Suffolk County Council Launches Innovative Virtual Reality Solution to Support People Living with Dementia

Suffolk County Council, in collaboration with Spark Emerging Technologies Ltd, is proud to announce the launch of Reverie, a groundbreaking Virtual Reality (VR) solution designed to enhance the lives of people living with dementia. This innovative product aims to provide supported immersive experiences that can significantly improve the wellbeing, quality of life, communication and cognitive ability of individuals living with dementia.

Reverie is the result of extensive research and development, supported by the Suffolk 2020 Fund, which was established to foster technological and innovative initiatives across the county. The VR product offers a range of personalised experiences, from virtual walks along Southwold pier to listening to music at Snape Maltings and seeing the animals at Colchester Zoo, all tailored to evoke positive memories and emotions.

Councillor Beccy Hopfensperger, Cabinet Member for Adult Care said:

"We are at the cutting edge of local authority innovation in this space. The evidence shows that VR can deliver improved outcomes for people living with dementia, as well as their loved ones and carers, by helping to provide a fuller and more satisfying quality of life. Suffolk is one of the places leading the country in operationalising the benefits of digital technology for adult social care. I look forward to seeing how this project progresses and how it helps to support the health and wellbeing of our residents."

Dan Betts, Managing Director of Spark Emerging Technologies Ltd

“All of the team at Spark-Lab have really enjoyed collaborating on this innovative project with Suffolk County Council and are now excited to finally be bringing Reverie to care settings across Suffolk and the rest of the UK. We believe that Reverie has the potential to hugely boost the quality of life for people who are facing the profound challenges and difficulties of living with dementia. Reverie will set a new standard in immersive dementia care and provide countless benefits to users and their families."

The Reverie VR solution is designed to be carer-driven, ensuring that caregivers can monitor and fully control the VR experience in real-time, providing a safe and supportive environment for users. The app includes a wide range of features such as individual profiles, an integrated risk assessment, talking points and wellbeing warnings within each film and the ability to pause or stop the experience if needed. Uniquely, Reverie does not require a Wi-Fi connection to operate but only to download the films and periodic updates.

Suffolk County Council has invested £80,000 into this project, with the goal of establishing the council as a national leader in the use of virtual reality within adult social care. The app will be available to all care settings in Suffolk at a significantly discounted rate, thanks to the partnership with Spark Emerging Technologies Ltd.

About Spark Emerging Technologies Ltd

Spark Emerging Technologies Ltd is the UK’s leading VR, CGI, and AR agency, specializing in creating immersive and interactive experiences. With a strong focus on innovation and user experience, Spark has developed a range of cutting-edge solutions for various sectors, including healthcare, education, and entertainment.

For more information about Reverie and how it can benefit people living with dementia, please visit their website.