Liverpool’s vTime has licenced its “cross-reality” social network, vTime XR, to help social workers care for vulnerable people during lockdown.
The company has set up a closed, safe space for local authorities, so that they can continue to work with adults and children.
“Virtual reality has been a lifeline for many during the pandemic and we’ve developed a licensable version of vTime XR that allows businesses from the private sector and social enterprises to use the network privately, giving them an immersive and safe meeting space that they’re able to use to stay connected,” explained vTime Managing Director Clemens Wangerin.
“Helping organisations such as Cornerstone to continue their vital work through our platform demonstrates the power and importance of virtual reality and the deep levels of social immersion that can be achieved through vTime XR.”
Members of the “annexed” version of the network can meet privately with families, teams of people or individuals for remote supervision, virtual respite, therapeutic sessions, direct work with young people and supervised contact.
“Based on the pilot findings, we believe the tool will be particularly useful for maintaining contact and direct work with adolescents and for carers/residential workers to receive supervision and support in an environment that allows them “virtual respite” particularly where there may be placement stability concerns,” said Helen Costa, co-founder of the Cornerstone Partnership and Group Director for Antser.
“It may also be particularly useful as a means of managing birth family contact where there are ongoing familial or extra-familial safeguarding risks.”
vTime said that it had experienced a 79% increase in daily new users since the start of lockdown.
