Buddy is a digital tool to support therapy services. Clients use text messaging to keep a daily diary of what they are doing and how they are feeling, helping to spot and reinforce positive behaviours. Find out more at www.buddyapp.co.uk

1. Therapy services in a digital world

2. THE VISION

3. BUDDY APP: SIMPLE PROPOSITION
To use ubiquitous text-messaging
to give users a tool for taking
more control of their recovery and
as a resource for collaborating
with professionals to achieve their
goals

4. BUDDY APP PROVIDES
Buddy is a digital tool to support therapy services.
It enables clients to:
– Keep a daily diary via SMS
– Spot patterns via a website
– Be reminded about session appointments via SMS
– Create their own session plans in advance
– Set and receive behavioural activation goals via SMS

5. PLAY FILM
Only 3 minutes!

7. BENEFITS
SERVICE USERS PROFESSIONALS MANAGERS
Spot Patterns Rich Insight Improved DNA rate
Improved Communication Make Time in Therapy Caseload management
Create Control Focus on Goals
Appointment reminders
Happier users, enabled clinicians, and more
efficient services

8. SLaM Service
SERVICE USERS PROFESSIONALS MANAGERS
Improved quality of life in 63% Compliance 7% DNA decrease
87.5% of users
(from previous trial)
57.1% of users reported 71% users felt it allowed
decrease in CORE-10 for more open and
honest discussion
100% of users said
they would use again
* Published data from the SLaM EIS 100 week trial

9. USER FEEDBACK
“Buddy helped me communicate
better with my therapist, and it
helped me to spot patterns and see
what I was doing or not doing.
Buddy really felt like a friend
checking up on me at the end of
the day. Sometimes it was the only
contact I would have throughout
the day. It's something that helped
point me in the direction of change,
and which I then felt better able to
act on."
Helena, Service user

10. CLINICIAN FEEDBACK
Eric Morris, Clinical Director, EIS, SLaM
"The idea of Buddy is to put the person's goals at the centre of their treatment. I've
noticed that the ones who are using it have become more focused in what they want
to get out of our meetings. Early intervention service users usually have problems
with depression and anxiety and Buddy gives them support during the week when
they're not seeing a therapist."

11. Stockport IAPT, Self Help Services
SERVICE USERS PROFESSIONALS MANAGERS
100% of users satisfied 100% clinicians would
with care received use again in the future 4.5% DNA decrease
63.8% reported 83% felt it allowed
4% canc. decrease
decrease in PHQ9 and for more open and
GAD7 scores honest discussion
500 additional clinical hours
Improved quality of life
in 89.2% of users
£25k additional income (PbR)
* Published data from the SHS Buddy Trial Outcome report
* All data over historic baseline

12. CEO FEEDBACK
Nicky Lidbetter, Chief Officer, Self Help Services
“With the increasing demand for providers of mental health services to
deliver more for less, Buddy contributes to system efficiency and enhances
patient experience by promoting the collaborative nature of therapy sessions.
This enables patients to feel more in control of their interaction with the
service. ”

13. RETURN ON INVESTMENT
• For service providers moving towards PbR, Buddy
offers increased:
– Throughput
– Efficiency
– Outcomes

14. CLINICAL FEEDBACK
“Buddy is being used in a variety of
ways in addition to routine activity
and mood monitoring. These
include: pain diary, alcohol diary,
monitoring flashbacks, monitoring
for dissociation, promoting
grounding techniques and
mindfulness such as 'remember to
notice where you are’ and ‘what
you are doing right now?”
Regarding impact on DNA and
CNA rates, it’s also having a
positive effect of reducing DNA's”
Dr Alan Barrett, Clinical Lead

15. SUMMARY
• Buddy has been designed to specifically support mental health
pathways
• Built to improve user engagement
• Designed around everyday lives, and everyday technology
• Improves the relationship between professional and service user
• Empowering and non-stigmatising

16. ABOUT US
• Incubated by Sidekick Studios, Buddy Enterprises Ltd brings together
business, design, digital and mental health professionals
• Developed in collaboration with SLaM’s CMHTs & Early Intervention in
Psychosis service & Rethink’s NE Essex Health in Mind IAPT service
• Current clients:
– NW Regional IAPT for Military Veterans service (Pennine Healthcare
NHS Trust)
– Nottingham Healthcare NHS Trust
– Self Help Services Stockport
– Kent & Medway NHS Trust
– West London Mental Health Trust
– Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Trust
– Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Trust
– Mental Health Matters

17. Awards / Recognition
Gold Award Winner 2012 Finalist 2012
Community & Social Mobile App Innovation in Mental Health
www.lovieawards.eu

18. james@buddyapp.co.uk
syed@buddyapp.co.uk
www.buddyapp.co.uk