Innovation
BfB Labs
Clinical Need
Half of all mental disorders start by the age of 14, yet up to 70% of children and young people don’t
get access to timely, appropriate support. The demand for support has been increasing with an 81% surge in referrals since the pandemic - highlighting the challenges to current models of support, and leaving services under tremendous pressure. Exposure therapy is the most effective element of CBT (recommended by NICE) but provision is sporadic as children and young people often don’t meet
treatment thresholds or they face long waiting times.
The Innovation
Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage is the only CE marked Digital Therapeutic intervention (game-based) providing instant access to therapeutic best practice in the form of psychoeeducation and exposure
therapy, empowering children and young people - as young as 7 - to self-manage their anxiety, preventing escalation & long term disorders. Lumi Nova has been designed to be accessible. It can significantly improve access to therapy for children and young people from the poorest and rural households by providing instant, safe, remote and flexible access without constant clinical supervision. It doesn’t need constant internet connection and is available for free for end users. Lumi Nova is non-stigmatising and has representation of different gender identities, faiths and disabilities in the user’s environment.
Traction
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Partnerships with the University of Reading, MindTech, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust,
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, BAFTA, Eastern AHSN -
CE marked, regulated by the UK’s MHRA as a safe-to-use Class 1a medical device and registered
with Therapeutic Goods Australia (TGA) clearance received, exclusion applied -
NHS DTAC compliant, DSP Toolkit published
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Running two implementation studies focused on tackling health inequalities experienced by children and families from poor socio-economic backgrounds and those living in rural areas
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Awards won:
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National Children & Young People's Awards 2022 and 2021 - Finalist
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Health Tech Digital Awards - 2020
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UK App of the Year - 2020
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Children's App of the Year - 2020
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LaingBuisson Primary Care & Diagnostics Awards - 2020
NHS Impact
Currently used by NHS and social care organisations and voluntary sector frontline providers (rolledout
across 18 regions in the UK) at multiple points across care pathways.
It delivers value at every point in the care pathway and provides a return on investment of up to 8.5x, leading to potential overall savings to the NHS of £55m per annum.
"I didn’t think I would be able to overcome my fear, but I think I have! It’s helped me feel like if I do have another fear then I can easily overcome it by setting myself challenges. It’s a really good game. I don’t think I would have been able to have done it without it. Ruby, BfB user"
User perspective
"From playing Lumi Nova, my daughter learned that she could reduce her fears by breaking them down step by step. It’s great that her progress can be used in other settings and applied to other anxieties she might have in the future."
Parent
Date Published
March 2023