Families wanted for our NIHR research study 💙
We’re really pleased to share that recruitment is now open for our NIHR-funded research study with the University of Plymouth.
This study will help us understand much more about the impact of Jam Up! on children’s daily routines and family life, alongside health-economic impact, use of health and support services, accessibility and inequalities.
If your family may be eligible, or you know another family who might be interested, all the key information is in the poster below.
Please do share it with anyone who may be interested in taking part
Why this research matters 💙
We know that everyday routines can have a huge impact on family life. Things like getting dressed, brushing teeth or getting out of the house can take a lot of time, prompting and energy — and when these routines are difficult, it can affect everyone.
This research will help us understand more clearly whether Jam Up! can make those everyday moments easier. We’ll be looking at things like children’s independence, family stress and confidence, and the amount of time parents and carers spend supporting routines.
We’ll also be exploring the bigger picture, including whether these challenges affect parents’ paid work, what health and support services families are using, and whether some families find it harder than others to access digital support.
That matters because, if Jam Up! is going to support more families in the future, we need good evidence about what difference it makes, who it works well for, and where there may still be barriers.
Ultimately, we want to make sure Jam Up! develops in a way that is useful, accessible and genuinely shaped by the experiences of families.
What families are telling us 💙
Our latest in-app repeat-use feedback continues to be really encouraging.
Of children who responded after using Jam Up! repeatedly, 98% said it was helping them with self-care and 90% said it helped them feel calmer. Among parent-carers, 100% said Jam Up! was helping their child become more independent and 77% reported reduced stress.
Independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone
Read 17 year old Charlotte’s full post in Instagram
We also recently received some very thoughtful feedback from Charlotte, SEND advocate and content creator @AuDHDandFND, about what independence can actually look like for a neurodivergent young person.
Charlotte described still needing significant support from her mum with everyday tasks such as choosing clothes, doing her hair, preparing food and brushing her teeth — while at the same time being able to travel independently and advocate for herself.
She wrote:
“Jam Up! has recently become one of the tools we’re using to make some of those everyday demands feel that little bit more manageable and give me more independence, without taking away the support I still need.”
And this line was particularly impactful for us:
“Independence should actually be about… having the right support and tools to do as much as you can in a way that works for you.”
Charlotte also told us:
“Honestly, I think Jam Up’s absolutely incredible. The biggest thing that stood out to me is just how much thought has clearly gone into it.”
For us, that captures something really important about Jam Up!. The aim isn’t to remove support — it’s to help children and young people do more for themselves, in a way that respects the support they still need.
If you haven’t already please do download Jam Up! using the links below or direct from the app stores and share your feedback with us.
What’s next for Jam Up!? 🚀
Alongside the research study, we’re starting the next phase of Jam Up! development and continuing to build directly from feedback from children, families and professionals.
Over the coming weeks here are just a few things we are doing:
- working directly with a SEND specialist school’s to help shape future development;
- expanding the Getting Dressed routine to include getting undressed;
- and getting some Christmas and Chinese New Year features ready to make the app feel more seasonal and fun.
We’ll keep sharing updates as these developments progress — and, as always, family and child feedback will continue to shape what we build next.