lumin&us

Welcome to lumin&us, the first play based, interactive App rooted in play therapy and Polyvagal Theory. Made for parents, carers, play therapists, counsellors, social workers, teachers to use with children, this App supports mental and emotional wellbeing through play based games and activities.

Designed by parents and professionals, this App can:
- improve and strengthen relationships and connections between adults and children
- support good mental health
- help you to understand the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviours
- help adults and children to feel more calm, content and comfortable
- bring laughter and joy to family life
- support relationship building for adoptive families

ABOUT THE APP:
Based on play therapy and the science of Dr Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, this resource has been created by social workers, play therapists and educators to support family life. It improves wellbeing and relationships by helping adults and children understand and identify the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

We call our model The Lighthouse Model. It was created as a way to continue supporting famillies during Covid lockdowns. Using this model, we find that children – and adults too – can make sense of how they are feeling which helps them to understand their behaviours and support regulation. Our model supports adults and children to find their way back to feeling safe through fun, interactive and engaging games and activities designed to improve relationships and support mental and emotional wellbeing.

FEATURES:
- Over 20 play based games and activities included to support children in each of the three states - Safe, Struggling and Drowning
- Scan feature helps adults and children identify and understand their current emotional state
- Play based games and activities categorised in to Daytime Play, Out & About and Evening Play
- Explanation of the benefits of each game or activity and list of resources needed
- Supportive resources to help calm and comfort adults, parents/carers

FEEDBACK:
"This App has made a real difference. Before using the App, my son used to go straight to his room to play video games after school. Now he asks to play a game and we sit together, laugh and we end up talking about his day at school." Parent to 10 yr old and 8 yr old

"The years go by so quick and there is always something to do around the house. This app has made us move playing together up the agenda. It has 100 per cent success rate. It always improves the atmosphere in the house and my son has never refused it." Parent to 7 yr old

"We had used Beacons paper-based resources which we loved, but they were difficult to use when we werent at home. With the App I have the all the games in my pocket. It really helps calm my children (and me) when were doing things like shopping or waiting in queues." Parent to 3 yr old and 6 yr old