A GLASGOW tech company is developing a computer game to help children prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Game Doctor has secured £50,000 of government funding to develop the mobile game, which is aimed at eight to 16 year olds with more advanced levels for teenagers.

The company was set up by University of Glasgow graduate Carla Brown, and is focused on developing games for science and health education.

It was awarded the funding by government agency Innovate UK, which last week doubled to £40 million the amount of funding it is dedicating to help fast track innovations borne out of the pandemic.

Game Doctor will be working with Covid-19 researchers from the University of Glasgow and Queen’s University Belfast on the game, which will be launched in September for iOS and Android and will be free to download.  A health psychologist from the University of Stirling will be supporting the game design and evaluation.

Ms Brown said: “This is a tense time for all of us, particularly for young people navigating ‘the new norm’ who, if things go according to plan, will be returning to school in August.  We hope that by educating and equipping children to adjust, they will feel empowered and much less anxious. This funding will enable us to use our expertise to make a difference in these challenging times.”

Game Doctor has worked with the public sector and universities across the UK to create a range of games, focused on areas such as engaging young people with antimicrobial resistance, and educating schoolchildren about sexual health and vaccinations.