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We combine psychology and game design to create captivating experiences with evidence‑informed wellbeing woven throughout.
Where art and games meet child wellbeing
What we're creating
We’re an independent Manchester-based team building captivating games with trusted partners, integrating emotional health skills into every experience. Our first game is in development. We’re sharing the direction and keeping the specifics under wraps for now.
Game for 6-11 year olds to play at home
A welcoming game world that children and families can explore together. Meaningful choices and gentle guidance that help feelings make sense and provide everyday tools for a healthier mind.
Companion path for other settings
Tuned for short sessions at school and other child-facing settings with familiar characters and environments enhancing wellbeing benefits in other areas of a child's life.
Why this matters
Growing evidence shows that support embedded in great play sticks more easily.
Everyday skills can support healthier minds early, reducing the need of crisis support.
Funders and Supporters
MITIH / Innovate UK (Dreamlab Future Media Residency)
This early R&D support enabled us to research a scalable animation approach to deliver empathic character responses; develop a GDPR-compliant prototype ready for school-scale testing; and co-design with game designers, educators, therapists, animators, creatives and children. Keeping the work innovative, user-centred, and ethically robust.
GMCA Foundational Economy Innovation Fund
Local support from the Greater Manchester region has enabled us to expand our game world and develop engaging, scalable core game mechanics adaptable for future uses. The Fund’s focus on innovation in the everyday economy aligns with our aim to deliver practical, preventive mental health support at scale.
In parallel, the GM Growth Company has provided hands-on business support toward sustainable regional impact.
University of Salford / MITIH (Tech Assist Programme)
With funded support from the University of Salford’s Tech Assist programme, we’ve developed a secure platform that helps teachers and other professionals hear directly from children. It transforms those insights into timely, practical, strengths-based support, strengthening the ecosystem of care around each child.
Our Story
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The Emotional Health Hub was founded by childhood friends Mary Harris (child art therapist) and Dr Jen McGahan (psychologist and researcher). After years working in an overstretched, reactive system, and seeing how powerfully the arts can support mental health, we set out to build early, engaging support that truly captivates -- imaginative worlds of metaphor, rich characters and storytelling.
We blend child psychology with game design, co-designing with children so that every feature is child-led and child-approved, warm rather than clinical. Along the way, we’ve collaborated with experienced developers, educators, clinicians and creatives to keep the work fun and genuinely meaningful.
We’ve partnered with Krygon Studios, an Emmy-winning game art & development studio led by industry veterans, delivering across AAA, mobile and VR.
Krygon has been a core part of our journey, contributing significant time and expertise across multiple development phases.
How we work
Engagement First
Compelling, frictionless play comes before everything else
Evidence Informed
Wellbeing principles guide design without compromising fun
Child Led
Co‑design and frequent testing with children shape decisions
Safety & Privacy
GDPR aligned, safeguarding embedded, secure infrastructure built in from day one
Inclusive by Design
SEND aware, trauma-informed and shaped with different home and care environments in mind
