Client aim

ELFT was originally formed in 2000 and has been recognized as a center of excellence for mental health care, innovation, and improvement. The organization’s ambition was to make a positive difference by providing mental and community health care services that support recovery and help individuals achieve the most fulfilling lives possible. Everything ELFT did was driven by their values of care, respect, and inclusivity, with a focus on meeting the needs of their patients and constantly working to improve support for all who use and have contact with their services.

One of the issues ELFT needed to solve was adhering to the NHS UX Design System while updating their online services. ELFT’s extensive research approach, commitment to education, and emphasis on quality positioned them as leaders in mental health care. Their services covered a range of areas, including addiction services, community services, community mental health teams, crisis mental health teams, learning disabilities teams, psychological therapies, specialist community health services, and Telehealth. Whenever possible, their aim was to provide alternatives to hospital admission and enable individuals to receive care close to home while remaining as independent as possible.

My role

As an UX Designer on the ELFT project, I was responsible for designing and project managing new functionalities for the main website and several microsites following NHS UX Design System. I worked closely with the development team to ensure that the design was implemented effectively and met the needs of the users. We used an agile approach, with regular sprints to track progress and identify any issues.

I led efforts to evolve the project and address main tasks from the ELFT team, including the development of the “Find the Service” functionality, which allowed users to easily find the nearest and most appropriate service based on a range of filters. I also proposed implementing a more robust search function and simplifying service landing pages to provide clear and contextual information.

To support the ELFT team in managing and updating the website, I designed and developed a flexible CMS with a custom drag and drop builder. I was also involved in designing and developing several microsites, including CAMHS, SHINE, THEDS, Telehealth, QIP, Primary and Integrated Mental Health Care, the Mother and Baby Unit, MUS and VOLUME. These microsites had their own URL, visual identity, and narrative style, but shared the same hosting and CMS as the main website.

Throughout the project, I followed NHS identity guidelines in terms of colours, fonts, and branding, and conducted research using various investigative methods, including user and NHS staff interviews, focus groups, prototype testing, and user journeys. My goal was to create user-friendly and accessible websites that met the needs of ELFT’s wide audience, including patients, members, job carers, volunteers, and staff.

NHS Identity Guidelines

As an UX Designer working on NHS projects, I was responsible for following the NHS design guidelines in order to create a consistent and unified experience for patients and the public. These guidelines included the use of specific colors, fonts, and the positioning of the logo in the header.

In particular, I paid attention to the use of colors and patterns in my designs to appeal to different audiences, such as children and young people in the CAMHS microsite. I also made sure to adhere to the guidelines for the NHS logo, as its consistent application helps to establish trust and confidence in the quality of healthcare provided.

Overall, my goal was to ensure that my designs followed the NHS design guidelines in order to create a cohesive and trustworthy experience for users. I recognised the importance of the NHS brand and the need to maintain its integrity in order to provide the best possible care to patients.

Project management

As a UX Designer and Project Manager on digital projects, I ensured that the design was implemented effectively and met the needs of the users. I used an agile approach, with regular sprints and stand-ups to track progress and identify any issues. I provided regular updates and feedback to the team and used wireframes and prototypes to communicate my design vision.

I also took on the responsibilities of Project Manager, using various tools and methodologies to plan, schedule, and control the project. My goal was to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of the stakeholders. I conducted research to understand the project scope and the needs of the clients, and developed project plans and documentation to help guide the team towards successful completion. I identified and mitigated risks, and used my leadership and coaching skills to motivate and equip the team with the resources they needed to be successful.