At Bay Media, we love campaigns that make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s why we’re proud to support the NHS in launching Brighton’s first permanent Blood Donor Centre, which officially opened its doors on the 22nd September. Read on to discover the strategies and objectives that make this project a catalyst for change.
Give Blood, Save Lives
Blood is essential to everyone, especially in urgent situations. Donating remains one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to help others. According to The British Heart Foundation, the NHS needs around 5,000 blood donations every day to meet demand and each year, 135,000 new donors are required to maintain stable supplies.
To boost donor numbers across the country, within the last nine months the NHS has opened three new permanent centres. Brighton was an obvious choice. With over 280,000 residents, a growing population and one of England’s largest student communities (14% of residents are students, compared to the 4% national average), the city is full of potential new donors. Targeting younger residents, particularly those aged 19–22, is vital to securing the long-term stability of the blood supply. Campaigns like this, which meet people where they live, work and study play a key role in spreading this life-saving message.
The new Brighton centre, located at 1 Gloucester Place just minutes from Brighton Station and the seafront, is open seven days a week and offers 1,100 donation appointments each week. With six donor chairs and state-of-the-art facilities, it serves as a vital hub for ensuring a steady blood supply.
Clare Carman, Brighton Clinical Donor Centre Manager, highlights the impact of every donation:
“Each donation can save up to three lives, so every person who comes forward will make an extraordinary difference. Even if your appointment is a few months away, your blood will still save lives when it’s needed.”
Bay Media and Blood Donation
The NHS faced a challenge: how to reach Brighton residents quickly and effectively. The solution? A lamppost banner campaign. Working alongside our partners OmniGOV at MG OMD and Posterscope, we installed 38 banners across Brighton’s busiest and most visible routes, running from 21st September to 19th October.
Campaign Objectives:
The goal was to maximise visibility along high-footfall commuter routes, including Grand Parade, Marlborough Place and Queens Road, connecting Brighton Station with the seafront and city centre.
Creative Approach:
The banners feature distinctive NHS branding, highly emotive messaging and striking visuals designed to inspire action. Key creative strategies include:
- “Be the giving type”: encouraging generosity and selflessness from potential donors.
- “Brighton, it’s in our blood to save lives”: inclusive language – ‘our blood’ – emphasises shared responsibility and community effort.
- “Save lives, give blood”: acting as a direct call to action.
- Inclusive imagery: showcasing donors of all ages and ethnicities to build trust, create relatability and take the fear out of the process through the smiling models.
Utilising clear, red tones to reinforce urgency, the campaign successfully conveys the importance of blood donation while making it feel approachable and community-driven.
Making Messages Seen
Lamppost banners can be a powerful tool for delivering high-profile messages directly into communities. Positioned at eye level along key routes, they help ensure campaigns remain unavoidable and impactful, day after day.
By collaborating closely with the NHS, OmniGOV at MG OMD and Posterscope, we are helping Brighton residents see, consider and act on this life-saving message, sparking conversations and encouraging donations that truly matter.
Saving Lives, Together
This campaign reminds Brighton residents that they have the power to make an extraordinary difference on a local and national level. Bay Media is proud to support this initiative, helping the NHS take its vital message straight to the streets.
Your message deserves to be seen too. Whether it’s for public health, safety, or community campaigns, Bay Media’s lamppost banners put your message front and centre.
Get in touch today and let us help your campaign make an impact.