When staff from the Creative Youth Network stepped into the room for their Anti-Knife Crime Programme session, they weren’t just preparing for another training workshop, they were about to step into someone else’s world.
Through our partnership with Mikey’s World, participants had Cornerstone VR’s immersive 360° films incorporated into their learning programme, combining our award-winning virtual reality experiences with hands-on catastrophic bleed control kit training. This allowed attendees not only to see a story unfold from the inside, but also to develop practical, potentially life-saving skills that complement the scenarios explored in VR.
Within moments of putting on the headset, participants found themselves seeing, hearing and experiencing situations from the perspective of a young person navigating pressure, risk and the realities of social media, youth violence and knife crime. What unfolded was not just a demonstration of technology, but a moment of collective reflection, empathy and insight.
After the session, nine members of staff shared their thoughts, and their feedback captured just how powerful this immersive approach can be. Every single participant (100%) agreed that the experience deepened their understanding of a child’s perspective. They described gaining a clearer, more emotional sense of what young people might be thinking or feeling in situations involving peer pressure, conflict or online influence. This shift in perspective proved to be more than informative, it became a catalyst for personal reflection. All participants (100%) reported that the VR experience prompted them to think differently about their own behaviours, responses and decision-making when supporting children and young people.
The workshop also encouraged new ways of approaching conversations and interventions. Nearly nine in ten participants (89%) said it prompted them to consider alternative ways of responding in their professional roles. Their written reflections showed a desire to empower young people more confidently, to adapt activities to be more relevant and relatable, and to initiate deeper discussions around knife crime, social media, risk and de-escalation. Many spoke about wanting to pass the experience directly to the young people they work with, recognising the value of using VR as a tool for engagement and self-reflection. Others highlighted the increased curiosity they now felt; a renewed intention to understand why young people behave in certain ways, rather than focusing only on the behaviour itself.
What emerged from this evaluation is clear: the VR session, delivered through our partnership with Mikey’s World, sparked meaningful professional growth and a shift in understanding for those who work closely with children and young people. It helped staff connect more deeply with the realities young people face and prompted meaningful thought about how to support them with greater empathy, clarity and confidence. Participants left with new insights, renewed motivation and practical ideas they intend to carry forward.
If you’re curious to explore how our VR experiences could benefit your team or organisation, we would be delighted to show you what’s possible.
Book your free demo here: www.cornerstonevr.co.uk/arrange-demo