1. Share all the key details (the Add more details section)
This is your space to share everything you need to inspire and enthuse people to attend or make contact with you. The more information you provide, the more confident people will feel about attending. It also makes it more likely that search engines like Google will find your listing.
For many people, your listing will be their first introduction to your group, club, service or organisation. Start with a quick summary of who you are and what you do. Don't assume everyone knows – even if you are a large organisation!
Then work through the list of questions below. These are listed in no order; the trick is to support the reader to imagine themselves attending and how it would feel. Some might not be relevant to include – you will have the best feel for what people need to know.
- What is the purpose of the activity/session?
- How many people usually attend?
- Who attends – ages, demographics, where from?
- What is the atmosphere like? e.g. vibrant and noisy, relaxed and quiet, calm or bustling.
- Do I need to bring any money?
- What equipment do I need?
- What should I wear?
- Is there parking? What is the transport like?
- Can I bring a supporter or friend/family member?
- What if I need to leave early?
- Will someone be there to look after me?
- Is the session structured or do I need to guide it myself?
- Who do I ask for when I arrive?
- Where do I go when I get to the building or space?
2. Be clear about who the service is for
This is one of the most important elements – explaining who you can support helps people decide whether your service is right for them. Organisations often say that they are open to everyone when they're not.
Consider:
- Who benefits most from the activity?
- Are there age restrictions?
- Are there eligibility criteria?
- Is the service funded to support a specific group?
Are there people or situations where your service may not be suitable? Examples:
- This group is open to adults aged 18 and over.
- Due to funding requirements, this service is only available to Warrington residents.
- This project supports fathers and their daughters.
- This service is for women experiencing domestic abuse.
You can create as many listings as you like on Living Well Warrington, and it is usually better to create several listings if you run activities for different groups of people – for example, if you are a football club and have teams for women, men and people with physical disabilities. Within each listing you can then focus on how you meet the needs of that specific community.
There is a prompt on the listing form that allows you to say who you support. Add any specific information here.
3. Help people imagine attending
One of the biggest barriers to attending a new activity is not knowing what to expect.
If you've followed the questions in the checklist above, you'll be most of the way there. Here are some other things that you can do:
- Include images that show your activity. Landscape images work best on the site. You'll need at least one image for each listing.
- Add further context by linking to your website and/or social media profile. This can give people a real feel for who you are.
- Explain what will happen the first time you attend. Try to go beyond just saying ‘turn up and find out’ – it can take a lot of mental preparation to attend a session. Think about how you welcome people into your group or organisation and be more specific. For example, say something like: ‘If you're new to the group, contact us to let us know that you are coming and one of our coaches will meet you and explain what will happen and how you can join in.’
4. Use welcoming and inclusive language
Keep your language simple and welcoming so absolutely everyone feels included.
- Talk directly to the person as if you are the organisation. Use “we” and “you.” Even if a family member, friend, or care professional is reading the listing on their behalf, write it so it can be read aloud directly to them.
- If you are using terminology or acronyms specific to your activity or organisation, make sure you explain it.
- Living Well Warrington is a site for local people. If it fits your brand and organisation, use local words or terms to talk to local people. This will help build a sense of connection and make people feel comfortable and understand that you are a local group. Do keep in mind that local words or slang can also confuse and exclude people.
- If it is relevant to what you are writing about, then talk directly to the reader as ‘people with’, ‘person with’ or ‘living with’. This helps make it clear that it is the individual you are seeing and are interested in, not their situation or condition.
Some examples:
- A person living with dementia.
- Disabled person / people.
- Wheelchair user (the wheelchair is an aid to mobility, not a personality trait).
- Black people.
- People with obesity.
- Person with a substance use addiction.
5. Be honest about outcomes
It's natural to want to promote your service positively, but avoid making promises that cannot be guaranteed.
Try to avoid statements such as:
- “You'll make new friends.”
- “This will boost your confidence.”
- “You'll leave feeling happier.”
- “Everyone gets along.”
Instead, explain what participants can expect and what you hope the activity will provide.
For example: “We hope participants will have opportunities to meet new people and build connections.”