Children in Gloucestershire can now access an innovative new app which offers anxiety support in a fun, safe and interactive environment.

NHS Gloucestershire has worked with BFB Labs to give youngsters access to Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage, a mobile app designed specifically for children and young people aged 7-12 who may be facing difficulties with fears, worries, or anxiety.

Recommended by NICE and funded by the NHS, Lumi Nova is a fun, quest-style game which helps provide children with skills to face their worries. NHS Gloucestershire is funding free access for families in the county who may find the app useful.

Benedict Leigh, Director of Integrated Commissioning for NHS Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire County Council said: “We are delighted to offer children in Gloucestershire, and their parents, the chance to use Lumi Nova.

“We know there can be moments in every child’s life where they feel uncertain, scared or worried. Lumi Nova is a great way to help children with feelings of anxiety; whether that is being scared of the dark, worried about school or not being able to sleep. “With Lumi Nova children can select from a number of different challenges within the app which offers support to meet their needs. We’ve seen a great number of sign ups in the first six weeks and we’ve had positive feedback.”

Sue Dawe, headteacher at The Rissington School, said: “'The Rissington School was delighted to be part of the pilot in the North Cotswolds, trialling Lumi Nova as a unique and engaging way to support our pupils with their worries and anxieties.

“The children really loved setting themselves targets and working through the levels of the exciting intergalactic adventure game, whilst learning skills to self-manage their worries - skills that will support them for life. It was such an innovative way to get children involved in successfully overcoming their difficulties, and we had a number of real successes - one child who was scared of dogs will now happily approach and speak to our school reading dog.

“At a time when many children are developing low level anxieties, but when access to resources is sometimes difficult for families, it is so important to have a resource that is so readily available to everyone - all you need is a device to play the game on, and you can get going on your own 'Tale of Courage.''