Yorkshire-based duo develop new virtual reality experience for people with dementia

Two friends from Yorkshire are hoping to make a difference to the lives of people with dementia with their first of its kind virtual reality technology. Sam Rooker, 29, from Beverley in Yorkshire and Alex Lancaster, 29, from Hull, (pictured above) met when they worked at a software development company.

Comfortable in their roles they had never considered they’d ever start their own company. But the pair were inspired to create Recreo VR, a virtual reality experience for those living with dementia as a form of reminiscence therapy, after seeing the transformation a journey to a beach had on Sam’s grandmother Joyce towards the end of her life.

Joyce, who lived with dementia and had been non-verbal for a long time, began to smile and engage in conversation during the trip. The emotional moment made Sam realise the power of reminiscence therapy to help access memories in people living with dementia and he started building the software with his friend Alex during the Covid peak.

The idea was to help people connect to their past and help strengthen a sense of identity, improve mood and symptoms of depression. Sam said: “My nanna lived with dementia and my grandad, who would visit her every day in the care home she was living in at the time, had convinced care staff to allow him to take her out for a day to the beach.

“Because he needed some assistance getting her in and out of the car, he enlisted my help and the three of us set off on a journey from Hull to Hornsea. As we were travelling on roads she had been on many times before in her life, on family holidays with my dad, and my two uncles, something quite special happened.

“My nanna began to smile as we were driving along and pointing out the window and became engaged in conversation with myself and my grandad. It was being outside the care home, having this change of scenery, that actually sparked something inside her which gave me and my grandad a moment we’d never forget.

“It's this reaction that we’re trying to replicate using virtual reality. Our easy-to-use virtual reality app, and the captivating content we create, aims to spark conversation, aid memory recall and improve the overall quality of life for people living with dementia.”

Sam and Alex both left full-time employment in 2021 to fully commit to building Recreo VR, unfortunately, Sam’s nan died before Recreo VR was created so she never got to experience it for herself, or see Sam and Alex’s work come to fruition. However, Sam’s grandad was able to see it before he passed away and was incredibly proud of what they had built in Joyce’s memory.

Recreo VR is the first of its kind built specifically to give personalised immersive experiences to people living with dementia in care settings to positively impact their mental and social wellbeing. Bespoke virtual reality content is created tailored to a person’s interests and past experiences including their hobbies, places they’ve visited and past times they loved.

The aim is to help people to access memories, reconnect with the past and create connection with the people around them.  Sam and Alex hope to see Recreo VR being used in more care homes and at services to support people with dementia.

Recreo VR is one of the new innovative tech products Alzheimer’s Society has partnered with to help improve the lives of people living with dementia. The charity has signed a deal with Recreo VR to have headsets available across South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire so that people with dementia can access them at Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Cafes and at specific events.

Michael White, Alzheimer’s Society regional manager said: “Recreo VR has already received fantastic feedback and we’re excited about the impact the technology can have on people’s wellbeing. Circulating the VR headsets around the region will allow everyone supported by Alzheimer’s Society services to enjoy a variety of virtual experiences ranging from days at the seaside on the Yorkshire Coast, to seeing the wonders of York Minster.

“We will be asking people with dementia to give us new ideas about places they would like to see filmed in VR format. Recreo VR will then co-produce them with Alzheimer’s Society.”

Alzheimer’s Society’s Accelerator Programme is designed to support people in developing and accelerating their new and innovative products to deliver help and hope to people living with dementia, including the loved ones supporting them. The charity works together with innovators, engineers, designers, developers, entrepreneurs, people living with dementia, academics, health and social care professionals - anyone with a good idea or innovation, like Sam and Alex, - to develop them at speed and get them to market.

Simon Lord, head of innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We’ve been blown away by the impact Recreo VR has had on people living with dementia and the incredible feedback from the care sector. We believe in the power of technology to help improve and personalise care for people with dementia, which is why we chose to support the founders to develop the product and use our testing panels to help shape the experiences.

“It’s vital that those living with the condition are able to still do things that bring them fulfilment, for as long as possible. And that’s exactly what products like Recreo VR can provide.”

To discover more about Recreo VR and its ability to enhance the lives of residents and empower caregivers visit recreovr.co.uk. Anyone with a great product or innovation to improve the lives of people with dementia can apply for funding and support through the Alzheimer’s Society Innovative Accelerator programme, visit alzheimers.org.uk/accelerator.

Location: Beverley and Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire.