Charity launches immersive technology venture after innovation partnership with university
Bishop Auckland-based charity Eric Knows received strategic support from the University of Sunderland's Arrow innovation team to help the organisation diversify its income streams and expand its impact across the North East. This support enabled the organisation to launch a new immersive technology to assist people explore new locations virtually, reducing anxiety and building confidence ahead of visiting.
Founded in 2018 by people with lived experience of neurodiversity and disability, Eric Knows works with disabled, autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and adults, helping them build confidence, gain qualifications and develop skills for employment, volunteering and independent living.
The charity also advises organisations across the tourism, culture and hospitality sectors on accessibility and inclusion, while its online platform, Eric's Atlas, helps users identify accessible venues and attractions across the region.
As demand for its services continued to grow, the organisation began exploring ways to reduce its reliance on grant funding and create sustainable new revenue streams. Immersive technology was identified as a potential area for growth, with the team keen to investigate how virtual and augmented reality could enhance its training and consultancy services.
To support this ambition, Eric Knows worked with the Arrow innovation team at the University of Sunderland, undertaking a research project focused on identifying commercial opportunities through digital and immersive technologies.
The study combined business analysis with technical expertise, examining how emerging technologies could support people with neurodivergence and disabilities while also creating new products and services for the charity.
The resulting report identified a range of opportunities, including the use of virtual and augmented reality to enhance training programmes, support work placements and develop immersive awareness training experiences for businesses and organisations seeking to improve accessibility and understanding.
Researchers also explored potential enhancements to the charity's website and digital content, alongside detailed recommendations on technology options, target markets, pricing structures and future funding opportunities.
Ella Bains, founder and CEO of Eric Knows, said:
"The work from Arrow has given me a roadmap and the report was amazing. It was also really timely as I've been able to secure some funding to take on three new members of staff to help implement some of the report's recommendations. The Arrow team have been brilliant, really supportive throughout the project and always on hand to answer any questions I had."
The recommendations have already influenced the charity's next phase of development.
Building on the findings, Eric Knows has established Able 360, a new venture creating immersive 360-degree virtual tours designed to help people explore venues remotely, reduce anxiety and build confidence before visiting unfamiliar locations.
The service aims to improve accessibility by allowing users to familiarise themselves with environments in advance, helping organisations create more welcoming experiences for visitors with additional needs.
Roger Thomas, Senior Innovation Associate, Arrow University of Sunderland, said:
"Eric Knows provide a unique and necessary service and it was humbling to be able to support them. The aim was to identify and guide them as to which, and how, immersive technologies they can use to both further their services and strengthen a commercial offering. The academic support Dr Julia Nobari provided gave critical business insights. Collectively, hopefully the report will prove invaluable."
The project highlights the growing role immersive technologies can play in supporting accessibility, while demonstrating how charities can develop innovative commercial services to strengthen long-term sustainability and extend their social impact.
Arrow provides bespoke innovation support to help North East organisations develop innovative new products, technologies and services by connecting them with specialist knowledge, facilities and research expertise from the region’s universities.
Arrow support is fully-funded for North East organisations thanks to support from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority through its Integrated Settlement Fund, and is delivered in partnership by Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University and the University of Sunderland,
Discover how Arrow can support innovation in businesses based in County Durham, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Gateshead, Newcastle and Northumberland.
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