A virtual reality workshop allows residents of the San Carlos care home in Archidona to relive childhood memories and stroll through forests and beaches without leaving their chairs.
The elderly residents of the San Carlos care home in Archidona have participated in an immersive experience that has allowed them to 'travel' through their senses. Thanks to a workshop organised by the Way2Culture association, the residents have been able to reminisce about their childhood, explore special landscapes, and discover new places without leaving the centre.
The activity combined physical stimuli and natural materials with audiovisual projections and 3D glasses. In this way, participants 'strolled' through a forest, 'walked' along a beach, and relived moments they can no longer experience in other ways due to their age or reduced mobility. “It was very emotional,” several of them commented after the session.
The workshop not only had an emotional impact but also a cognitive one. Organisers highlighted that this type of stimulus helps connect with distant memories and provides mental benefits, such as improved attention and memory. Additionally, the experience fosters social interaction among residents.
Way2Culture is a newly created association that aims to bring culture closer in a playful and inclusive way through new technologies. Its goal is to reach vulnerable groups in the rural towns of the province of Málaga, especially those who, due to age, health, or place of residence, have limited access to cultural activities. The founder, Carolin Zobel, explained that in the short term they hope to work with hospitalised children and collaborate with other associations.
Currently, the association is developing an audiovisual library featuring iconic places, events, and rural knowledge from the province. To this end, they are seeking the collaboration of locals, artisans, guides, and local experts who can contribute content. The aim is to preserve this heritage and make it available to any user.
The initiative has been well received by participants and staff at the care home, who see these activities as a way to improve the quality of life for the elderly. The next session is scheduled for next month, with new thematic experiences that will include urban and rural landscapes from the province.
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