CASE STUDY
Extending therapy support beyond the treatment room with a secure digital companion
KEY Services
Research
UX/UI Design
Infrastructure
Software as a medical device
The challenge
Bridging the critical gaps throughout the mental health support lifecycle
After completing NHS Talking Therapies treatment for anxiety or depression, patients face a vulnerable transition without ongoing clinical support. Many struggle to maintain progress, while treatment materials—worksheets, notes, and coping strategies—become scattered and difficult to access when needed most.
Patients also expressed concerns about storing sensitive mental health information digitally, fearing privacy breaches. NHS Talking Therapies needed a solution that would extend therapeutic support beyond treatment while addressing these security concerns.
Key problems identified
Lack of structured support during the critical post-therapy transition period
Patient reluctance to trust digital platforms with sensitive mental health information
No centralised space for storing therapeutic resources, personal reflections, and coping strategies
The solution
A secure personal space that extends therapy's impact beyond the final session
Paddle is a patient-focused mobile app supporting mental health journeys during and after NHS Talking Therapies treatment. Developed collaboratively with patients, therapists, and researchers across Thames Valley, Paddle provides a secure space to store therapy materials, track progress, and access wellbeing resources.
Organised therapy resources
A structured digital library where users store and categorise all therapy-related materials in one easily navigable space—replacing scattered papers with an organised, searchable system accessible whenever needed.
Quick access to wellbeing tools
Curated resources including coping strategies, grounding exercises, and therapist-recommended content remain accessible after therapy ends, providing ongoing support during challenging moments.
Secure storage for sensitive information
Bank-level encryption and NHS-compliant security protocols protect personal mental health data, addressing patient privacy concerns while providing peace of mind that sensitive information remains confidential.
OUR APPROACH
Co-designing with the people who matter most
We developed Paddle through multi-year collaboration with patients, NHS clinicians, and researchers across Thames Valley. Every design decision emerged from real user needs identified through workshops, interviews, and iterative testing—combining psychological best practices with privacy-first technical architecture and extensive usability testing.
Key features
Impact and recognition
Paddle successfully launched and is now deployed across NHS Talking Therapies services nationally, available on both iOS and Android platforms. The app bridges the critical gap in post-therapy support, helping patients maintain therapeutic gains and manage their mental health independently.
“The design and build of the Paddle app by Global Initiative was a much smoother and more delightful experience than I could have hoped for. Thank you so much to all the team.”
Ineke Wolsey,
IAPT Primary Care Development Lead
