Decisions, Decisions.

We make hundreds of decisions every day. Some big, some small, some right, some wrong.

Could one of those decisions change the path of your life?

We believe it could.

We are Virtual Decisions.

We create engaging VR content that allow difficult decisions to be safely simulated, improving outcomes and saving lives through experiential VR learning.

Find out more

Our Story

Changing behaviour is hard. Changing behaviour that is deep-rooted and potentially harmful is even harder. 

We have 30 years experience of using creative arts to make change. We’ve learnt that for meaningful change to happen, people need to be completely and utterly engaged. And to be engaged, people need to feel something, experience it and see the consequences play out.

So we developed Virtual Decisions in 2018 to safely simulate challenging situations, to help people experience the impact of their decisions without judgement. And to show them that there is another way.

See who we’ve helped

“People see a wall but they need to see the stairs. We help them experience the real weight and impact of their decisions, before it’s too late.”

Stuart Lane, Co-founder

How we work

Each VR experience we create and produce is unique. Using strong narratives and realistic characters we immerse participants in a story that they become a part of. They are not just observers, they are active throughout, engaged in making decisions which feel real and have consequences. 

As participants make choices and help characters navigate difficult situations - they connect with them. This connection propels discussions post VR experience and enables discussion of difficult scenarios they may find themselves in, via the characters.

Virtual Decisions is…
SAFE

Virtual Decisions is a trauma informed company. We will always provide a safe place to explore choices that could be harmful, with real world consequences. Discussing the characters' situation instead of their own, allows participants to ask questions and explore topics without fear or judgement.

REAL

Virtual Decisions ensures extensive research has been conducted with subject experts and people with lived experience for every subject covered. As such, we know what language and environments to use, ensuring topics are covered empathetically and authentically.

TRUSTED

Virtual Decisions is trusted. Our customers have the power to change lives by steering their audiences to make better choices. This trust is gained by developing a deep understanding of the participants' situations and translating that into the experiences’ design and interaction.

There’s nothing virtual about our team

Our approach to virtual reality is entirely human centred. And behind the scenes, we’re a dedicated team of real people striving to generate real change.

Founders

Claire Downes

CEO & Co-Founder
Claire Downes

Stuart Lane

Client Solutions Director & Co-Founder
Stuart Lane

Head of Departments

Phil Hyde

Head of Operations
Phil Hyde

Sami Neale

Head of Development
Sami Neale

Jimmy Bates

Head of Growth

Sales & Marketing

Josh Bricknall

Lead Facilitator & Client Relations Manager

Finn Wilkes

Head of Marketing and Client Admin

Lou Mardenborough

Education & Interventions Lead

Administrative & Research Support

Sian Fiumefreddo

Administrative Coordinator

Amirah Harvey-Head

Administrative Assistant

Daisy Askew

PHD Student & Research Support

Tech Support

Ethan Johnson

Operations and Technical Support

Daisy Askew

PHD Student & Research Support

Meet Daisy.

Current PhD psychology student at the University of Birmingham exploring Virtual Reality interventions to address youth gang involvement in at-risk populations. My main interests are focused in forensic psychology, including offence-related decision making processes. 

Previously employed by HMPPS as an interventions facilitator (group worker) in a Category A LTSHE. In this role, Daisy devlievered risk-reducing programmes to male prisoners under the supervision of treatment managers/qualified forensic psychologists. Daisy's aim is to use her experiences working with offenders in the prison system to shape my research in youth offending. 

This PhD is fully funded by Centre-UB and in partnership with Virtual Decisions. Alongside my research, I am also a facilitator for Virtual Decisions, delivering VR workshops in schools to young people.

Amirah Harvey-Head

Administrative Assistant

Meet Amirah. Our Administrative Assistant.

Having earned their Bachelor's degree in sociology and politics and Masters in education, and working as a consultant within arts, heritage, and education. Amirah is now eager to dive into this new administrative role and apply her skills. 

You may recognise Amirah, as they were an actor in Virtual_Decisions: GANGS. With Amirah having worked with Virtual Decisions both on and off screen, they have a unique perspective on our work.







Ethan Johnson

Operation and Technical Support

Meet Ethan. Our Operation and Technical Support.

Ethan joins us with a wealth of knowledge in VR and general tech, gained from working on and upgrading his PC and virtual reality setup at home, as well as studying computer science. 

Ethan is available to answer any questions our clients may have. 







Jimmy Bates

Head of Growth

Meet Jimmy. Head of Growth. And leader of tours.

Jimmy has over 15 years of experience in facilitating transformative educational experiences. He is always looking for innovative ways to enhance learning experiences and his expertise spans across creative workshop delivery, training, and coordination.

Still a child at heart Jimmy is a firm believer in the power of imagination in all walks of life. Alongside this he has an impecable sense of direction, in another life he would be a tour guide.

