Small Supports

As I clicked ‘Join’, a quiet wave of nerves settled in. I was about to meet Nic and Rebecca from NDTi for the first time — not realising I was stepping into one of my favourite projects so far. 

The Small Supports project, run by NDTi, aims to help people with learning disabilities live good lives with the right level of support tailored just for them. It focuses on flexible, personalised support that respects individual choices and promotes independence, dignity, and connection — making sure that everyone can find the kind of help that truly fits their life. 

Sam went out to meet the people behind these incredible, powerful stories. She’d return with videos, audio recordings, and transcripts. From there, I’d edit the material where needed, and we’d showcase each story on the website — giving every person their own webpage, like a book in a library. 

I was brought into the project to manage and design the Small Supports Living Library website. Using a website-building platform, along with design and editing software, I created a space that felt simple, warm, and focused entirely on the stories being told. I designed all the visual elements, including the animated book covers on the home page and small illustrations that gently enhance the individual stories. The overall look was intentionally minimal, using a soft colour palette and clear layout to keep the focus on the people and their voices — while also supporting accessibility, which is central to both NDTi and C-Change. 

Each story came to us in a slightly different format — some as filmed interviews, some as audio clips, and others as written text paired with video. I edited and formatted this material before embedding it into each person’s page, aiming to make the experience engaging and inclusive for anyone visiting the site. I also managed the behind-the-scenes elements like uploading new content, keeping the domain running smoothly, and working on the website’s searchability. There were a few technical challenges along the way — particularly around improving how the site appeared in search results — but navigating those became one of the most valuable learning experiences for me. While the tone and voice of the site were shaped by others, I made sure the design supported and amplified that voice in a respectful and thoughtful way. 

For me, this project opened the door to a skill I didn’t know I’d enjoy so much. I found real satisfaction in bringing together storytelling and design in a way that felt meaningful — where the tech and visuals existed purely to support people’s voices. The website showcases some of the most intense and powerful stories of people’s life journeys, many of whom have faced difficult and unfair situations. Respectfully conveying these stories was a key part of my role, and because each story was shared differently, the layout and presentation needed to be uniquely tailored to each one. This challenge inspired me to branch out in my own freelance work, taking on more projects and building my confidence in website design. It’s quickly become one of my favourite parts of what I do — and it all started with this project. 

The core intent of this project was to capture and share real-life stories from people involved in the Small Supports project. These stories give a powerful, personal insight into their lives, challenges, and triumphs — stories that might otherwise go unheard. 

At its heart, the project was guided by values of dignity, ownership, and voice. It was about creating space for people to tell their own stories on their own terms, fostering genuine human connection and respect. This wasn’t just about documenting experiences — it was about honouring the individuality and humanity behind each story. 

What set this project apart from other storytelling projects I’ve worked on was its deep commitment to authenticity and accessibility. Each story was treated uniquely, shaped by how the person wanted to share it, and presented in a way that truly centred their voice — whether through video, audio, text, or sign language. This bespoke approach made the project feel especially personal and meaningful, and it required a flexible design and technical approach to do justice to every individual’s story. 

Since launching, the Small Supports Living Library has touched many people — not only those featured in the stories but also friends, families, and visitors who find connection and understanding through these honest, personal narratives. 

While the project is currently paused, the website remains live as an important resource and a testament to the value of listening to and honouring individual stories. I hope the Living Library will continue to inspire compassion, respect, and action — encouraging more projects that put people’s voices and dignity front and centre. 

Being part of this project has been deeply meaningful for me both personally and professionally. It opened new skills and ways of working, but more importantly, it reaffirmed how powerful storytelling can be in fostering empathy and understanding. 

I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a project that values and amplifies the voices of people often unheard.  

Looking back, I’m glad I overcame my nerves and clicked ‘Join’ on that call — it turned out to be the beginning of one of the most meaningful projects I’ve been part of. 

By Iona Brownell

Check out the Small Supports website here 👇