Switchboard: The Call

Leveraging the power of ENTERTAINMENT to raise AWARENESS of a new free PHONE NUMBER.

THE ASK

Switchboard is a national helpline that supports LGBTQ+ people across the UK.But with hate crime against members of the community more than doubling in the last five years, Switchboard were moving to a new free 0800 number to let more people, particularly in areas of low representation,

know they’re not alone.They wanted help to advertise the new number. We saw an opportunity to do that and more.

THE STRATEGY

In a world where talking on the phone is an increasingly alien concept, we wanted to use the power of entertainment to raise awareness of Switchboard’s service to both people in need and culture at large. 

So instead of talking about the function of the free phone number, we wanted to show the power of calling it.

THE OUTPUT

To launch a national campaign we created a short film to project our message about the new number and the story behind it into culture from the start.

As well as publicising Switchboard’s work, The Call explored contemporary themes around LGBTQ+ culture to challenge perceptions and reveal truths about the community. 

The Soho House premiere was a culturally curated evening including a Q&A with cast and crew, with influential figures from Channel 4, Independent Talent, WP-A and Lammas Park in attendance.

Digital OOH - provided for free across the country - carried a QR code that led audiences directly to the film.