Cumbria County Council plans to roll out the use of virtual reality in care homes throughout the county after successful sessions in two homes.

Cumbria Libraries Outreach Officers host weekly sessions in care home lounges using virtual reality devices to help residents relive memories and stimulate conversations. Sessions are tailored to individual interests and needs, with residents taking turns to visit Buckingham Palace, tour London, stroll down Keswick main street, watch gorillas in Rwanda or relax on the sands of a Caribbean lagoon.

Richmond Park, Workington and The Gables, Whitehaven, were the first Cumbria Care residential homes to host the virtual reality sessions. The project is now scaling up to a county-wide level, with Barrow and South Lakeland next to take part.

The council reports that care staff have noticed an increase in reminiscence, memory triggering, stimulating conversation, and a more relaxed disposition among residents post-session.

Councillor Deborah Earl, County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Services, said: “Virtual reality technology is truly a game changer for residents in care homes. The Cumbria Libraries Outreach Team are doing an amazing job bringing back treasured memories for residents, and we’ve seen such a positive impact on their wellbeing.”