Play Well For Life’s (PWFL) Dragons of Afterlands is a pioneering augmented reality (AR) board game co-created with young people, psychologists, and educators. Designed to support adolescents’ socioemotional development, the game improves communication, emotion regulation, and resilience through immersive, evidence-based gameplay.
PWFL is currently working with a number of NHS Trusts and schools, and in 2025 was shortlisted for an HSJ award.
The organisation is being supported by the Mindset‑XR Innovation Support Programme, further strengthening its development and impact within mental health innovation.
The healthcare challenge
Adolescents living with long-term health conditions often face a triple burden: social isolation, disrupted education, and elevated mental health risks.
Research shows that young people with chronic physical illnesses are 60% more likely to develop a mental health condition by age 15 (Brady et al., 2020) yet, hospital and alternative education environments frequently lack tools that are both clinically effective and developmentally appropriate.
The absence of suitable, youth-focused engagement tools also places a significant strain on staff. Without effective ways to connect with children and young people, clinical interactions become less productive, leading to repeated or prolonged appointments. This inefficiency increases workload pressures and contributes to reduced staff morale and satisfaction.
The innovator’s journey
PWFL was founded with a clear mission: to make psychological support more accessible to young people who struggle with traditional therapeutic models. Recognising the power of game-based and group learning, the team set out to create tools that foster connection, confidence, and emotional expression.
Over five years of development, Dragons of Afterlands has been shaped by the lived experiences of young people and the expertise of clinicians and educators. The journey has not been without challenges, including navigating NHS infrastructure, ensuring infection control compliance, and designing a board that fits on hospital overbed tables while remaining AR-compatible. Each obstacle has refined the product, making it more robust and user-friendly.
“The game gave us a shared focus [with patients], which made it much easier to build trust and have meaningful conversations.”Healthcare professional, Great Ormond Street Hospital Play Team
Impact and outcomes
PWFL has achieved significant milestones:
- Promoting inclusion and communication among peers with 100% of staff members observed young people engaging with other players in the game.
- Supporting early intervention and prevention strategies with 80% of staff said that young people built good relationships with staff.
- Equipping professionals with accessible, engaging psychosocial tools with 75% of staff members observing a young person who is usually very quiet engage in some discussion.
- Reducing health and education inequalities for adolescents excluded from mainstream settings with 73% of young people had positive group interactions while playing the game.
- Innovate UK Mindset-XR funding, including a recent award to evaluate the game’s impact on adolescents with Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) in partnership with the University of the West of England.
- National recognition as a shortlisted project for the 2025 HSJ Award for Reducing Inequalities and Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People.
Working together for better outcomes
PWFL is keen to build meaningful partnerships with organisations and individuals who wish to improve outcomes for children and young people. The team always welcomes a conversation to explore new ideas and collaboration opportunities.
If you are interested in finding out more, email claire@pwflhealth.com
Want to find out more about our Mindset-XR Innovation Support Programme?
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