Change moves at the speed of trust

Learn more about how Jemma Rees is using digital therapeutics to widen access to mental health support

For Jemma Rees, Senior Supervisor and Digital Therapeutics Lead for Kent Emotional Wellbeing Teams and Medway Emotional Support Teams (known nationally as MHST), change isn’t about rapid transformation, it’s about building trust, one relationship at a time.

Her Topol Digital Fellowship project explores how digital therapeutics can be used within schools to make early intervention emotional wellbeing support more accessible for children, young people, and their families.

Opening new doors through digital therapeutics

At the heart of Jemma’s work are two interventions: OSI (Online Support Intervention) a parent-led online anxiety programme for children aged 5 to 12, and OSCA (Online Social anxiety Cognitive therapy for Adolescents) aged 13 to 18.

Both programmes combine self-paced online modules with weekly practitioner check-ins, blending flexibility with professional guidance.

Jemma explains, "We’re trying to make early intervention support easier to access.

"Parents accessing OSI and young people accessing OSCA can do it at home, in their own time, but they’re not doing it alone."

The results so far have been significant.

Families and young people have reported notable improvements in confidence and wellbeing, with some describing the experience as life-changing. For OSI many parents also noted positive effects across siblings and in their own ability to support their children’s mental health.

Trust takes time

Despite the positive outcomes, Jemma emphasises that building trust in digital approaches has taken time.

"It took longer than expected for schools, practitioners, and families to trust that digital could be effective, there’s still a perception that face-to-face support is inherently better."

That persistence has paid off. By introducing self-referral routes and launching an online referral form, Jemma’s team reduced barriers for parents and young people who might otherwise hesitate to seek help. Referrals have since increased significantly, showing that confidence in the offer continues to grow.

"The biggest lesson, is that you need people to trust in both the process and the project. In digital health, change only moves at the speed of trust."

Building confidence and credibility

The Topol Digital Fellowship, delivered in partnership with TPXimpact, gave Jemma the frameworks and confidence to manage a complex, multi-stakeholder project.

"I didn’t come from a project-management background, Topol gave me practical structures, things like sprints, feedback cycles, and user-centred planning, that I could apply immediately."

The Fellowship has also enhanced how her work is perceived.

"When stakeholders know it’s a Topol project, it increases their trust and confidence in what we’re doing. The Fellowship is recognised across the NHS as a mark of rigour and credibility."

Designing for equity, not assumption

Jemma’s approach is shaped by a commitment to reducing health inequalities. While digital tools can widen access, she is clear that they must be designed with inclusion in mind.

"Digital therapeutics look innovative, but they’re not automatically equitable, we have to consider digital poverty, language barriers, and cultural context. Otherwise, we risk unintentionally excluding the people who could benefit most."

To address this, her next phase involves gathering feedback directly from parents, carers, and young people through focus groups and surveys. Their insights will help ensure the interventions are accessible to every community they aim to serve.

Going slow to go far

Reflecting on her experience, Jemma says that if she could give one piece of advice to her earlier self, it would be to slow down.

"In the NHS, there’s pressure to act quickly, to respond to funding deadlines or new opportunities. But meaningful change takes time. We need to be thoughtful in our planning and recognise that trust, engagement, and impact build gradually."

This patient, structured approach is already paying dividends. What began as a small-scale digital offer is now embedded as business as usual across her service, with strong uptake and growing confidence from both practitioners and families.

Jemma concludes, "Digital isn’t for everyone, and it shouldn’t be, but it should always be an option that allows people to have choice in the way they wish to engage in therapeutic support."

"Change moves at the speed of trust." – Stephen Covey