services do you offer?
I offer a range of services, including branding, logo design, website design, website maintenance, and more specialised tasks such as coding adjustments or setting up email signatures.
What information do you need from me to start a project?
The more information, the better! This could include branding guidelines, website content, design inspirations, or any specific preferences you have. These details help me understand your vision and create something that aligns with your goals.