Sea Communications

From their light, airy office overlooking Jubilee Wharf in Penryn, SEA Communications are making a name for themselves as a creative, digital and marketing agency with an altruistic streak.

The company, formed in 2003 by husband and wife team Robert and Kathryn Woolf, made the move to Cornwall in late 2005 following the birth of their first child. "We moved here primarily due to the lifestyle", says Kathryn. "When we were based in Bristol we worked with companies like Zurich and Bradford Bingley – located in Swindon and London. The nature of our work means that we could work anywhere, and we were lured to Cornwall by the promise of a better way of life for our family."

Kathryn and Robert have a strong belief in ‘giving back to the community’, and to that end they are involved in a number of projects that help others to develop their skills and potential. This is reflected in Rob’s work with Knowle West Media Centre, Bristol, where his focus is on developing digital and business skills in a previously digitally and socially excluded community. It is also evident in the level of commitment and enthusiasm SEA have demonstrated with their work for the DOTT Cornwall project.

DOTT (Design of the Times) Cornwall is a 10 year project that brings together local communities and world-class designers to work on projects that improve how Cornish residents live, work and play. There are a number of different projects under the DOTT umbrella and SEA communications are the team behind the New Work Project. New Work uses a creative, people-centred methodology to break down the barriers that may prevent the newly redundant (or those facing redundancy) from accessing new skills and employment opportunities.

Kathryn says: “The project is about understanding people’s needs - engaging them in a creative way and capturing their experiences and stories about redundancy. We can then design a service for them that provides information and access to job opportunities within Cornwall”.

Since moving to the County the team has grown. Unlocking Cornish Potential (UCP) helped SEA find their first placement – designer Mike Hewitt. Initially placed on a three month contract to provide SEA with a website, Mike has now become an integral member of the team approaching his first year of employment. He has worked on projects for Bristol City Council and The Department for Children, Schools and Families

The team grew again recently when Helena Graham, another UCP graduate with a background in spatial design, came on board. Helena is responsible for design research, and project management - helping Kathryn with a number of the projects she is involved in, particularly in the area of community engagement with the DOTT Cornwall New Work project.

Kathryn and Robert feel that they are reaping the rewards of relocating to the county. Kathryn says: "Being based in Cornwall has given us the lifestyle benefits we were seeking as well as the space to think creatively and adapt our business to focus on our core strengths and beliefs. Now we have a small team with a great working culture - young creative people who are very happy to be based in Cornwall."

When SEA arrived in the County they received networking contacts through Cornwall Pure Business (now known as InvestinCornwall). They received a great deal of support with recruitment and advice through UCP and help from Business Link.