Loan marks £3m milestone for funder

VR Therapies founder Rebecca Gill with a patient being treated by medical VR therapy

Business support and funding provider Enterprise Loans East Midlands (ELEM) has reached a significant funding milestone.

A total of £3.1m has been lent as a result of the Small Business Loan Fund from Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) in the East and South East Midlands, and Northants-based VR Therapies is the latest business to receive a cash injection.

Rebecca Gill, a qualified nurse who specialises in learning disabilities, brain injury rehabilitation and mental health, formed VR Therapies in 2018. The social enterprise business aims to make medical VR therapy available to all those who would benefit from it the most and received a £105,000 funding boost from Enterprise Loans through the MEIF.

Gill said: “We aim to bring together virtual reality and hydrotherapy. Research has shown that VR therapy has a positive impact on the lives of children who are going through chemotherapy and improves social and behavioural difficulties for patients with autism. Additionally, it reduces levels of pain, stress, depression and anxiety. The VR therapy is also very useful for end of life patients to allow them to experience things on their ‘bucket list’.

“The VR therapies centre will be the first of its kind, by combining hydrotherapy and underwater VR headsets – the therapy can make patients truly feel like they’re swimming with dolphins.”

Once fully operational, the VR Therapies team will also consist of Anita Connolly a registered nurse with over 18 years’ experience in the NHS and Kelly Zile, a registered nurse with over 20 years’ experience. Both also specialise in learning disabilities, autism, dementia brain injury rehabilitation and end of life care.

The £105,000 investment will enable VR Therapies to be able to move into a permanent residence, purchase further VR equipment and build a hydrotherapy pool.

Matthew Wright, business advisor at Enterprise Loans, said: “Rebecca’s passion for the business is immense and she is developing a really fantastic and unique company that I have no doubt will add value to the lives of patients in Northampton.

“She has been working on this for over 12 months and has completed so much research, built a fantastic website and been out to charities and care homes demonstrating the VR side. We’re thrilled to be able to help Rebecca with additional capital to support her business and wish her every success in her venture.”

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