On Tuesday evening, members of Enable Ability’s Over 25 Co-Production and Social Group welcomed Joe and Kath to Spark Community Space to share ideas, experiences and emerging research around the use of virtual reality to support people with learning disabilities.
The session formed part of the group’s ongoing co-production work, where adults with lived experiences help shape projects that aim to reduce barriers, build confidence and improve access to community spaces across Portsmouth. Virtual tours has been a focus within the group, particularly around the potential to reduce anxiety by allowing people to explore environments and experience a particular venue in advance.
Joe and Kath attended the session to talk about their current study, SENSE VR, being led by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The study is exploring the use of a virtual reality sensory room and aims to understand how people with learning disabilities feel about using VR as part of their support and well-being.
The visit created a valuable opportunity for open discussion between researchers and people with lived experience. Group members shared honest reflections on anxiety, sensory needs and the importance of choice and control when engaging with new technology. These conversations closely aligned with Enable Ability’s own accessibility reports and 360 degree virtual tour work, which has been co-produced with the Over 25 group to help people familiarise themselves with real world spaces before visiting in person.
The evening highlighted the growing role that virtual reality can play in supporting confidence, independence and mental well-being, particularly when projects are shaped alongside the people they are designed to support. It also reinforced the importance of collaboration between the voluntary sector, community groups and the NHS in developing inclusive and practical solutions.
As part of the SENSE VR study, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are inviting adults with a diagnosis of learning disability, aged 18 and over, to share their views on using a virtual reality sensory room.
Anyone interested in taking part can find out more and access the study via the following link:
https://southernhealthnhs.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9BN2RugJ6kc7G7A?Q_CHL=qr
Enable Ability would like to thank Joe and Kath for taking the time to attend the session and for engaging so openly with the group. We look forward to continuing these important conversations and exploring how technology, when guided by lived experience, can help create more accessible and confident pathways into the community.
