Delivered by Project Zero
In 2022, the Foundation for Future London has awarded a grant to Project Zero for its project “Virtual Futures” for young people in Newham and Waltham Forest through our Large Grant Scheme.
Virtual Futures is a creative learning and employment programme using virtual reality art, where young Black, Asian or ethnically diverse and socially-disadvantaged people will explore the potential of their digital, gaming and artistic talents.
The Large Grant Scheme is part of our Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund, funded by Westfield Stratford City.
The project meets three of our scheme’s key themes, Employment Opportunities, Learning Opportunities and Young People.
Virtual Futures is a creative learning and employment programme using virtual reality art, where young Black, Asian or ethnically diverse and socially-disadvantaged people will explore the potential of their digital, gaming and artistic talents.
The Virtual Futures project will harness this natural affinity with VR technology to show young people how their artistic and gaming talents could lead to engaging employment opportunities. Through the programme, they will learn key digital skills, meet tech companies in person and broaden their aspirations. All activities at Project Zero are youth-led both in planning and delivery. We have around 20 Youth Champions who have undergone leadership training, who help to deliver our services, advocate for young people in the borough and serve on a steering group that shapes all service delivery at Project Zero. Parts of the Virtual Futures programme will be delivered by some of its participants who will be trained and paid to deliver workshops in schools and at Project Zero to show this amazing technology to their peers.
Virtual Futures uses virtual reality art to engage young people in learning digital skills. We believe this is a tool that will see exponential growth in the next few years, and we aim to help young people in East London to be ready. Facebook’s recent rebrand to Meta and creation of a metaverse reflects the growing importance that VR technology will have in daily life in the coming 10+ years. Currently, VR is being used to train surgeons, test drive sports cars and improve the mental wellbeing of people with dementia. This will only increase in the coming years.
To take part, please email info@projectzerowf.co.uk or see their website projectzerowf.co.uk.
Transforming lives and careers of people in East London
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