Virtual reality transforms in-hospital experiences for children

For children facing life-threatening illnesses, being poked and prodded with needles or being away from home for just a night or two for treatment in hospital can be traumatising. Reach for a Dream, in partnership with Vuma, is determined to help children have more positive in-hospital experiences through virtual reality.

Through this initiative, ‘Dream Rooms’ – a safe place where children are able to go during their long stays in hospital to just be a child – are being kitted out with state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) bundles. By slipping on a VR headset, children get immediately transported to another world – with 20 experiences pre-loaded. The experience possibilities are limitless and continue to expand as more partners come on board to support this worthwhile cause.

“The children are able to immerse themselves in a dream environment that allows them to forget about their clinical illnesses and the worries they face on a daily basis. For these brave little heroes, it’s a moment of reprieve from the frightening reality of sickness and being stuck in their hospital beds, away from their comfort zones,” says Natalie Lazaris, Business Head at Reach for a Dream. “For doctors and nurses, the headsets are also a welcomed addition in healthcare, as it helps to distract children, which allows carers to administer medication and treatments far more easily.”

Reach for a Dream is now able to equip the Dream Room at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal with a brand-new permanent VR bundle set that includes Vuma-sponsored headsets and a docking station.  The new equipment will allow even more children staying at the hospital to enjoy Dream Room and VR experiences at the same time, without having to wait their turn.

Dr Julia Ambers from Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, says, “The VR headset is an absolute game-changer for children in the outpatient clinic where they have to have regular painful procedures; being transported into another world sometimes means they are not even aware of the pain or discomfort.”

“Without the help of our partners, we simply wouldn’t be able to do the work that we do and we wouldn’t have the financial capacity to help and make an impact in young lives. More than the money or gadgets, it’s also heart-warming to work with a team like Vuma, who are so closely involved with the project and who make themselves available to help wherever the need may be,” adds Lazaris.

There are currently 38 functioning Dream Rooms in paediatric wards across the country. In partnership with Vuma, we’ve also made this phenomenon accessible to the paediatric ward units at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. Reach for a Dream is aiming for 50 rooms in total. Corporates or individual looking to partner with the foundation are encouraged to get in touch.

In addition, content creators and owners willing to donate high-experience VR content for use in Dream Rooms can get in touch with Lazaris directly, at natalie@reachforadream.org.za. “Sourcing VR content can get expensive, and we would greatly appreciate and welcome content donation of all types. Our studio partner will be able to convert standard video content to 360-degree where necessary.”