Foróige GoVirtual Case Study 1: Building Belonging in Virtual Worlds

Foróige GoVirtual & HSE CDNT Mayo: Virtual Reality Group
In Mayo, a quiet revolution in connection was underway. Through a new VR group co-created by Foróige GoVirtual and the HSE Community Disability Network Team, autistic teenagers – many of whom were isolated by geography or social barriers – stepped into a whole new way of being together.

Using Meta Questheadsets and the platform Rec Room, young people gathered weekly in a private, welcoming virtual space. They explored, played, built, and bonded – all from the comfort and safety of their own homes. With support from VR Development Officer Tom Rickard and CDNT staff, the group developed routines and rituals: meeting in a personalised GoVirtual hub, diving into icebreakers, team games, and creative activities, and finishing each session with a virtual pizza and chat.

Parents reported remarkable transformations. For some, it was easier to socialise with their peers in VR compared to in-person groups. In VR, conversations flowed more easily. Confidence grew. Real friendships blossomed. As one parent put it: “VR was the tool – the gateway to socialising.”

Through this pioneering project, young people learned more than how to navigate new tech. They learned how to connect, create and express themselves.  They gained a springboard into other opportunities – and a sense of belonging that can last far beyond the headset.

It was more intimate – even though it was virtual, it felt like a more relaxing setting.
– Parent

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