Publish date: 4 July 2025
This Co-production Week, we’re shining a spotlight on how collaboration between service users, carers and staff is shaping the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) at West London NHS Trust.
Launched this year, PCREF is about recognising systemic inequalities and improving access, outcomes and experience for people from racialised, and culturally diverse communities. The framework, which is mandated nationally across England, guides Trusts to listen to the voices of people from diverse backgrounds and work together with them to coproduce culturally appropriate services.
“PCREF isn’t a one-off initiative—it is a commitment to embedding racial equity in health services,” says Alex Watson, Head of Involvement, Co-production and Partnerships. “Working groups have now been set up across all our clinical services, bringing together service users, carers and staff to tackle the issues and improve race equity at every level.”
Christopher Essel, an illustrator by background and former service user, is part of the PCREF communications group, a sub-group of the programme, and explains why this work is vital. “As a Black man, I know that people like me can sometimes be seen and treated differently. It’s things like not having culturally sensitive haircare options, or not showing emotion because it’s seen as anger.
“These issues can have a big impact on someone’s experience in mental health services. Being part of the PCREF work means helping staff understand these experiences and being part of the change.”
As part of the group, Chris contributed to a key piece of work: the development of a new visual identity for PCREF. Working alongside others with lived experience, carers, staff and community groups, the group co-created a visual identity that reflects PCREF’s core values: trust, inclusivity, strength, and unity.
Through open discussion and thoughtful design, every element—from colour to composition— was shaped by the group’s shared experiences and intentions.
“While it may seem like a small output, the process—and the intention behind it—represents something much bigger” says Chris Frederick, another member of the PCREF working group and living experience advocate.
“This visual identity isn’t just an image; it’s a reflection of the conversations, passion, and purpose behind the PCREF journey, it reminds us that even small things—like choosing the right shape or colour—can have a real impact when they come from genuine understanding.”
Chris E, who illustrated the design, adds, “while I designed it, the inspiration came from the real experiences and voices of the communities we represent. The PCREF visual identity is a collective effort, shaped by the ideas and perspectives of real people.”
Alex Watson reflects on what this process represents, “being part of this group has been an amazing experience from start to finish. Harnessing passion and lived experience where everyone’s voice is heard has resulted in something much more than a visual identity for our PCREF programme. It’s something we can all be proud of and it makes me optimistic about what comes next.”
What’s next?
The group has big plans and the PCREF visual identity will soon appear alongside the West London NHS Trust logo on PCREF communications, leaflets, presentations, and staff materials not just as a design element, but as a reminder of our shared purpose.
The group are also:
Developing an introductory poster for staff, service users, carers, and families
Working on a newsletter to coincide with the PCREF launch in September
Exploring opportunities to involve more voices—from young people to community groups.
“This is just the beginning”, says Chris F, “and if the creation of this visual identity has shown us anything, it’s that small things—done with care—can spark the biggest changes. “Together, we’re building more than a framework—we’re building trust, visibility, and change.”
If you’d like to get involved or find out more contact us on westlondonpcref@westlondon.nhs.uk
