VR nature experience for Glastonbury revellers to showcase health benefits  

Glastonbury festival goers can immerse in a virtual reality (VR) nature experience, to showcase its benefits in pain management and mental health.  

Dr Sam Hughes of the University of Exeter will run the stall, held in the Science Futures Field at Glastonbury festival. It aims to produce the feeling of being immersed within nature through virtual reality, art, sound and film to recreate the pain reducing and mental health benefits of nature. 

Visitors to the stall will experience four different VR nature scenes followed by interactive art and craft opportunity using spray paint stencils to decorate tote bags, inspired by the scenes. 

Dr Hughes a lecture in Pain and director of Exeter Pain Lab at the University of Exeter said: “Nature has been shown to have a positive effect on both managing long-term pain and mental health so it’s a great to make people aware of these health benefits. Glastonbury is a great place to do this as we can reach such a range of people over the course of the festival.” 

The immersive experience is part of Brainwaves and Birdsong, a public engagement initiative, comprised of a team of scientists, mural artists, music composers, and wildlife documentary makers. 

The project is funded through the Chronic Pain Neurotechnology Network. They will use people’s experiences throughout that week to develop a mural based on the psychological principles of nature, which will then be auctioned off for charity. 

Dr Hughes said “For so many people experiencing pain, nature isn’t accessible. This stall is a great way to showcase the ability to use VR to deliver nature and its benefits to people from the comfort of their own homes.” 

Dr Hughes will also be doing a panel discussion on the Laboratory stage on ‘Nature and Mental Health’ with Professor Gilly Forrester (University of Sussex) and author Joanne Mallon. They will also be showcasing their new eight-minute journey through the psychology of nature using the immersive sound and film as part of the ‘Nine Lessons of the Summer Solstice’ hosted by renowned comedian and actor, Robin Ince on the Laboratory Stage. 

Glastonbury Festival is running from 25–29 June at Worthy Farm in Somerset, covering 900 acres with over 80 stages and 3,000 performances. 

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