Innovative VR Programme Wins National Award for Transforming Children's Services

A groundbreaking trauma-informed virtual reality (VR) solution has been recognised for its impact in children’s services at a prestigious national awards ceremony.

Cornerstone VR, who enhance training and interventions in health, education and social care through their powerful virtual reality programme, were honoured to be presented with the Excellence in Children’s Services award at this year's Laingbuisson Awards.

Held on November 21st in London, the award ceremony honoured the innovative partnership between Cornerstone VR and Inspirations Children’s Residential Care Homes, Leicestershire.

The judges at the LaingBuisson Awards highlighted the initiative as, “Genuinely innovative and groundbreaking, offering a truly unique therapeutic approach that has the potential to make a real difference for some of our most vulnerable young people.”

Using Cornerstone VR’s virtual reality programme, Inspirations have enhanced their staff training, improved their recruitment process and retention rates, and empowered children to navigate complex risks in the digital age.

Professionals trained through the programme have reported a dramatic improvement in their ability to understand and support children’s needs. Following the VR training, 96% of participants reported having a deeper understanding of a child’s perspective, and left the training equipped to independently lead VR sessions with children and families.

The Deputy Manager of one residential home shared, “The VR sessions that the children have taken part in have provided Outstanding practise for our recent OFSTED inspection. They were very impressed with the videos completed and how this has supported our children's understanding on different topics to support them, their knowledge and wellbeing.”

Keywork sessions, which were previously brief or inconsistent, have become more engaging, with some lasting as long as two hours. One notable case involved a young person who had a history of absence. Following the VR sessions, they changed their social circle and stabilised their behaviour, with no missing incidents reported in over six months.

Parminder Basra, Director of Operations at Inspirations, expressed the significance of the initiative: “The VR headsets have helped our staff provide a better service to our children, giving them more understanding of their needs.”

Serena Hadi, Head of Operations and Practice at Cornerstone VR, added: “Winning the ‘Excellence in Children’s Services’ award is an incredible honour and reflects the dedication of our teams. The partnership with Inspirations demonstrates the power that virtual reality technology has in strengthening relationships, promoting safer choices, and improving outcomes for vulnerable children.”

Cornerstone VR continues to expand its impact across the health, education and social care sectors, delivering innovative solutions that transform how professionals connect with and support those in their care.

For more information about Cornerstone VR's innovative programme and recent developments, please visit; www.cornerstonevr.co.uk  

To see the full list of 2024 LaingBuisson Award winners, visit: https://laingbuissonawards.com/2024-winners/

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ENDS 

Notes to Editors:  

About Cornerstone VR: Cornerstone VR, part of The Antser Group, is a Birmingham-based tech-for-good company at the forefront of providing trauma-informed virtual reality solutions across the health, education and social care sectors. With a mission to improve outcomes for society's most vulnerable, Cornerstone VR empowers professionals and caregivers with immersive experiences that enhance empathy and understanding of early-life trauma and societal influences.

Website: www.cornerstonevr.co.uk 

For all media enquiries, please contact Corinna Leaning or Stacey Cox at Cornerstone VR on corinna.leaning@cornerstonevr.co.uk or Stacey.cox@cornerstonevr.co.uk. Alternatively, call 0808 1756 414.