At Presbyterian Support Upper South Island (PSUSI), the spirit of āwhina—to support, assist, and uplift—runs through every service they provide. Through their Enliven Service for older New Zealanders, they are redefining what it means to age with dignity and joy, and SilVR Adventures is proud to support this mission.
As part of Enliven’s Tōtara Day Programme in Blenheim, Marlborough, SilVR’s virtual reality headsets became an integral part of daily activities, offering older adults an innovative, immersive way to stay socially and mentally engaged. Manager Tricia Dawson shared how the team took a truly holistic approach to using VR, weaving it into themed experiences that enriched the lives of their Enliven members.
Participants virtually “travelled” to European cities, pairing their headset adventures with cultural meals, music, and guest speakers from the featured countries. VR experiences weren’t just stand-alone activities—they were the launching pad for group discussions, reminiscence, and creative exploration. Members researched destinations, priced out flights, and planned itineraries on smart screens before diving into the virtual journey, often sharing how the VR scenes compared to their real-life past travels.
One of the most touching uses was for birthdays. Members could request special VR experiences like skydiving or boat rides—activities they may never have imagined possible. Staff even enhanced these sessions with sensory additions like wind machines and water sprays to elevate the realism and joy.
Feedback from the Tōtara Day Programme staff has been overwhelmingly positive. The headsets added vibrancy and variety to the programme, sparking curiosity, laughter, and storytelling among all participants. Even those who were initially hesitant found themselves immersed in new and exciting worlds.
All of this supports the mission of PSUSI and Enliven: to ensure that older New Zealanders/kaumātua remain socially connected, independent, and empowered to live life to the fullest.
The headsets are also shared with Enliven teams in Christchurch, and we’re excited to hear more stories soon.
Together, SilVR Adventures and PSUSI are putting ageing at the centre—with kindness, creativity, and heart.
About Enliven
At Enliven, they ensure that older New Zealanders have access they need to community-based support – from someone to talk to, activities to join in with or help that will ensure a safe, healthy independence at home.
They believe that everyone has the right to age with dignity and to enjoy life to the fullest extent possible.
Enliven provides a range of services that help keep older people/kaumātua socially connected and promote health and wellbeing. They offer in-home support, falls prevention, they help support carers and they’ll advocate for the rights and entitlements of older people/kaumātua.
Learn more: https://psuppersouth.org.nz/what-we-do/enliven
