Trust appoints Social Enterprise ‘Scotland’s Bravest’ to Rebrand Signage Across Scotland

Trust Housing Association has appointed social enterprise, Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing
Company (SBMC) to undertake the supply and fit of new site signage across all of Trust’s housing communities, covering 23 local authorities in Scotland. SBMC are considered to be a market leader in the production of signs and provide vital employment to military veterans, people with disabilities and others facing barriers to employment, alongside delivering nationally recognised
training, qualifications, volunteering and development opportunities for over 100 personnel since it opened in 2019.

Trust have recently rebranded to celebrate their milestone 50th birthday, with a new look website
and social media platforms launched last year. Trust and SBMC will be working together to
continue the rebranding exercise by replacing over 500 old and dated signs with new, modern,
up-to-date logos and graphics. Re-branding has given Trust the opportunity to adopt a modern,
bold and engaging brand and visual identity. The new brand and visual identity remains true to
Trust’s purpose to 'make a positive difference to the lives of the customers and communities
we serve', with the stylisation of the ‘r’ and ‘u’ forming a ‘link’ graphic, representing an ever important connection with customers.

As part of the contract, SBMC have provided two university students with work experience to
support them in achieving their Graphic Design qualifications by assisting in the production of
Trust’s rebranded signage at their state-of-the-art factory in Erskine. SBMC’s manufacturing
process also has built-in practices to ensure waste is minimised throughout the organisation,
extensively recycling and re-using any materials not necessary in the manufacturing process.
Where recycling is not possible there is a process in place to ensure excess waste can be used
to generate low carbon electricity.

As part of the signage contract, all scrap value from the old existing Trust signs across Scotland
will be donated to Trust’s Customer Hardship Fund. The fund was established in 2023 as part of
Trust’s response to the cost-of-living crisis, to assist customers who are struggling with financial
hardship. Over 300 customers benefitted from the fund in 2023, and due to the signage contract,
the fund will be bolstered further to support even more customers throughout this current year.

Jackie McIntosh, Director of Assets and Sustainability at Trust commented “We are delighted to
be working with SBMC on the rebranding and replacement of our site signage in our communities
across the length and breadth of Scotland. SBMC are very much aligned to many of our own social
and sustainability values. The contract will not only deliver new signs, which will provide a
stronger, clearer and more unified presence to customers, colleagues, and visitors alike, but will
also provide a valuable contribution to our customer hardship fund through the recycling of
redundant signs. We look forward to seeing the new signage start to appear throughout our
communities over the next few months”

Robert Lappin, Assistant Director of SBMC said: “We are delighted to have secured the contract
to supply Trust with their new signage for all of their sites in Scotland. Every contract we secure
ensures that we can continue to offer veterans and others with disabilities the opportunities they
need to regain their independence through work and personal development. Every contract we
secure ensures Social Impact. Working with Trust who share our values and genuinely care for
people, is the icing on the cake! We look forward to getting started on full scale manufacturing
imminently.”