When we first imagined what mental health support could look like in the future, we were not chasing awards. We were searching for something deeper – a way to meet residents in their most vulnerable moments with care that felt alive, not transactional. A resident breathing easier for the first time in weeks. Someone with trauma finally saying, ‘I feel OK.’ A new way forward for people who had long felt stuck. That vision led to the creation of Apax’s VR Wellness Programme – an initiative built from heart, hope and a belief that healing can take many forms, including virtual ones. At our core, we are a values-driven organisation, and residents have always been at the centre of our thinking. Everything we design begins with a single question: how can we make life better for them?
Being awarded the Development and Innovation Award was an incredible honour – and a powerful reminder that reimagining care is not only possible but urgently needed. Especially now, as services across health and housing face growing pressure. We are deeply grateful for the recognition and proud to share what this programme has made possible
The journey begins
The idea for the VR Wellness Programme did not start with technology – it started with a question: how could we offer our residents something more than crisis response? Something that could help ease anxiety, build emotional regulation and create moments of calm in a world that often feels overwhelming. This question would not leave me alone. What if we could offer our residents a moment of peace – even just for a few minutes a day? I had been exploring emerging health tech out of personal curiosity, but this need gave it direction. By the end of 2022, I began shaping a vision: one where virtual reality was not about escape but about connection, regulation and mental fitness.
When I shared the concept with our leadership team at Apax, it struck a chord. There was energy behind it. Hope, even. We reached out to Meta to share the idea and, although we had no external funding, they believed in its potential. Meta generously donated 10 headsets, which allowed us to launch the first phase. Soon after, we partnered with TRIPP, an award-winning VR platform designed for emotional wellbeing and mindfulness.
This came at a pivotal moment for Apax. We had just completed a major digital transformation, which gave staff more time with residents and more space to think creatively. At the same time, we were acutely aware of the growing pressure on NHS and local mental health services – long waiting lists, limited access to therapy and staff burnout. We asked ourselves: could we be part of the solution from within? What began as a bold question soon became something real: a new way to support mental health from within supported housing, without delay or referral – just care, rooted in innovation and purpose.
A quiet pilot, big results
In winter 2023, we launched a small pilot across a handful of Apax services. The model was simple but thoughtful: calming spaces, guided onboarding and consistent, immersive sessions. But the outcomes were anything but ordinary. It also served as a proof of concept. Residents and recovery co-ordinators played a key role in gathering feedback and shaping the experience. Their insight helped us adapt the programme to real needs, laying the groundwork for phase two and refining delivery based on lived experience.
Residents who previously avoided communal activities started asking when the next VR session was. One resident said, ‘It’s the first time in years my mind felt peaceful.’ Another shared, ‘I didn’t know I could feel calm without meds.’ The sessions, ranging from meditative floating environments to breath-based visual journeys, allowed residents to reconnect with themselves. We observed increased confidence, better sleep, reduced anxiety and higher motivation. Staff also noticed a shift: deeper engagement, more presence and a subtle but powerful sense of hope.
Support without pressure
We soon integrated a new dimension into our programme: TRIPP’s built-in AI-powered emotional coach. This gentle, non-judgemental guide helped residents with breathwork, reflection and regulation. It spoke calmly, offered space and did not demand emotional literacy. For many, especially those struggling to verbalise their needs, the AI became a trusted support. ‘It lets me breathe and be,’ one resident explained. ‘It’s like someone understands how I feel, even if I can’t say it.’ The AI made the programme even more personalised. Residents could move at their own pace and sessions could be tailored to individuals’ needs. It wasn’t about replacing human care – it was about strengthening it.
From pilot to practice
By February 2024, the programme had expanded to more than 40 residents. Phase two saw VR Wellness formally integrated (as an optional offer) across our supported housing services. Staff were trained, spaces prepared, and feedback tools co-designed with residents and support workers. In March, we were honoured to receive the Health Tech Digital Award for Development & Innovation – a recognition that reflected the meaningful shift this work had created. But the true milestone came in August, when we launched the programme across all Apax sites. Now, every resident had access to VR Wellness as part of their care.
From stabilisation to growth
The outcomes continue to speak for themselves. Residents have reported fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, increased emotional regulation and better sleep. Several individuals have successfully transitioned to lower levels of support or independent living. Others have reconnected with education, family or peer networks. Staff report stronger relationships, improved morale and a more values-aligned way of working. What started as a health tech experiment has grown into a shared language of care, grounded in calm, presence and connection. Crucially, the programme has allowed us to offer a structured mental health and emotional wellbeing solution in-house, reducing dependency on overstretched external systems while maintaining quality.
A purpose-driven approach
We started experimenting with VR and AI because we saw the potential to offer residents new ways to manage stress, build emotional resilience and feel more in control of their wellbeing. It was not about having the perfect solution. It was about starting with what we had: Meta headsets, Tripp software, a dedicated team and a belief that care could feel calmer, more empowering and more accessible. Apax was the first independent supported housing provider in the UK to introduce VR and AI as part of a mental health and wellbeing offer to residents. For us, adopting emerging technology is not about being ahead of the curve – it is about supporting holistic recovery in ways that genuinely work. In a sector facing growing demand, we believe innovation must be purposeful, people led and grounded in impact.
Looking ahead
This work continues to grow. We are developing a dedicated VR Wellness website to share updates, resources and learning. We are upgrading and expanding our headset stock and exploring how the programme can be scaled across other supported housing services, charities and NHS-aligned settings. Next, we will be using VR not only to support residents but also as a powerful tool for staff training, bringing immersive learning into the heart of service delivery. And, most importantly, we continue to listen. Residents’ voices remain central, guiding how this programme evolves. Because this is not just a tech initiative – it is a wellbeing movement, built from the inside out.
Winning the Development and Innovation Award affirmed something we have always known, that healing requires imagination, courage and support. VR Wellness is not about escaping life. It is about finding new ways to live it, fully, calmly and with dignity. Sometimes, it starts with a headset. A deep breath. A guided moment beneath a virtual sky. And sometimes, that is all it takes to remind someone that they are still capable of feeling grounded, supported and free.
For more information about the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards 2025 winners, click here.
Israa Qaddourah is Marketing and Project Growth Leader at Apax. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: @Apax