LeapForward

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NHS Problem

The NHS faces an unprecedented demand for mental health support, with one in four adults experiencing at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any given year and thousands waiting months for care. Staff shortages limit access to timely, effective support and increases system costs through crisis interventions and repeat appointments. LeapForward.AI addresses this gap by delivering evidence-based, AI-guided coaching to individuals who might otherwise wait for help, freeing clinicians to focus on those with the most complex needs and improving overall service efficiency and reach.

 

Founder Story

LeapForward.AI was founded by Libby Roberts, whose personal experience supporting her daughter’s recovery from anorexia nervosa revealed a powerful insight – that with the right support, it is possible to retrain the brain and rebuild mental strength. This journey inspired Libby to help others develop the resilience and mental fitness needed to navigate life’s challenges.

Drawing on her background in psychology, Libby created LeapForward to combine evidence-based psychological approaches with innovative technology, creating scalable programmes that empower people to take proactive steps toward lasting wellbeing. Her experience continues to shape LeapForward’s mission and compassionate, human-centred approach to mental health support.


The Solution

Developed by allied health professionals, LeapForward is a company dedicated to making evidence-based wellbeing support more accessible. Our digital programmes combine psychological science with advanced AI coaching to empower individuals to build emotional resilience, manage life’s challenges, and enhance their mental and physical wellbeing.
Built through user-centred design and continuous improvement, LeapForward offers an engaging, scalable solution that:
  • Complements existing healthcare services
  • Help individuals access support anytime, anywhere
  • Enable clinicians and organisations to extend their reach and impact.

At our core, we are a community of professionals passionate about improving lives through the thoughtful integration of psychology and technology.

Impact

LeapForward.AI delivers measurable improvements in mental wellbeing and recovery outcomes through an accessible, AI-guided digital coaching programme that complements clinician-led care.
Our clinically validated outcomes, published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Brinsley et al., 2023), demonstrated:
  • Psychological distress decreased significantly
  • Depression reduced
  • Anxiety reduced
  • Wellbeing increased substantially
  • Return-to-work confidence improved
  • Engagement was high, with 73% of daily sessions and 95% of weekly telehealth sessions completed
  • Work participation increased tenfold — from 2 participants at baseline to 20 following programme completion
These findings show that AI-supported digital coaching can provide a scalable, low-cost and effective solution for improving psychosocial outcomes and functional recovery. In the NHS, the intended impact is to:
  • Expand access to evidence-based support for those waiting for care
  • Free clinician capacity to focus on the most complex cases
  • Enhance resilience and self-management among patients
  • Reduce costs and waiting times through early, accessible intervention
  • Improve overall population wellbeing and support sustainable service delivery