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Our VR Headset is making a meaningful difference for children undergoing treatment at Royal Preston Hospital Children’s Unit.

This innovative technology is used as distraction therapy, helping to reduce stress and anxiety during difficult tests and procedures—moments that can feel overwhelming for any child.

When 10-year-old Noah Harwood arrived at the Children’s Unit this week with suspected meningitis, he was understandably frightened. As an autistic child, the unfamiliar environment and uncertainty quickly became overwhelming. His mum, Ashleigh, shared that Noah was visibly shaking and struggling to regulate his emotions.

As soon as Noah put on the VR headset, everything changed. He calmed almost instantly, fully absorbed in a different world—away from the noise, fear, and clinical surroundings. This allowed doctors to carry out the treatment he needed, calmly and safely.

And the impact didn’t stop there. Seeing Noah relax meant Ashleigh could finally take a breath too.

“This is such an amazing piece of equipment. It will benefit so many families, especially those with additional needs or autism.”

Thank you to our wonderful donors; The P F Charitable Trust, The Bryan Lancaster Trust, Cotton Industry War Memorial Trust and The Harris Charity for making this project possible.

Stories like Noah’s remind us why this equipment matters—not just for children, but for their families too.

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“This donation has enabled us to use more varied and useful therapeutic toys and games when working with children and young people with mental health difficulties, as well as using extra clinic rooms which are now more child-friendly. This has helped reduced anxiety about coming to CAMHS and meant that family therapy can be done. Both parents of a 10 year old boy can now attend with their 5 year old as the youngest child can play with our new resources in the waiting room or clinic space. The 10 year old benefited from therapeutic games about thoughts/feelings and we were also able to observe imaginative play for assessment.”

Dr Eleanor Oswald
Clinical Psychologist, CAMHS
Vale of Leven Hospital

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