Classroom-based adventures
The Undercover CareTaker Agency (UCA) is a series of teacher-led interactive adventures for primary schools, designed to spark classroom conversation on important topics.
2021 – 2025 (continuing with Mod)
About the project
The Undercover Caretaker Agency (UCA) is an interactive, teacher-led adventure designed for Year 3 classes to explore mental health and wellbeing through creativity, play and collaboration. Based on Mind’s 5 Ways to Wellbeing, the experience arrives in a reusable box filled with puzzles, passcodes and missions—culminating in a collaborative piece of art made by students to benefit their wider school community.
Originally developed by Coney in collaboration with artists, educators, and clinicians, the project was created in response to a growing need for playful, accessible approaches to emotional literacy and resilience in primary schools.
“An immersive experience that takes your class on a journey of discovery, not of the world, but of themselves.”
– Teacher at Hague Primary, 2025 delivery
A bit of UCA history…
The Undercover Caretaker Agency began in 2021 and has steadily grown in depth and reach, shaped by the needs of pupils, the input of teachers, and an evolving landscape around children’s mental health.
Episode 1: The Static was the project’s first full adventure—a response to the alarming rise in childhood anxiety following the pandemic. A mysterious box arrives for a Year 3 or 4 class from Anne, an agent of the fictional Undercover Caretaker Agency. Inside is the UCA Beacon, which helps Anne reconnect with her friend Nigel, who she can’t reach because of “The Static” (her word for anxiety). Through creative missions and exercises based on Mind’s 5 Ways to Wellbeing, pupils learn to name and share their emotions, culminating in the creation of a “Gift” for the whole school—a practical wellbeing tool designed by the class themselves.
From 2021–2023, UCA was delivered annually to 6 Tower Hamlets schools. In 2024–25, the team focused on refining and scaling Episode 1 into its most robust form yet—making the experience reusable, clinically reviewed, and even more accessible. Partnering with Tower Hamlets Education and Wellbeing Service (THEWS), the updated version of The Static was delivered to 20 schools in early 2025.
The delivery included:
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A refreshed and clinically reviewed teacher pack
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A redesigned reusable box by artist Kirsty Harris
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Access support by consultant Elise Robinson
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CPD sessions for 25+ teachers
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Accompanying digital resources
Episode 2: The Secret of Trees, launched in 2024, was a brand new adventure focused on teamwork and climate action. This time, Anne returns with another box—and another mystery. Pupils explore strange signals coming from the trees around their school, learning about photosynthesis, tree anatomy, and real-life climate activists like Wangari Maathai and Felix Finkbeiner. The episode connects environmental education with emotional resilience and encourages pupils to act as stewards of their world.
Together, these two episodes form a growing universe of play, care and agency for young people—one we hope will keep flourishing in schools for years to come.
Project legacy
We’re delighted that UCA will continue with Mod, founded by Coney Associate Director, alongside KIT Theatre – an award-winning company bringing immersive and interactive work to families and schools across London and beyond. With KIT, the team is now seeking funding to produce more UCA boxes to bring this vision of 40 UCA schools to life, in partnership with THEWS. If you have questions or are interested in supporting this next step for the project, please contact info@modgames.co.uk
You can also check out the 2025 Evaluation Pack here.
Gallery
Images from The Undercover CareTaker Agency unfolding in schools.
Top row: UCA Episode 1, taken by Jacob Middleburgh.
Second row: UCA Episode 2: The Secret of Trees, taken by Ross Kernahan.
Related blogs
The Secret of Trees: planting seeds of activism in Tower Hamlets classrooms
Freelance producer Eliza Cass shares the story of our recent pilot of The Undercover Caretaker Agency Episode 2: The Secret of Trees, a classroom adventure introducing students to environmental activism.
Read moreCredits
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Associate Makers Brigitte Adela, Brent Grihalva, Janisè Sadik, Anne Langford
Producers Emily Davis, Ellie Browning & Eliza Cass
Filmmakers DMLK Video
Designer Kirsty Harris
Graphic Designer Jessica Sanders
Programers Suzanna Hurst & Ed Naujokas
Sound Design Jen Igiri
Project Director Toby Peach
Performers Anne Odeke, Afia Abusham & Toby Peach
Made in collaboration with members of the Young Coneys. -
Asssociate Makers Anoushka Bonwich, Anne Odeke, Germma Orleans-Thompson & Mel FrancesProducer Emily DavisFilmmakers DMLK Video
Designer Kirsty HarrisProgrammer Suzanna HurstProject director Toby PeachPerformers Anne Odeke & Toby Peach
Made in collaboration with members of the Young Coneys.
The Undercover CareTaker Agency was created thanks to funding from The Backstage Trust and Canary Wharf Contractors. The 2024/25 project expansion was made possible thanks to support from THAMES.
