For many months we have heard from hundreds of people with their views on the Minstead Trust brand. 

This brand is how we present ourselves to the world – the way we write, the colours we use, the design of our signs and posters, and of course our logo. 

A reminder that this is our current logo, which has been updated over the years but has been broadly the same for decades:

During our research, people told us they see the Trust as at the heart of its communities, enriching lives and creating opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities. We go beyond, offering person-centred services, fostering independence, and building a future full of possibilities. 

To make sure our branding matches this perception of the Trust we are proposing moving to a bolder font, hand drawn lines and brighter colours. We tested this a couple of months ago with many of you, to a generally positive response, so we have retained this approach. 

However, our initial logo surveying suggested a desire from many respondents to find an icon that better reflected the people we now support, most of whom live in urban areas. Currently our icon is an oak tree.

Comments felt we should look at branding that was less traditional, had more energy, and reflected ‘where the Trust is now, not where it once was'.

In fact the one non-tree icon version we tested was the most popular, but without overwhelming support. 

So we have developed a new icon to better reflect the modern Trust and the people we support. We believe it shows that people are at the heart of the Trust and represents positivity, purpose and achievement:

Explanation from designer of proposed new logo icon: A figure with raised arms, symbolising both independence and a sense of joyful accomplishment. The figure’s flourishing and floral form evokes growth and development, further emphasising the Trust’s mission. A bright yellow dot sits above the figure, potentially representing the sun and the promise of new beginnings and opportunities. Additionally, the figure is enclosed within a circle, which can be interpreted as a symbol of the supportive community of Minstead Trust. 

Don't worry if you weren't able to distinguish these aspects from the icon - many huge brands use icons where few people see all the hidden meanings. The key thing is to focus on the overall feeling the logo and branding below leaves you with.  

How the branding might be used on posters: