<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><ns2:project xmlns:ns1="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api" xmlns:ns2="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project" xmlns:ns3="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/fund" xmlns:ns4="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/person" xmlns:ns5="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project/outcome" xmlns:ns6="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/organisation" ns1:created="2026-06-03T15:52:43Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/projects/1A5C2CF3-D010-4B4B-8C34-846FABCD9EE7" ns1:id="1A5C2CF3-D010-4B4B-8C34-846FABCD9EE7"><ns1:links><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/persons/A999FA62-E886-4F56-B5E4-BADA1D0F6E11" ns1:rel="PM_PER"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/E48EC501-78C6-43B7-A322-2481DED53A6E" ns1:rel="LEAD_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/E48EC501-78C6-43B7-A322-2481DED53A6E" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/2D919ACA-9B2E-468C-98BB-754454A12262" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/C3E02F20-BF14-4280-8DEC-7AB800988651" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/B58B4A22-8EE6-4499-9E65-3EEA356B00BA" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:end="2021-03-30T23:00:00Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/funds/0426274B-CFB2-4198-B5B5-A62A7CDD2C9B" ns1:rel="FUND" ns1:start="2020-09-30T23:00:00Z"/></ns1:links><ns2:identifiers><ns2:identifier ns2:type="RCUK">76171</ns2:identifier></ns2:identifiers><ns2:title>Supporting the Mental wellbeing of key vulnerable groups whilst promoting sustainable economic recovery during Covid-19.</ns2:title><ns2:status>Closed</ns2:status><ns2:grantCategory>Collaborative R&amp;D</ns2:grantCategory><ns2:leadFunder>Innovate UK</ns2:leadFunder><ns2:abstractText>Paranimo is a Mental Health technology company on a mission to:

* Reduce the complexity of finding an appropriate UK Therapist using innovative matching technology.
* Increase the accessibility to, and facilitate the delivery of, private online talking Therapy to vulnerable people with existing and emerging Mental Health issues.
* Support the availability and employment of private Mental Health talking Therapists across the UK.

Covid-19 has had a detrimental impact on two key vulnerable groups: Disabled and their unpaid carers. Many disabled have been required to &amp;quot;shield&amp;quot; due to &amp;quot;clinically extremely vulnerable&amp;quot; (CEV) classification. 46% CEV adults have not left their homes since shielding began with 37% reporting a worsening of their mental health, rising to 68% if they have already been receiving Mental Health support. 40% of young unpaid carers and 59% of young adult unpaid carers say their Mental Health is worse since Covid-19\. These two groups need urgent help.

Mental Health Therapy delivery is particularly needed to address rising concerns faced by these groups presenting with: Attachment issues, Generalised Anxiety, Health Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, Stress, Complex loss and grief, Bereavement, Trauma, PTSD, Depression, Self-Harm, Abuse and Domestic Violence.

The demands and limitations of shielding/self-isolation have made it practically impossible to access traditional face to face therapy during these difficult times. The existing pathways for accessing private Mental Health Therapy and support are both complex and confusing. It is difficult for people seeking support with limited knowledge to judge the competence of Therapists, whether by Therapeutic approach, expertise, qualifications or professional memberships. This contributes stress and anxiety to existing distress. When combined with the limitations of location-based availability, the chance of finding an appropriate Therapist is dramatically reduced.

Private Mental Health Therapists experience professional challenges limiting opportunities to offer services to greater numbers of clients. Delivery is location-dependent with Therapists selected by convenience to the Client rather than by expertise. Many Therapists lack online marketing knowledge to differentiate their services, with Therapists listing similar expertise, rather than particular experience and strengths. There is currently no suitable comprehensive online transition model for Therapists during Covid-19\.

To solve these challenges, we are:

* Working in partnership with the UK's first Disability Union, Carer Support Wiltshire and the National Counselling Society, ensuring we can meet the needs of these two vulnerable groups.
* Creating an &amp;quot;all in one&amp;quot; Mental Health platform using a unique percentage matching system - simplifying the Therapist selection process for most vulnerable clients.
* Increasing Therapists' reach across the UK leading to equality of regional distribution of Mental Health support, sustaining income during Covid-19\.
* Building a secure and accessible Therapeutic environment delivered over video - location is never a hindrance to accessing the Mental Health support people need.
* Therapists' qualifications are viewable, professional memberships verified.

* Developing a Therapy credit model enabling external funding from charities and businesses to cover Therapy costs.

The platform can reduce complexity, increase accessibility and delivery whilst promoting a more equitable distribution of Therapeutic expertise which supports the Mental Health needs of vulnerable disabled users and their unpaid carers.</ns2:abstractText></ns2:project>