Public Funding for Happyr Ltd

Happyr Health is a UK-based digital health company founded by two chronic pain patients. It is following a vision to bring wellbeing and health into the lives of adolescents with chronic pain. Adolescents with chronic pain need to access information and interactive exercises not only for their physical health but equally for their emotional and social wellbeing. However, the NHS currently cannot provide the recommended support to all who need it. Throughout the country, only very few specialist clinics are available which are costly and inefficient for the NHS and the increasing demand year on year for these services cannot be met by paediatric clinics (Campbell, 2022; PICANet, 2021; RCPCH, 2019; Forster, 2017). Utilising the Design Foundation competition funding, we are seeking to design an easily accessible and user-friendly digital pain clinic for adolescents suffering from migraine. Aim of the clinic is to give patients easy access to quality education about their disease, recommended self-care exercises and contact with migraine/pain experts. In a design research process together with the University of Stirling and the National Migraine Centre, we will identify the needs of adolescents with chronic pain, involve them directly for feedback and test the first prototype with users. The project will be managed and conducted by Happyr Health, an established player in paediatric chronic pain management. Happyr Health's product portfolio to support adolescents with migraine includes the self-management app 'Tamer' (currently being evaluated in a study with the University of Stirling) and its online (\#1 in Healthcare @Udemy) pain management parent course. The proposed Design Foundations grant project is for six months and would enable the company to develop a high-fidelity prototype which will then be available for follow-on pilot projects.

Happyr Health is a UK-based digital health company founded by two chronic pain patients. It is following a vision to bring wellbeing and health into the lives of adolescents with chronic pain. Adolescents with chronic pain need to access information and interactive exercises not only for their physical health but equally for their emotional and social wellbeing. However, the NHS currently cannot provide the recommended support to all who need it. Throughout the country, only very few specialist clinics are available which are costly and inefficient for the NHS and the increasing demand year on year for these services cannot be met by paediatric clinics (Campbell, 2022; PICANet, 2021; RCPCH, 2019; Forster, 2017). Utilising the Design Foundation competition funding, we are seeking to design an easily accessible and user-friendly digital pain clinic for adolescents suffering from migraine. Aim of the clinic is to give patients easy access to quality education about their disease, recommended self-care exercises and contact with migraine/pain experts. In a design research process together with the University of Stirling and the National Migraine Centre, we will identify the needs of adolescents with chronic pain, involve them directly for feedback and test the first prototype with users. The project will be managed and conducted by Happyr Health, an established player in paediatric chronic pain management. Happyr Health's product portfolio to support adolescents with migraine includes the self-management app 'Tamer' (currently being evaluated in a study with the University of Stirling) and its online (\#1 in Healthcare @Udemy) pain management parent course. The proposed Design Foundations grant project is for six months and would enable the company to develop a high-fidelity prototype which will then be available for follow-on pilot projects.

Millions of children worldwide suffer from recurring or chronic pain. In many cases, specialists and scientists have no explanation for the underlying cause. Hence, families are left to an exhaustive trial and error process to find relief for their children. Happyr Health is developing digital solutions to combat the emotional and social challenges that young chronic pain patients face. Using evidence-based psychotherapy techniques, elements from mobile gaming and storytelling, and applying artificial intelligence, Happyr Health aims to provide personalised support for children. I am Nicola, co-founder of Happyr Health, and suffer from migraine, the second leading cause for years lived with disability, since age 4\. Building on my health challenges, I am envisioning a future where children learn how to deal with chronic pain early on. Not only, to spare them from exacerbating pain, but also to enable them to prosper mentally and socially, which will improve their quality of life in the long-term. The objective of this award is to research and develop the artificial intelligence algorithm that can provide children with the therapy approach that fits their challenges. As the final output of the project, we will have developed an app, informed by patients, parents, and professionals, which we will be ready to be tested in the efficacy study we are preparing. At the same time, the Women in Innovation Award will allow me as a female founder to receive support from experts to disseminate our innovation, establish new partnerships with healthcare institutions, and develop a sustainable business model. All of this will guide us towards our goal of reducing children's suffering from chronic pain worldwide.