Community Care Gaming
- Founded
- 2021-01-01 in London, England
- Headquarters
- London, England
Community Care Gaming is a UK-based not-for-profit social enterprise that harnesses virtual reality and esports to combat loneliness, social isolation, dementia risk, and to support stroke survivors’ recovery. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in London, the organisation operates as a trading name of ESG Corporate Community Interest Company (CIC), a structure that reinvests all surplus into its social mission. With a small, dedicated team of 2–10 employees and a roster of volunteers, the enterprise develops immersive experiences and research-led interventions targeting older adults (50+), individuals with depression or anxiety, and those affected by neurological conditions. The company’s flagship offering, Immersive Insight, creates next-generation VR solutions designed to improve workforce capability, compliance, and behaviour change across regulated sectors. Beyond VR, the organisation runs a separate but complementary initiative, Community Care Gambling, which delivers purposeful research and thought leadership to minimise gambling-related harm. Community Care Gaming has partnered with bodies such as the Stroke Association and the Network to Reduce Gambling Harms Great Britain, and actively publishes research through its online Research Hub. Its approach blends technology, evidence-based evaluation, and community co-creation, positioning it as an innovative player at the intersection of health-tech and social care.
Detailed Review
Background and Structure
Community Care Gaming was established in 2021 by Lee Willows, who serves as Founder & Executive Chair. The enterprise is registered as a Community Interest Company (ESG Corporate CIC), ensuring all profits are directed toward social objectives. The organisation’s headquarters are in London, England, and its LinkedIn profile lists a company size of 2–10 employees, reflecting a lean, volunteer-supported operational model.
Mission and Dual Focus
The core mission is twofold: to use VR, esports, and gaming to reduce loneliness, social isolation, dementia risk factors, and aid stroke recovery; and to conduct research and thought leadership on the societal impacts of gaming, gambling, and technology. This dual focus is reflected in two distinct product areas: Immersive Insight – a suite of virtual reality solutions aimed at improving workforce capability, engagement, compliance, and behaviour change in regulated and high-impact sectors; and Community Care Gambling – a separate initiative that delivers purposeful research, thought-leadership and niche products to increase insight and evidence, and minimise gambling-related harm. This latter arm has received funding from the Network to Reduce Gambling Harms Great Britain and runs a train-the-trainer model for professionals.
Products and Platforms
The organisation’s Research Hub publishes findings from its pilot programmes and evaluations. The enterprise also conducts workshops, webinars, and community events – for example, a collaboration with the Stroke Association featured in a YouTube video. Partnerships extend to academic and clinical bodies, with the team including a Director of Healthcare Partnerships and a Lead Researcher. The organisation is not a gambling operator; its gambling work is solely research and harm prevention.
Recent Activity and Growth
In 2025/26, the company announced a funded project from the Network to Reduce Gambling Harms Great Britain, including a June 2025 webinar and a September 2025 train-the-trainer programme. It continues to expand its advisory group and volunteer base.
Key Products
Immersive Insight
A VR solutions platform designed to improve workforce capability, engagement, compliance and behaviour change in regulated and high-impact sectors such as healthcare and social care.
Community Care Gambling
A research and thought-leadership initiative delivering evidence, insight, and niche products to reduce gambling-related harm, operating under the same CIC structure with a separate website.
Research Hub
An online repository of research findings, evaluation reports, and project updates published by Community Care Gaming to share learnings from its VR and esports interventions.
Esports & Gaming Workshops
In-person and digital workshops using multiplayer gaming and VR to foster social connection, cognitive stimulation, and recovery support for stroke survivors, people with dementia, and those experiencing loneliness.
Offices & Headcount
6 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
Lee WillowsFounder & Executive Chair
John DabillTechnical Director