Vocal

The Challenge

Vocal had been running their website on Perch, an older CMS that was no longer keeping pace with the organisation's needs. The site was difficult to update, limited in how content could be structured, and didn't reflect the energy of Vocal's work.

They needed a modern website that their team could manage confidently. One that made it easy to publish case studies, blog posts, resources, and opportunities without relying on a developer for every change.

The migration from Perch also meant rethinking how content was organised. Vocal's previous site had grown organically, and the structure needed tightening up to support the range of content they produce.

About the Client

Vocal is a non-profit organisation hosted by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with The University of Manchester. Their mission is to bring people from all walks of life together with health research.

They work with patients, carers, artists, researchers, scientists, and healthcare professionals to develop creative programmes that improve how health research is conducted and understood. Their work spans local, national, and international projects.

The Solution

I built Vocal's new website on Statamic, giving them a fast, secure platform with a control panel their team could pick up quickly.

A key part of the design was using Vocal's own branding to theme each page. Rather than a one-size-fits-all layout, different sections of the site have their own visual identity while staying consistent with the overall brand. This gives the site personality and helps visitors orient themselves as they move between content areas.

I set up seven collections within Statamic to organise the different types of content Vocal publishes. This means their team can add and manage case studies, blog posts, resources, publications, opportunities, and more, all from clearly separated areas of the CMS. No confusion about where things live.

Vocal use Zoho as their CRM, so I integrated Zoho Forms directly into the website. Enquiries submitted through the site feed straight into their existing workflows, keeping everything in one place.

What We Did

Migration from Perch

I migrated all existing content from Perch into Statamic, restructuring it into a cleaner information architecture along the way. This wasn't a straight copy and paste. I reviewed the content, reorganised it into logical collections, and made sure nothing was lost in the move.

Design

The design phase focused on building a component-based system that could accommodate Vocal's themed page approach. Each section of the site uses colour and layout variations drawn from their brand guidelines, so pages feel distinct without breaking the overall coherence of the site.

CMS and Collections

I configured seven collections in Statamic to match the different content types Vocal works with. Each collection has its own blueprint with tailored fields, so the editing experience is straightforward and specific to what the team is publishing.

Zoho Forms Integration

I embedded Zoho Forms throughout the site where needed, connecting directly to Vocal's CRM. This keeps their enquiry and engagement workflows running through a single system rather than introducing a separate tool.

The Result

Vocal now have a website that works as hard as they do. The site is fast, accessible, and simple to manage. Their team can publish content independently, and the themed design gives each area of the site its own character.

The move from Perch to Statamic has given them a platform they can grow with. New collections, pages, or content types can be added without reworking what already exists. And with Zoho Forms handling enquiries, the website fits neatly into their day-to-day operations.

Visit the site at wearevocal.org.