The NHS is one of the most recognisable brands in the world.
When applied correctly and consistently it provides reassurance to members of the public and earns trust.
The Health Research Authority is currently developing its own unique identity that conforms with the requirements of the overall NHS brand.
We need members of the public to work with us to help develop our visual identity.
What's the activity
We are looking for three members of the public to join us for an online workshop to give feedback on some initial designs for our new visual identity. This session will be hosted by the HRA’s communications team.
What's involved
This workshop will last for around an hour and will involve:
- an introduction to the NHS visual identity
- looking at initial design concepts
- giving feedback on the concepts and suggestions for changes
Your feedback will be captured by a note taker and shared with you after the session has finished.
Following on from this workshop a preferred option will be selected. This will then be developed based on the feedback and presented back to the group in another hour-long session for final feedback.
The workshops will take place on Microsoft Teams and will include a short comfort break.
What difference will my involvement make?
The communications team will listen carefully to your feedback and suggestions, whilst also considering:
- feedback from HRA staff
- limitations from the overall NHS visual identity
- advice from graphic design experts
Your feedback will help us better understand which elements of the design options work well, and what may need further consideration.
We are keen to hear different perspectives and which option best represents the HRA and the work we do.
After the final workshop you will receive a copy of the latest designs so you can see how your feedback has been represented.
What support will I receive?
The workshops will be facilitated by Ben Solly, Senior Communications Manager at the HRA. He will be the main point of contact for this activity and on-hand to answer any questions you have.
He will talk you through the NHS visual identity and highlight some of the rules we need to follow when developing designs.
If you are invited to take part in this activity we will ask you to share your access and support requirements, and any reasonable adjustments you need. We will keep this information confidential. With your permission we will share it with HRA staff facilitating the workshop.
What skills or experience do I need to take part?
You do not need any specific skills or experience to take part in this activity. We do think it is important that you:
- are interested in graphic design or how organisations visually present themselves
- are able to take part in the workshop and feedback session
- can give clear and constructive feedback that take into account potential limitations, best practice and different views from the group
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create stronger, more creative ways of working, that help us to achieve the ambitions in our strategy.
We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, impairment, neurodiversity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse life experience such as being a carer, level of education, living in a deprived or rural area, and socio-economic background.
How do I apply?
To apply please tell us how you meet the criteria above by 12pm on Friday 10 May 2024.
You can either:
- complete our short application form
- write up to 300 words
- record a video or voice recording of no more than three minutes
Please email this to public.involvement@hra.nhs.uk using ‘get involved’ in the email subject line.
If you have any questions, or anything is unclear, you can call the public involvement team on 020 7104 8161.
How will you decide who will be involved?
We will remove your name from your application and transcribe any recordings and videos we receive into text documents. Two members of HRA staff will score against the criteria above.
We will shortlist people who have met the criteria to join the group. If we receive many applications that meet the criteria, we will select three applicants at random.
Will I receive payment?
Yes. In line with our payments policy, we can offer £75 to cover:
- attending the one-hour workshop and
- attending the one-hour feedback session
- communicating with the public involvement team to arrange meetings
- reading meeting notes
Will my expenses be covered?
Yes. It is our policy to cover reasonable expenses, if agreed in advance. For example travel, additional childcare, or for a carer or personal assistant.
We offer a £5 contribution towards any incidental expenses incurred by attending online meetings.
To find out more about how public involvement shapes the HRA’s work, take a look at previous issues of our newsletter.