About

Virtual Decisions is a Birmingham, UK based company specialising in decision led immersive virtual reality experiences for the criminal justice, youth services, education, and public health sectors. The company is based at Innovation Birmingham and works with organisations across the public sector to deliver behaviour change interventions through VR.

Virtual Decisions was founded on the principle that traditional engagement methods such as worksheets, presentations, and classroom style talks often fail to resonate with the audiences who need support most. Rather than telling participants what the consequences of a decision might be, Virtual Decisions places them inside a virtual reality scenario where they make real time decisions and experience the outcomes first hand, in a safe and controlled environment. This experiential approach has been shown to significantly increase engagement compared with conventional intervention methods.

The company has developed a portfolio of VR experiences addressing specific social and behavioural issues. KNIVES addresses knife crime awareness. ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB) explores risk taking behaviour. IDENTITY, commissioned by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT), focuses on health and wellbeing. INFLUENCE, commissioned by West Midlands Police and the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership, addresses exploitation and safeguarding. REACHOUT, commissioned by MPFT, supports reintegration after secure custodial sentences. RECONNECT, also commissioned by MPFT, focuses on care after custody and reducing reoffending. Each experience is supported by Extended Learning Packages and Health and Wellbeing Support Sessions, which provide structured follow on materials to reinforce learning outcomes.

Virtual Decisions works directly with police forces, probation and prison services, Youth Offending Teams, NHS trusts, local authorities, schools, and football club community trusts across the UK. Birmingham Youth Offending Service reported a reoffending rate of 21 percent among participants who completed Virtual Decisions sessions as part of Out of Court Disposals. The company's work has also been recognised through industry awards, including recognition at the National Tech Awards.

For more information, visit www.virtualdecisions.co.uk.