The new Ectopic Pregnancy Trust online forum is live
On October 24th, 2024, after a mammoth amount of hard work, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new online peer to peer forum for The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust (EPT). This milestone marks the culmination of a dedicated team effort across both the client and agency sides, and a long-awaited update to a space that has supported thousands of individuals for over 15 years. Now, thanks to this collective effort, the EPT forum is ready to continue providing a safe, supportive, and modern community for those affected by ectopic pregnancy.
The forum relaunch comes as the next big step following the full redesign of the charity's website back in 2022, which laid the foundation for a more user-friendly and resource-rich digital presence. The old forum, which had been running on the phpBB platform for over a decade, was a vital part of the charity’s offering but had begun to show its age. Our mission was clear: to bring it bang up to date, ensuring that this invaluable resource could serve its users even better for many years to come.
What problems did we have to solve?
After a thorough technical review, our team found several key areas for improvement:
- The current platform is outdated and difficult to update.
- Over 90% of our visitors access the site via mobile phones, but the forum wasn’t optimised for mobile use.
- The supportive conversations happening in the forum aren’t being picked up by search engines, making it harder for people to find this valuable resource.
A collaborative journey: Client, agency, and partners
From the start, this project was a true partnership. The EPT team and our crew at Bravand worked hand-in-hand throughout the process, ensuring that every decision made was with the end user in mind. This wasn't just about creating something shiny and new—it was about ensuring that the forum continued to be a place where people could find solace, support, and reliable information.
Our work began with in-depth user research and testing of the existing platform to understand what was working, what wasn’t, and how we could deliver the best experience possible. From there, the project moved into scoping, UX design, data planning, and migration; to ensure a seamless transition for users both regular and new who depend on this community.
A new home: Powered by Discourse
One of the most exciting aspects of this project was our collaboration with Discourse, the new forum software platform we’ve partnered with for the relaunch. Known for its flexibility, user-friendly interface, and powerful moderation tools, Discourse allows the EPT forum to offer an improved experience for both new and returning users. The platform is modern, scalable, and equipped to handle the needs of a growing community, making it the perfect fit for the next chapter of the EPT’s digital journey.
Turning vision into reality: Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund
None of this would have been possible without the crucial support of The National Lottery Community Fund, whose funding made this transformative project a reality. Their belief in the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust’s mission and the power of this forum to support those affected by ectopic pregnancy has been instrumental in driving the project forward. Their investment allowed us to dedicate the time, resources, and expertise needed to deliver something truly special for the community.
Our online forum has been one of the crucial resources on The EPT website for over 15 years. It was one of the original support routes provided by the charity and continues to be used regularly by the community. Following the relaunch of our site in 2022, this piece of work is yet another major new milestone for the charity's ability to support in the digital space; the space that we know people come to first and then time and again. The fact that we get to co-design these solutions with Bravand AND our own volunteers and partners means that we're confident we have got the solution right.
Munira Oza, Chief Executive of The EPT
Creativity, planning, and design: Building for the future
Throughout the project, creativity and careful planning were at the core of every decision. The UX work was particularly focused on building a space that was not just functional, but welcoming. Where those affected by ectopic pregnancy in any way can easily find the support they need. We wanted to ensure that even in a digital space, the forum feels like a caring environment. The design reflects this ethos, aligned with the fresh look we introduced with the 2022 website redesign, creating a cohesive digital presence across the charity.
But it wasn’t just about appearances. Data planning was key, as we needed to ensure the transition to the new forum would be smooth and secure, while protecting the sensitive information shared within the community.
A forum built for the people who use it
This forum is more than just an upgrade; it’s a space rebuilt with the community at its heart. We’re proud to have worked so closely with the EPT team, drawing on their deep understanding of the people who use this forum and the critical role it plays in their lives and building a system that, as moderators and supporters of the community, is easy and effective to use. With the new platform in place, we’re confident that the forum will continue to be a place where people can connect, share, and find support during some of their most difficult moments.
As this project draws to a close, we’re looking forward to seeing how the EPT forum will continue to grow and thrive. With Discourse’s flexibility, the forum is now future-proofed, ready to evolve alongside its users’ needs.
Here’s to many more years of support, connection, and community at The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust.
Massive congrats to the EPT Team, Discourse, Team Bravand legends including Aga and Ashanee on managing the project, Alexa and Kiran for their UX championship, and Michal and Team Satori of their technical support at that crucial deployment stage.
