A mobile app called Lumi Nova, which uses immersive gameplay and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques, is showing promising results in the county as an early intervention tool for childhood anxiety.

The app was commissioned by NHS Gloucestershire ICB and Gloucestershire Healthy Living & Learning (GHLL) in 2023.

It was introduced in response to rising anxiety levels among children and increased demand for mental health services following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hayley Payne, associate director for children, young people and maternity at NHS Gloucestershire ICB, said: “Since the pandemic we’ve noticed how anxiety and emotional difficulties in younger children are having an impact on their daily lives, leading to issues with school attendance and forming social relationships.

“Lumi Nova is empowering children, families and professionals to manage mild to moderate anxiety and we’re delighted with the results of the pilot.”

Early feedback from 255 parents shows that 90 per cent of children who used the app experienced either improvement or no decline in wellbeing.

Parents, school staff and practitioners have reported reductions in anxiety and improved daily engagement among users.

Daniel Williams said his eight-year-old daughter was struggling with anxiety to the point where it was affecting her life and learning.

He said her mental health is now “so much better” after completing two quests in the game, including one about her fear of dogs, which was putting her off going to school.

“Now she can walk past a dog without fear and the walks to school are enjoyable again.

“After this quest, her teacher supported her in stroking the school’s pet therapy dog. She has never wanted to get so close to stroke a dog before.”

The app uses personalised therapeutic quests and gradual exposure to help children confront and manage their fears.

So far, more than 1,700 children aged seven to 12 in Gloucestershire have used Lumi Nova.

Of those, 71 per cent did not require further mental health support after completing the intervention.

The app is designed to be inclusive and accessible, with 12 per cent of users in Gloucestershire identified as having disabilities and 10 per cent from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Lumi Nova remains available to families in Gloucestershire through an online self-signup platform, with no referral or prescription needed.