PACT (Playful Assistive Technology for Complex Trauma Healing in Children and Young People)

PACT (Playful Assistive Technology for Complex Trauma Healing in Young People) is a new interdisciplinary EPSRC funded research collaboration between UCLIC, GDI Hub, and Anna Freud led by Cathy Holloway (Professor at UCLIC, Academic Director of GDI Hub, and Honorary Research Fellow at Anna Freud) and Nick Midgley (Anna Freud /UCL). 

PACT explores how play can support recovery in children who have experienced complex trauma, and how we might co-design therapeutic technologies that help reduce the risk of long-term mental ill-health. By combining expertise in human-computer interaction, disability innovation, and child mental health, we aim to create trauma-informed tools that can be used in both clinical and home settings to support play-based, therapeutic communication.

While we recognise that technology will never replace the core therapeutic relationship, PACT is about exploring where it might gently support it. We’re particularly interested in play-based technologies that are disconnected (i.e. not online) and that can help children manage their emotions and build supportive and trusting relationships. We’re aware of the limitations—but also the possibilities—and we know we’ll only succeed if we co-design every step with young people, carers, therapists, and researchers.

A project talk and networking launch is in the planning for September. If you’d like to know more or get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us—we’d love to hear from you.

Partners and Team Leads

This project represents a collaborative effort among UCLIC, GDI Hub, and the Anna Freud Centre, with further support from PEDAL at the University of Cambridge. The core team comprises Cathy Holloway and Nick Midgley, with technological expertise provided by Tigmanshu Bhatnagar, Youngjun Cho, Martin Dechant, and Lan Xiao, and clinical expertise from Sheila Redfern, Vanessa Puetz, and Eamon McCrory. Additionally, we will collaborate with Jason Wiltshire-Mills to develop an artistic language addressing trauma.

Workstreams and milestones

PACT is structured around six work packages:

• WP1: Deep research collaboration and training across disciplines.
• WP2: Understanding play mechanics and latent vulnerabilities in young people.
• WP3: Co-designing a trauma-informed design language and toolkit.
• WP4: Developing two hybrid (digital and physical) playful assistive technologies—one for therapeutic settings and one for home use.
• WP5: Trials of the technologies with young people and carers, using validated tools like the CDPI and CPTI.
• WP6: Dissemination, public engagement, and preparation for follow-on funding.

Key milestones include a series of co-design workshops, iterative development of the technologies, and trials in both clinical and home environments.

Public engagement and events

A launch talk and networking event is planned for September to introduce the project, share early insights, and invite wider collaboration. We also plan to exhibit the resulting technologies and artefacts in a public exhibition toward the end of the project.

Contact and media enquiries

If you’d like to know more, get involved, or help us spread the word, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to hear from you. Contact: Cathy Holloway cathyholloway@annafreud.org