Case study

Reaching 500,000 children and families with COVID-19 educational videos

04/02/2025
Little Journey scientist character in her lab
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Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty and misinformation created significant anxiety, particularly among children and their families. Understanding this, NHS Digital, Public Health England, and NHS Test and Trace partnered with Little Journey as experts in paediatrics and healthcare anxiety.

Challenge

Understanding & addressing children's specific concerns 

COVID-19 swab testing and vaccination were unfamiliar procedures introduced to children at a time when there were already major disruptions to day-to-day life. NHS Digital needed to develop engaging, child-friendly content to explain these procedures in a way that was clear, reassuring, and accessible to young audiences. It was crucial to address their specific concerns and knowledge gaps.

Navigating pandemic restrictions and evolving medical guidance

NHS Digital needed a partner who could co-ordinate between multiple government agencies, with experience creating content that is evidence-based and medically accurate. It was important that research and content creation could be carried out in compliance with restrictions.

A cute looking cartoon mountain with a flag in the top.

Our solution

Research and consultation with subject matter experts

We conducted an in-depth literature review, including thematic analysis of a survey exploring children’s key COVID-19 questions and fears (n=390).

This research was strengthened with insights​ from our panel of leading subject matter experts, consisting of paediatricians, child health literacy specialists, and frontline healthcare professionals.

5 speech bubbles containing questions: How did it start? When will it go away? How many people have died? When will there be a vaccine? When can we go back to school?
Animated video thumbnail showing a young girl having a COVID-19 swab test
Video thumbnail showing a girl smiling whilst sitting in a car

Video co-creation

Working remotely, we co-created videos with children and young children, going through multiple iterations to maximise relatability and clarity.

The final result was a series of animated videos and lived experience videos that included a video of  11-year-old Annabelle taking a rapid lateral flow swab test before returning to school.

Our Young Persons Advisory Group (YPAG) even recorded the animation voiceovers themselves! 

 

Sign off and distribution

Final content was signed off by NHS Digital, NHS Test and Trace, and Public Health England. Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists Great Britain & Ireland (APAGBI) provided additional endorsement. 

The videos were then hosted on the NHS YouTube channel and featured on the YouTube Kids homepage. 

NHS Test and Trace, Public Health England, and NHS Digital logos

Outcomes

[Overview of the outcomes. Rearrange the cards below as needed!]

Tours icon from the Little Journey app
Over 500,000 video views

The videos received high engagement rates with 190,000 views in the first 20 days.

 

The 'What is a vaccine?' video has received over 230,000 views.

Illustration of Little Journey laptop and phone

88.9% higher watch time compared to the average video.

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