Royal Holloway researchers have successfully piloted the use of extended reality (XR) in public libraries to help local communities improve their mental wellbeing.
Image courtesy of Hatsumi. Photography by Saud Ahmed.
The Connect XR project, led by StoryFutures and the Health Studies Department, was launched to help creative enterprises with XR health and wellbeing solutions access new audiences in community settings.
Professor Alexandra Palombi, Head of Health Studies Department, said: “StoryFutures were keen to identify the areas in health where they could make a positive impact. With their track record in innovation and our strong networks and expertise in public health, we saw a real opportunity in XR for mental wellbeing in public spaces to help local communities.”
Conscious of the current push for a more integrated care approach in the UK, the team decided to explore community hubs as a pathway for these solutions.
In partnership with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, the team trialed the delivery of Soul Paint – an immersive wellbeing XR experience by Hatsumi and Monobanda that uses 3D drawing and movement to creatively express emotions – at Maidenhead Library. The library has been a strong community hub for many years and provides various local services to the area.
Dr Laryssa Whittaker, StoryFutures User Research Lead, explained: “There’s a huge opportunity for XR developers to innovate in health, but the biggest challenge in the UK is how to reach the market. We know simply making these solutions available on the Meta store would not reach the people who need them, as many don’t have access to VR headsets. Going down the public health route is also complex, and this project was about documenting the partnerships and processes needed to do that.”
Data from the pilot revealed that 100% of participants found the library an ideal setting for an XR health solution, while 78% said they would do the experience again.
The published report also cited that 22% of people saw an increase in positive feelings overall across all demographics and a 15% decrease in negative feelings. The positive effect was even more pronounced for younger people, with a 95% increase in positive feelings.
However, the team stressed the project was not so much about any one XR health solution, but trying to help creative XR companies find new ways to effectively reach people.
“The project's success has been a result of various collaborations from a diverse mix of stakeholders and partners, covering the creative industry, academia and healthcare, with each of these fields bringing their own vocabulary, perspectives, and methodologies,” added Professor Palombi.
It’s not the first time StoryFutures have used libraries to engage local communities. The project drew on the 2022 project, StoryTrails, which used immersive XR to uncover hidden histories and tell local stories in 15 communities around the UK.
“We know libraries are valued by people and provide much more than books. They have helped many with digital literacy. For a lot of people, it is where they first learnt how to use email. So, there was already this history of libraries being a place where people first encounter new technology. Librarians are also skilled at guiding and supporting people, so it was the perfect environment to deliver an XR application for the community,” said Dr Whittaker.
Discover more research from Royal Holloway’s Health Studies Department and StoryFutures.
