A Breath of Fresh Air – Willen Hospice Uses Immersive Technology to Bring Joy and Comfort to Patients

Backed by a much-loved local charity and inspired by one man’s final days, Willen Hospice’s new immersive room offers patients the chance to step into another world – all without leaving the city. With sights, sounds and even scents designed to soothe, this remarkable space shows how technology and community spirit can come together in the most meaningful way.

It starts with a breeze. Soft, cool air stirring across the skin. Then the gentle hum of bees, the rustle of trees, and the warm scent of lavender in full bloom. This is not a countryside spa or an exclusive retreat. It is the newly unveiled immersive room at Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes, created to offer comfort and connection to patients living with life-limiting illness.

For 72-year-old Margaret, who has advanced lung disease, it was the sound of waves and the cry of gulls that transported her back to childhood holidays in Devon. Her daughter sat beside her, holding her hand, tears in her eyes. “She hasn’t been to the coast in years,” she said. “But for a moment, we were there together.”

Believed to be one of the first of its kind in a UK hospice setting, the immersive room is the result of months of careful planning, testing and collaboration. It combines cutting-edge sensory technology with a deep understanding of what truly matters in palliative care: the chance to experience moments of calm, joy and togetherness.

Much of that has been made possible by The Jim Marshall Charity. Set up in memory of Jim Marshall, the founder of world-famous audio and tech firm Marshall Amplification, the charity funded the project in full. The company, based in Bletchley, has long been a part of the fabric of Milton Keynes, and Jim himself received end-of-life care at Willen. His legacy now lives on in this room, which brings music, sound and sensory experience to those at the most vulnerable point in their lives.

The room is designed to be flexible and responsive. For some, it might mean being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the seaside, complete with the smell of salt in the air. For others, it could be a virtual woodland, or a cosy cinema to watch a favourite film with loved ones. The technology allows the Hospice’s Therapeutic & Wellbeing team to curate tailored experiences using projected visuals, immersive sound, scent, and even touch-responsive features.

“It’s really innovative and we’re incredibly proud to have it here,” says Jenni Marks, Therapeutic & Wellbeing Operational Lead at the Hospice. “There are so many opportunities to use this space to help people affected by life-limiting illness to have meaningful, wonderful experiences.”

Peter, 68, recently used the room to watch a nature documentary with his grandchildren. “It felt like we were in the jungle together,” he said. “They were pointing things out and asking questions. I hadn’t seen them smile like that in a while.”

Staff can support patients from the In-Patient Unit to use the room for relaxation or reminiscence. Family members can join in, sharing moments that might once have seemed out of reach. The Social Care team uses the space for games and quizzes with touch functionality, helping people stay engaged and connected. Complementary Therapies staff also use the room to enhance guided meditation and relaxation sessions, creating an environment that supports both physical and emotional wellbeing.

The idea for the room first came about during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions on visiting and shared spaces highlighted just how vital connection and experience are to patients and families. The team began to imagine a space that could offer those things, even when traditional means weren’t available.

Now, that vision is a reality – and one that puts Milton Keynes at the forefront of compassionate, tech-assisted hospice care.

“Having a life-limiting illness affects people in so many ways,” says Jenni. “Not just physically, but emotionally, socially and spiritually too. This room lets us care for the whole person, not just their condition.”

It is already proving popular. Weekly patient exercise groups have been using the room to play movement games, adding an extra layer of fun and engagement to gentle physical activity. Families have been able to sit together and watch a film. Others have simply chosen to lie back, close their eyes, and listen to birdsong.

In a modest building just off Willen Lake, something quietly extraordinary is happening. A lavender field in full bloom. A family reunited around a favourite film. A child laughing as their grandparent reaches to pop a bubble that floats across the screen.

Moments that matter, made possible by a community that cares.