Energetic, imaginative and punctual.

Lou Mardenborough

Education & Interventions Lead

Meet Lou. Programme cheerleader, safeguarding superhero, and friendly face.

Lou has worked alongside the Virtual Decisions team for years in a variety of creative roles and has found her way back to the company as our very first Programme Ambassador. Her background in the arts, education, safeguarding, and pastoral roles, as well as her time in radio, means that Lou is uniquely positioned to champion Virtual Decisions experiences to the people that need them most.

Currently working with us alongside studying for her Master's in Drama Therapy, Lou is conscientious, fun-loving, compassionate, and ready to make an impact on the world.

Phil Hyde

Head of Operations

Meet Phil. Head of Operations, rapport and laughter.

Phil has a vast skillset across the creative arts, with his main strengths lying in scriptwriting, directing, and workshop facilitation. His wealth of experience means that Phil is able to develop new and innovative projects and deliver them to Virtual Decisions’ high standards.

Phil spends much of his time Training the Trainer, a role he thrives in: imparting knowledge, particularly about programmes he is endlessly passionate about, is something that Phil adores. 

Imaginative, intuitive, endlessly kind, Phil is a pleasure to work beside.

Finn Wilkes

Marketing and Client Admin

Meet Finn. videographer, Marketer and problem solver.

Having graduated with a degree in Media Production, Finn's skill set is unique within the team - he used to be in the editing suite but has recently switched jobs to focus more on marketing and sales. 

Having worked with Virtual Decisions both on and off screen, Finn has a pretty unique perspective on our world and our work.

Josh Bricknall

Creative Facilitator & Client Relations Manager

Meet Josh. Client Relations Manager and Lead Facilitator

When Josh isn’t supporting our clients up and down the UK, he's running inspiring workshops to young people.

Josh is known for facilitating impactful conversations and empowering participants to understand and value their life choices, all whilst assisting organisations in their own delivery of the Virtual Decisions programmes in their own practise. 

Our dedicated team is more than just a workforce; we're united by a common goal – to bring innovation, insight and inspiration to every decision we make, and Josh truly exemplifies that in all he does.

Sian Fiumefreddo

Admin Assistant

Having earned her degree in business, strategy and management, then becoming a stay-at-home mom, Siân is eager to dive into this new administrative role and apply her skills. 

 When we asked her about joining the team, Siân said, "I am thrilled at the opportunity to work for such an innovative team that are doing such important work for social good". 

 You may recognise Siân, as she was an actor in Virtual_Decisions: REACHOUT. It was through this experience that she gained valuable insight into the behind-the-scenes operations. Now, having the opportunity to experience what its like to work at Virtual Decisions HQ alongside a passionate and dedicated team, Siân is going to have a well rounded understanding of the company: further aiding her in her role as Admin Assistant. ✨

Sami Neale

Head of Development

Meet Sami. Head of Development, scriptwriter, education expert and workshop wonder.

Sami is the driving force behind our VR experiences. She works with the clients from the earliest phase of each project; shaping ideas and conducting research. Then she turns to scripting and character development which she sees through right to shoot day, where the stories come to life. And it doesn’t end there, Sami then focuses on the extended support packages. At every step she ensures our work is engaging, authentic and achieves the desired impact. 

And when she isn’t doing all of that with legendary passion and precision, you’ll find Sami performing in her rock-covers band or planning another epic trip to China (this will be trip 9!).

Precise, dependable, and warm, Sami is a dream colleague and friend.

Stuart Lane

Client Solutions Director & Co-Founder

Meet Stuart. Client Solutions Director, co-founder, educator and scriptwriter.

When he’s not researching and working with clients to problem solve the challenge they are facing with a creative VR solution, or working out how best to engage young people, Stuart can be found writing scripts for film and TV, or reminiscing over the times he spent performing with his band (who were once played on Radio 1!).

Tech savvy, quick witted, and kind hearted; Stuart always has a positive outlook and a joke up his sleeve.

Stuart's favourite thing about Virtual Decisions is knowing that everything it’s doing is having a positive impact on all those it reaches.

Claire Downes

CEO & Co-Founder

Meet Claire. CEO and co-founder, screenwriter and chief cheerleader.

A female founder in a male-dominated sector, Claire is proud to be fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech world, whilst encouraging creativity in every venture.

When she’s not creating life changing VR programmes on set as she directs our VR films, (a skill she honed during many years as a child acting coach on film sets including Nanny McPhee and The Chronicles of Narnia), you’ll find Claire writing for film and TV (ITV, SKY, Amazon Prime, BBC and Apple TV+).

Passionate, compassionate, and boldly Brummie, Claire is a wonderful leader and colleague. She’s also Queen of Margarita Making.