Youth Access is a national membership organization supporting the development of youth information, advice and counselling services. It aims to offer information, advice and consultancy to facilitate the development of good practice in the field. Youth Access runs training, networking and conference events, and produces regular mailings and publications. This includes the production of a Referral Directory to a range of services throughout the UK.
Late in 2003 Youth Access developed a set of requirements it would need in order to build a new Web site with extended functionality. The need for an effective Content Management System along with a professional and experienced implementation partner was understood by Youth Access, and Cyber Media was chosen with CommonSpot as the selected Content Management System.
This Web site project had two overall aims – to develop a Web site, and to develop an online database of service providers (Service Directory). Both had to be readily updated by non technical staff.
Cyber Media provided a comprehensive solution in meeting these aims including:
-
Initial consultancy
-
Bespoke development of a Service Directory
-
Complete Web site design and implementation
-
Web site hosting
-
CommonSpot template construction and site setup
Benefits of the new Web site:
-
Reduced administration costs through streamlined processes
-
Increased range of benefits for members presented in an easy to find format
-
Reduced communication costs
-
Members update their own records, saving time for members and staff
-
Professionally designed Service Directory featuring easy to use searches
-
Teaser adverts – inviting non-members to see what they could access Discussion forums to promote member loyalty and build member community
-
Private secure areas for Members only to provide valued resources
-
Up to date members information now easily available
-
Latest news and events tables generated automatically
-
Ability to edit the Web site easily means that content is up to date encouraging visitors to return to the site
"What I really enjoyed about working with Cyber Media is that they were able to stretch my imagination by suggesting features that I never even thought were possible from a Web site or database. We had an understanding of how we wanted to lay out the Web site and what we wanted from the members’ database. Cyber Media helped us to express that in a way that worked really well in a Web environment. We are delighted with the outcome."
Dianne Aimable-Lina
Quality and Membership Officer, Youth Access
Link: www.youthaccess.org.uk
Download the Youth Access Case Study (pdf file)
