Organisation type
Charity/third sector
Sector
Health and social care
Service
As the first wave of COVID-19 hit the UK in March 2020, UK Biocentre was asked to pause its existing work and rapidly transition into a major national testing facility. The organisation needed a clear, coordinated communications strategy to demonstrate its critical role in the national response. Barley, as a healthcare communications agency, was asked to articulate this impact and provide communications support with government to help UK Biocentre engage stakeholders, manage intense media attention and explain its contribution to the testing programme.
Our role centred on ensuring UK Biocentre’s work was understood, trusted and accurately represented during a period of national pressure and scrutiny. Working closely with communications teams at the Department of Health and Social Care and Downing Street, we enabled high-profile visits from both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State — showcasing the scale and importance of the operation.To bring the story to life, we interviewed and filmed the young scientists driving the testing effort, creating content that highlighted both scientific rigour and human dedication. We also partnered with Go Forth to develop clear, accessible animation and video materials that explained the testing process, helping the public and media understand the complexity and value of UK Biocentre’s work.
UK Biocentre went on to test more than 10 million COVID-19 samples, providing vital capacity that helped the UK reopen safely and contributing to the early identification of the Kent variant. Throughout a period of intensive — and often critical — media attention, our guidance ensured accurate reporting, strong collaboration with DHSC colleagues, and timely responses to UK and international outlets. The communications programme helped establish UK Biocentre as a central and trusted part of the national testing effort.
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