SilVR Adventures is proud to celebrate national recognition across three pioneering partnerships honoured in the 2025 Future of Ageing Awards. These programs showcase what is possible when aged care providers, community organisations and immersive technology come together with a shared belief in creating richer, more human experiences for older Australians.
This year’s acknowledgements span intergenerational connection, mental health innovation and First Nations cultural storytelling. Each initiative represents a significant “first” in the sector and reflects our partners’ leadership, creativity and deep commitment to meaningful engagement.
Over 180 people turned out at Dockside Darling Harbour in Sydney to learn the results of the 2025 Future of Ageing Awards.
1. Virtual Voyagers VR – Australia’s First Intergenerational VR Program
Highly Commended – Community Engagement
Garden Village (NSW), in partnership with SilVR Adventures, Intergen Connect and Heritage Christian School
Virtual Voyagers VR is the first intergenerational VR program of its kind in Australia — an eight-week experience bringing together older adults and teenagers to explore the world in VR, build friendships and strengthen community connection.
Residents and students travelled together through ancient Greece, global wildlife regions, and even their own childhood neighbourhoods using Google Earth VR.
Beyond VR journeys, participants engaged in themed creative activities such as boat building, paper-plane challenges and reflective storytelling. The program demonstrated measurable improvements in wellbeing, confidence, connection and quality of life.
It has since become a model for intergenerational innovation, embraced by residents, families and the wider Port Macquarie community.
Read more: Bridging Generations and Winning Awards with Intergenerational VR at Garden Village
2. Continuing to be Me (C2bMe) – Australia’s First VR Mental Health Program in Aged Care
Highly Commended – Health & Wellbeing
Uniting, supported by SilVR Adventures, and funded by SWS PHN, SENSW PHN and HNECC PHN
Uniting’s Continuing to be Me (C2bMe) program is a landmark initiative supporting older people living with depression, anxiety, trauma, social isolation and cognitive decline.
In 2025, the program introduced Virtual Reality through its partnership with SilVR Adventures — marking the first use of VR within a publicly funded mental health program for older adults in Australia.
VR has enabled clinicians to deepen therapeutic engagement, reaching clients who find traditional conversation difficult.
Participants revisited meaningful places, explored nature, experienced cultural events and reconnected with personal identity in safe, supported sessions. Many described feeling more alive and emotionally connected following VR-enhanced therapy, and clinicians have reported significant breakthrough moments.
Read more: Rediscovering Joy Through Virtual Reality: Stephen’s Journey Home with C2bMe
3. Medical & Aged Care Group x SilVR – First Nations VR Storytelling Program
Finalist – First Nations
We are also proud to recognise our partnership with Medical & Aged Care Group (MACG), whose Connecting Through Indigenous Stories initiative was named a Finalist in this year’s awards.
This program represents a sector-first: an immersive, co-designed First Nations VR storytelling experience introduced across MACG homes as part of their wellbeing and cultural inclusion strategy.
Launched during NAIDOC Week and now offered year-round, the program uses SilVR’s Indigenous Stories series to support cultural identity, reconciliation and shared understanding among staff and residents. It has enabled First Nations residents to reconnect with Country, heritage and stories in a deeply personal way, while giving culturally diverse staff and non-Indigenous residents a meaningful way to learn and celebrate Australia’s First Peoples.
Early results have been powerful, with more than 100 VR sessions delivered in just two months and overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Read more: MACG’s First Nations VR Program – Connecting Through Indigenous Stories
A Shared Vision for the Future
While these three programs differ in focus, they are united through a common purpose: using immersive technology to restore joy, identity, connection and humanity in care. SilVR Adventures is honoured to collaborate with organisations who are leading the way in reimagining what ageing, wellbeing and cultural connection can look like.
These recognitions are not just awards — they represent a movement. A movement where older Australians are seen, heard and supported through experiences that enrich their lives and honour who they are.
We are grateful to our partners at Garden Village, Uniting and MACG for their vision and leadership. Together, we are shaping the future of aged care, mental health and meaningful engagement — one immersive experience at a time.
Read more about the 2025 Future of Ageing Awards.
