Blue Lozenge team hires two new apprentices

Blue Lozenge is set to support the next generation of communications practitioners with the hire of two new apprentices from mid-April.

Skye Stephens joins as a content creator apprentice and Aaron Clarke as a PR and media apprentice.

In joining the Blue Lozenge team, they will work with agency clients across a wide portfolio of NHS, local authority, partnership body and private sector organisations.

Skye has previously worked in a creative marketing agency and is interested in simplifying and explaining complex topics through content creation.

Aaron has gained work experience with Sky Sports and is interested in engaging storytelling and the development of impactful campaigns.

Our client services lead, Madeleine Pinkham, said:

We are committed to developing the next generation of talent and making sure people have real opportunities to learn, grow and contribute to the profession.

Right now, there is a lot of concern across the corporate communications and creative industries about the talent pipeline, particularly the threat to junior roles from AI. Entry-level opportunities matter because of that: for the candidates themselves, and for the fresh thinking and creativity they bring into how we work. As a Bromley-based business, we are also glad to be supporting local young people in building their careers and contributing to the local economy.

Our White Ribbon pledge

Blue Lozenge takes the White Ribbon pledge to help stop male violence against women

We are proud to announce that Blue Lozenge has been awarded White Ribbon UK accreditation, affirming our commitment to ending violence against women and girls and building a culture of genuine gender equality within our organisation.

White Ribbon UK is the leading charity in England and Wales engaging men and boys in preventing violence against women and girls. Its accreditation programme recognises organisations that are willing to commit to a structure three-year action plan to drive real cultural change across the organisation.

For us, this accreditation reflects values that have defined our agency since it started. We have built our reputation around communications that help people and patients. Working alongside Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit, we are committed to reducing violence in our communities, especially against women and girls.

Our Chief Executive Rachel Royall said:

White Ribbon UK is the leading charity in England and Wales engaging men and boys in preventing violence against women and girls. Its accreditation programme recognises organisations that are willing to commit to a structure three-year action plan to drive real cultural change across the organisation.

For us, this accreditation reflects values that have defined our agency since it started. We have built our reputation around communications that help people and patients. Working alongside Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit, we are committed to reducing violence in our communities, especially against women and girls.

We recognise that as a communications agency working in health, we have both the responsibility and the platform to contribute meaningfully to this cause. We are glad to be joining the hundreds of organisations across England and Wales that are already part of the White Ribbon movement.

To find out more about White Ribbon UK and accreditation, visit White Ribbon UK

Putting patient safety in the spotlight

Supporting the Patient Safety Commissioner with a high-profile campaign for redress for patients
The challenge

For too long, patients harmed by pelvic mesh and the medicine valproate have been waiting for a Government response to a report by the Patient Safety Commissioner, Professor Henrietta Hughes. The Hughes Report, published in February 2024, followed earlier advice in October 2023, examining the harm caused to an estimated 10,000 women, and their families, affected by these interventions. On the second anniversary of her report publication, the Patient Safety Commissioner wanted support to significantly raise the profile of her enquiry to the Government about their intended response. As Professor Hughes said: “Patients’ lives don’t grind to a halt while Government departments debate jurisdiction and timelines.”

The strategy

The Patient Safety Commissioner had previously spent time lobbying Government ministers, writing to and meeting them, asking for an update on the steps taken by ministers and officials to respond to the report and its ten recommendations on redress. Despite receiving some acknowledgements during this time, no commitment to action had been obtained. In February 2026, Professor Hughes took the call for action to Number 10 Downing Street, supported by our public relations campaign.

Approach

A carefully planned media strategy was developed and delivered which achieved media coverage across national broadsheets, broadcast and healthcare journals. The strategy aimed to highlight the need for the Government to agree a concrete timeline for both financial and non-financial redress. In support, we developed social media content, articulating a clear message around a complex issue. We stayed in constant touch with the Patient Safety Commissioner as responses began to come through from the corridors of power, updating the statements accordingly.

Alongside our targeted public relations activity on marking the report anniversary, we supported the Patient Safety Commissioner with complementary work on a brand re-fresh of the corporate presentation slides, identification of events and speaking opportunities, and the development of web and social media content, including Canva assets, to help maintain the profile of the PSC office.

Impact

Our media work around the Hughes Report second anniversary delivered significant cut-through – achieving coverage across the Sunday Times, ITV, Guardian, BMJ and Pharmaceutical Journal, reaching an estimated 3.5 million people. In support, two posts by the Commissioner on LinkedIn gained 9,000 impressions, 190 likes/reactions, 11 comments and 24 reposts. The campaign successfully positioned the Commissioner’s call for concrete Government action on redress.

“The Blue Lozenge team all worked very hard in support of my call for redress, clarifying and amplifying the message. I am hopeful that this oxygen of publicity will at some point very soon help achieve the response we need and the implementation of all the report’s vital recommendations. As I said within my statement, I will not stop holding Government to account until this is resolved for the patients and families harmed.” – Professor Henrietta Hughes, Patient Safety Commissioner

If you need support with public relations and campaign communications management, contact us at hello@bluelozenge.co.uk