Dravet Syndrome UK

A major revamp

Dravet Syndrome UK (DSUK) approached us with a clear objective: to revamp their existing website into a more intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly platform that effectively serves both families affected by Dravet Syndrome and healthcare professionals. 

The previous site presented significant challenges in navigation, content clarity, and accessibility, making it difficult for users to find the critical information they needed.

Understanding users’ needs

To ensure the new website truly met user needs, we embarked on an extensive user research and discovery phase. This involved conducting two user workshops – one with families and another with healthcare professionals – in order to discover what the key pain points were. Additionally, we performed a card sorting exercise to optimise website navigation and structure, and conducted an in-depth analysis of user behaviours to align content with real-world needs.

From this research, several key findings emerged:

1. Difficulty in Finding Information Quickly: Both families and professionals struggled to locate specific resources promptly, often navigating through multiple pages. Professionals, in particular, needed instant access to concise, reliable medical and treatment information.
2. Content Loops and Navigation Issues: Users frequently found themselves in circular navigation paths, landing on irrelevant or overly distressing content prematurely. For instance, bereavement pages often appeared before users had a comprehensive understanding of Dravet Syndrome itself.
3. Need for Community and Support: Families expressed a strong desire for personal stories, peer support, and content that provided hope. They also sought clearer guidance on transitioning from childhood to adulthood, covering aspects like education, healthcare, and social services.
4. Lack of Awareness of Professional Membership Benefits: Healthcare professionals were often unaware of DSUK’s professional membership advantages and required clearer messaging on the benefits of joining.

The perfect solution

Armed with these insights, we set out to design a fully restructured digital platform that prioritises clarity, accessibility, and user experience. 

Key improvements included:

1. User-Friendly Navigation System: We implemented a simplified menu structure, reducing the number of clicks needed to access key information. A structured content hierarchy was established to ensure families and professionals could navigate seamlessly, with clearer signposting to introduce sensitive topics like bereavement at appropriate times.
2. Professional Knowledge Hub: A dedicated section for healthcare professionals was created, offering guidelines, research updates, and other essential information. Quick search functionality was added, allowing professionals to find specific insights efficiently. 
3. Enhanced Community Presence: We incorporated real-life stories from families to provide encouragement and shared experiences. A ‘Journey’ section was developed to map out key milestones of those living with Dravet Syndrome.
4. Improved Mobile Accessibility: The website was designed to be fully responsive, optimised for on-the-go access. Larger, clearer text and reduced scrolling improved readability on mobile devices.
5. Inclusive and Accessible Content: We improved content display by balancing long-form information with bite-sized, digestible summaries. Multimedia enhancements, including video content were added and better representation in imagery ensured a diverse and inclusive reflection of the Dravet Syndrome UK’s community.

A future-proofed website

The collaboration with Dravet Syndrome UK resulted in a website that is not just a static information source but an evolving platform designed to grow with the needs of its users.

The new site offers families easier access to the support networks offered by the charity, helpful information and resources empower them on their journey, and personal stories that provide hope and guidance.

A streamlined hub now provides healthcare professionals with authoritative information about all aspects of Dravet Syndrome, from diagnosis to management, and helpful resources to share with families.

And for DSUK, they now have a future-proofed digital strategy, built to adapt and scale over time.

A vital resource

By placing real user needs at the heart of our design, we’ve created a website that is more than just a digital presence – it’s a companion and helping hand for families and professionals navigating the complexities of Dravet Syndrome.

This project reinforces our commitment to user-first design in the charity sector. As we continue to work with DSUK, we’ll monitor site performance, refine content strategies, and ensure that the platform remains a powerful resource for years to come.

If your organisation is looking for a digital partner who listens, understands, and devises solutions geared for maximum impact, let’s talk.

Get in touch today!

www.dravet.org.uk