Healthy Island

Healthy Island is a fun, replayable, game for children ages 7–11 years old. It encourages them to think about health and wellbeing choices in three areas: exercise, healthy eating and dental health.

Healthy Island was commissioned by West Wakefield Health and Wellbeing Ltd, a group of six GP practices in West Wakefield. As part of our 'Disruptive Prevention' MCP Vanguard remit from NHS England to find new models of care for our communities, we have been working across our networks in Wakefield to support a population of 152,000 people. We are constantly looking at new and innovative digital ways of delivering health promotion and services.

The app was a result of the Schools App Challenge 2016. Healthy Island is based on Horbury Bridge Academy's winning concept that was presented to a judging panel that included NHS England, West Wakefield Health and Wellbeing, NHS Wakefield CCG, Wakefield Council, Wakefield Public Health and Microsoft.

Many of the monsters, game names and settings in Healthy Island were co-designed with Wakefield schools, including Horbury Bridge Academy and Runners Up Sandal Castle Primary, who designed 'Coach Clyde'. Other schools involved in the co-design work were Towngate Primary, Horbury Primary and Hendal Primary Schools.

Healthy Island is the second app to launch as a result of the Schools App Challenge. You can also download Dragon In The Attic from www.dragonapp.me and enjoy more fun games and quizzes that help young people deal with mental health issues, including bullying.

Healthy Island currently features three quizzes and one game. We will be adding two more games later this year.