A virtual reality approach to safety messaging.
A collaborative success.
The Safer Streets Virtual Reality project is a powerful example of what can be achieved through genuine cross-sector collaboration. From funding and equipment to creative content and public engagement, each partner plays a vital role in turning shared goals into impactful outcomes.​
University of Northampton - teaching team
At the heart of the project is a passionate team of students and staff who lead the creative development of the immersive content. The university drives the experiential learning process, combining academic insight with practical production expertise. Key contributors include:
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Dr Kardi Somerfield – Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing, project lead
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Matthew Holtz – Senior Lecturer and creative advisor
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Paddy Costelloe – Technician and technical trainer
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Owain Rose - Senior Lecturer - Acting & Drama
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UON Campus Security Team
The security team are involved from briefing to roll-out and are essential to the operational rollout of the VR experiences, ensuring they reach students at key moments, such as Freshers’ Week. They are also important facilitators, helping the students to access locations, people and equipment. Chris Rockall, Head of Commercial and Soft Services, notes the project's “tremendous recognition and tangible impact on student safety”. Meanwhile Jeffrey Cook, Duty Security Manager observed:
“Supporting this project has been a fantastic opportunity and example of genuine knowledge exchange between campus security and marketing students. Whilst we were able to share our expertise in safety protocols and real-life incident response, the students brought a fresh, strategic approach to how these messages are communicated through innovative ideals and cultured methodologies. Their creativity, audience insight, and communication skills helped shape the VR project into something far more engaging and accessible, and in turn, we gained a better understanding of how to connect with our campus community more effectively. It's been a truly rewarding partnership that’s strengthened both our safety outreach and the students’ practical experience”.
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Centre for Academic Digital Education (CADE) / Extended Reality Special Interest Group (XR SIG)
​The project lead works closely with the library & learning services, in particular Rob Howe, Head of Learning Technology who takes an active involvement in the technology deployment and supports knowledge exchange inside the University and into the local tech community via the CADE and XR SIG.
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Safer Streets, Virtual Reality is now included in research project Headsets for Hope which successfully secured Knowledge Exchange funding to explore the use of VR in education settings. The project is managed by Emma Whewell, Helen Caldwell and Rob Howe but includes partners from West Northamptonshire Council and several schools.
“a fantastic opportunity and example of genuine knowledge exchange”.
RiVR Link (Reality in Virtual Reality)
As the technology supplier, RiVR provides the VR ‘classroom in a box’ and Insta360 shooting kit. The company also delivered staff and student training on VR filming techniques.
Paul Mallinson, Business Development Manager, praised the project for “showing how student creativity can take VR in new, meaningful directions”.
“showing how student creativity can take VR in new, meaningful directions”.
Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC)
The University of Northampton has joined forces with the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners Office to introduce a new way or delivering effective crime prevention. Virtual reality technology has been used to connect academia with the real world, enabling universities to make a difference in society by showcasing crime prevention in a unique way. This has been achieved by collaborating on a fully immersive experience, providing the end user with the total freedom to look in any direction within the headset, allowing them to truly experience the full effects of virtual reality training. Using virtual reality guides the students in the development of each community safety package, so that they can draw meaning from their first-hand experiences, elevating their level of thinking and creativity.
The vision has been achieved by working together on mutually beneficial relationships, leading to positive societal change, whilst supporting students with their media studies by providing them the cutting edge equipment to develop their skills. The skill of the marketing students involved capturing a brief from the OPFCC around complex community safety topics, identifying the best way to connect with the public.
“we have merged our expertise to create wonderful content for the end user to remember”.
Digital Northants
This regional digital innovation initiative helped showcase the project to a wider audience through a public demonstration, supporting knowledge-sharing beyond academia. Richard Beards, Innovation Manager of West Northants Council, commended it as “a standout example of cross-sector collaboration that brings real benefit to local people”.