News

Wild Wings of Hope Receives Immersive Arts Funding

I’m delighted that Wild Wings of Hope has received support from Immersive Arts / Celfyddydau Ymdrochol to develop an augmented reality storytelling experience for people in care settings.

Building on the project’s papercraft workshops, exhibitions and oral storytelling, this new prototype explores how immersive technology can create gentle moments of reflection, wonder and connection for people who may have limited access to the outdoors.

Using a simple printed postcard, participants will be invited to follow a barn swallow’s extraordinary journey between the UK and Africa through animation, sound and storytelling, guided by the voices of Cara Silversmith and Chief Gift Amu.

Components of a Wild Wings of Hope barn swallow papercut kit
Components of the barn swallow papercraft kit.
Ed Harrison, Chief Gift Amu-Logotse and Cara Silversmith discussing and pointing to a map of Africa.
Ed, Gift Amu and Cara discussing swallow migration routes between the UK and Africa.
AR developer Tanya Parker animating a barn swallow in Mattercraft at her studio desk.
Developer Tanya Parker will help us bring swallow migration to life through augmented reality.
Immersive Arts / Celfyddau Ymdrochol logo

The prototype is being developed in collaboration with Tanya Parker, who is leading the augmented reality development, alongside healthcare, cultural and community partners who will help shape and test the experience.

Rather than replacing time spent in nature, the project asks how digital storytelling might help bring moments of nature closer to people in hospitals, hospices and care settings, where access to the outdoors can sometimes be limited.

Over the coming months I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes updates as the prototype develops, including the illustration process, user testing and the many conversations helping to shape this next chapter of Wild Wings of Hope.

Wild Wings of Hope is proud to be supported by Immersive Arts. Learn more about the programme and the artists exploring immersive storytelling.