Wolverhampton MP 'walks in shoes' of vulnerable children thanks to new virtual reality scheme to fight knife crime

Warinder Juss,  MP for Wolverhampton West, was shown the new technology from Cornerstone VR during a visit to the Way Youth Zone in the city with Richard Parker, elected mayor for the West Midlands.

The immersive 360-degree films are designed to help professionals and caregivers better understand and support vulnerable children and young people. They allow users to 'walk in the shoes' of children facing trauma, neglect, and societal pressures. The programme is used by nearly half of all UK local authorities and a wide range of services including schools, NHS trusts, police forces, and fostering agencies. 

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Serena Hadi, head of operations and practice at Cornerstone VR said that watching how young people and the team at the Way Youth Zone engaged so thoughtfully with the VR films reinforced why the approach was important.

"Our VR films continue to show how powerful immersive storytelling can be in opening up conversations around not just knife crime and youth violence, but young people's experiences and vulnerabilities," she said.

During the visit, Mr Juss and Mr Parker tried Cornerstone VR’s latest initiative focused on knife crime and serious youth violence. Developed in collaboration with professionals and young people, the films aim to change how youth knife crime is understood and addressed, building empathy, raising awareness, and giving young people the ability to make safer choices. 

Speaking after the visit, Mr Juss said: “VR is a powerful tool that brings the realities of trauma and youth violence into sharp focus. 

"Experiencing these films first-hand was deeply moving and reinforced the importance of empathy in shaping policy and frontline practice.

"Programmes like this are vital in helping us support young people and prevent them from being drawn into dangerous paths."

Mr Juss said the visit highlighted the growing recognition of immersive technology as a transformative tool in youth engagement, safeguarding, and public service training. 

"As challenges facing young people become increasingly complex, virtual reality offers a vital bridge between lived experience and professional understanding, relatable to young people," he added.