Client: King's College London

An app to support Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy

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The Mindfulness for Adolescents and Carers (MAC) programme delivers specialised Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to young people aged 15-18 and their carers. The programme required a digital solution to extend their therapeutic support beyond the classroom, ensuring participants could maintain their mindfulness practice effectively between sessions and after programme completion.

The challenge

MAC's innovative approach to youth mental health needed an equally innovative digital companion. The challenge lay in translating their successful in-person programme into an engaging mobile experience that would resonate with both teenagers and their carers. The solution needed to support different user journeys, maintain engagement over the eight-week programme, and provide a sustainable platform for continued mindfulness practice.

The solution

Digital Marmalade crafted separate but complementary iOS and Android applications for both adolescents and their carers. Our in-house team managed the entire development process, from initial concept through to final delivery, ensuring a cohesive user experience throughout.

  • Intuitive weekly progression that mirrors the in-person programme structure
  • Professionally recorded guided meditation sessions with crystal-clear audio quality
  • Bespoke illustrations created by our in-house design team, ensuring visual consistency and engagement
  • Push notification reminders to support regular practice
  • Personalisation options allowing users to bookmark favourite resources and to customise and personalise the app
  • Progressive feature revelation aligned with the weekly programme structure
  • Persistent access to resources after programme completion

Technical implementation

Digital Marmalade built the applications using Flutter for both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring optimal performance and user experience. We implemented a sophisticated content management system that allows for easy updates and maintenance, whilst maintaining the security and privacy standards essential for mental health applications.

Results

The MAC App successfully bridges the gap between structured therapy sessions and independent practice. Its thoughtful design and engaging content support user retention, whilst the separate versions for adolescents and carers ensure appropriate content delivery for each audience. The app has become an integral part of the MAC programme, enhancing its effectiveness in supporting young people's mental health journey.

The application not only serves as a practical tool for session summaries and practice reminders but has evolved into a comprehensive pocket companion for mindfulness practice. By combining professional audio content, interactive elements, and personalised features, we've created a digital solution that truly supports the therapeutic journey of both young people and their carers.

This digital transformation of traditional mindfulness practices demonstrates how thoughtful technology implementation can enhance therapeutic programmes, making mental health support more accessible and engaging for young people in their daily lives.