Holly Health Digital health coaching for chronic conditions & day-to-day wellbeing

What is Holly Health?

Holly Health provides tailored lifestyle support through its web and mobile applications, designed primarily for individuals managing chronic conditions or seeking to improve daily wellbeing. The platform utilizes a 'small habits' approach, grounded in behavioural science, encouraging users to make minor, consistent changes across areas like nutrition, sleep, mental health, and physical activity. This methodology aims to foster long-term, sustainable health improvements by addressing subconscious daily actions.

Incorporating advanced AI and machine learning, including LLM-driven conversational coaching and JITAI approaches, Holly Health delivers hyper-personalised user nudging and support. The service collaborates extensively with over 200 NHS partners and also supports private health organisations, academic institutions, and individuals directly, aiming to make proactive health management accessible and effective through evidence-based psychological interventions and user-centred design.

Features

Personalised Habit Coaching: Tailored recommendations and support for building small, sustainable healthy habits.
AI-Driven Nudging: Utilises AI and machine learning (LLM, JITAI) for hyper-personalised user prompts and motivation.
Conversational Interface: Engages users through a chatbot (Holly Bird) for onboarding and ongoing support.
Content Library: Access to articles, exercise videos, meditation/mindfulness guides, sleep stories, and recipes.
Progress Tracking: Monitors habit completion and provides encouragement based on user activity.
Multi-Platform Access: Available on Web, Android, and iOS devices.
Behavioural Science Foundation: Based on models like CBT, ACT, Mindfulness, and Behavioural Activation.

Use Cases

Managing chronic health conditions through lifestyle adjustments.
Improving daily wellbeing and mental health.
Building sustainable healthy habits for nutrition, sleep, and exercise.
Supporting preventative health measures for individuals.
Enhancing patient self-management capabilities for healthcare providers.
Facilitating behaviour change for healthy ageing populations.
Providing scalable digital health solutions for NHS and public health initiatives.

FAQs

What is the small habits approach?

The small habits approach involves making small but consistent changes to daily behaviours. Holly Health supports individuals to prioritise, achieve, and sustain new healthy habits across nutrition, food relationship, sleep, mental wellbeing, and movement, offering personalised recommendations.
Which psychological models does the service use?

The approach is based partly on 'behavioural activation' and incorporates elements from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Interventions, and the COM-B Model of behaviour change.
How does Holly Health support people with long-term conditions?

Holly Health supports self-management by helping users build personalised, sustainable habits. Surveys indicate users feel tangible improvements in condition symptoms and increased confidence in self-management after using the app.
How does Holly Health support healthy ageing and older adults?

Through co-design projects (e.g., with Age UK), the service has improved accessibility and added tailored content for older adults. Pilots show significant improvements in exercise, self-confidence, energy levels, and overall life satisfaction for users over 50.
Do I need a smartphone to use the service?

Primarily, a smartphone or tablet (Android/iOS) is needed. A web and SMS/email coaching service is in pilot phase.