Press Release
Tuesday 8 July, 2025
A recent report by the Youth Endowment Fund has shed light on the issue of violence among vulnerable children. The Children, Violence and Vulnerability Report 5 revealed that children with special educational needs, those who have been excluded from school, or those involved in gangs are less likely to engage in team sports but more likely to participate in activities such as combat sports, volunteering, and outdoor adventure. These findings highlight the need for tailored and engaging alternatives that address the unique experiences of these children and provide a sense of purpose.
In response to this pressing issue, Cornerstone VR, a leading provider of trauma-informed virtual reality solutions, is proud to sponsor the rising Muay Thai athlete Gene Smith. At the young age of 16, Gene became the youngest ranked professional Muay Thai fighter in the UK. His success, however, was shaped by adversity as he grew up in a community where knife crime was rampant. He witnessed friends being stabbed and even had knives pulled on him personally.
“Being in the gym every night is what kept me out of trouble,” Gene explains. “I’ve had friends stabbed right in front of me. Thai boxing gave me something to focus on, and now I want to offer that same lifeline to others.”
Gene’s gym, K-Star Gym, now serves as a safe space for young people. Many of them stay from after school until late evening, learning discipline, confidence, and the importance of community.
According to Serena Hadi, Head of Operations and Practice at Cornerstone VR, “Research shows that combat sports can play a powerful role in prevention for those most at risk. Gene’s work provides vulnerable young people with structure, connection, and hope, which is exactly what they need.”
As part of their partnership, Gene is also promoting Cornerstone VR’s immersive virtual reality films that explore the emotional impact of knife carrying through the eyes of those affected. These 360° films are used by professionals and young people in one-on-one and group interventions, facilitating open and guided conversations on real-life risks. After participating in VR interventions, 100% of young people surveyed reported a better understanding of the risks they may face, increased willingness to seek help from adults, and greater motivation to make safer choices for themselves.
“I think the VR films are powerful because they don’t just show what happens, they also show the impact on families and friends,” says Gene. “That emotional truth is what young people really connect with.”
Gene Smith and Cornerstone VR are using the power of sport and storytelling to reach out to those in need and help rewrite their futures.
To learn more about Cornerstone VR, please visit their website at www.cornerstonevr.co.uk. For all media enquiries, please contact Corinna Leaning or Stacey Cox at Cornerstone VR on corinna.leaning@cornerstonevr.co.uk or Stacey.cox@cornerstonevr.co.uk. Alternatively, you can call 0808 1756 414.
Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/
