We’re excited to bring Tend’s innovative Virtual Reality Mindfulness-Based Intervention (VR-MBI) to local Mind locations across Essex. This cutting-edge, immersive experience is designed to help you feel calmer, manage anxious thoughts, and build practical tools you can use in everyday life.

Using VR technology, Tend transports you into beautifully calming virtual environments while gently guiding you through an eight-week mindfulness course. You can also enjoy additional VR relaxation sessions whenever you visit your local Mind; perfect for taking a breather and resetting your mind.

The technology allows you to work on your wellbeing at your own pace, in a quiet and focused way, which can feel especially supportive if you feel anxious about opening up or sharing personal experiences with others.

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Alongside the VR sessions, you’ll get access to Tend’s mobile companion app, packed with short, easy-to-use exercises and mindfulness practices to support your wellbeing anytime, anywhere.

A chance to pause, breathe, and recharge.

Try an Introductory Session for Free

Begin with a free introductory session to get comfortable with the VR experience and explore whether the programme feels right for you.

Course Cost

If you choose to continue, course sessions are £25 each. The VR-MBI course includes eight sessions, which are available to use at any time during Mind’s opening hours, though we recommend completing the full programme over 8–10 weeks to get the most benefit.

Sessions take place in a local Mind space, where you’ll use the VR headset in a safe, supportive setting.

To book your free introductory session or find out more, please contact your local Mind.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Completing the Course

How can Tend help me?

Tend is designed to support people experiencing anxiety and depression. Tend VR-MBI immerses you in a calming environment as it guides you through a structured 8-week programme, designed with people with lived experience and clinical experts.

You will be supported through mindfulness training, meditation practices and interactive exercises designed to support skill learning. Our mobile companion app enhances and supports your learning each week, helping to integrate mindfulness into your everyday life.

Do I need a VR headset to use Tend?

Yes, but headsets are provided by your local Mind.

Do I need a smartphone to use Tend?

Yes, because the Tend VR-MBI programme is accompanied by a mobile app designed to help with skills home practice in your everyday environment between sessions. These practices are an important part of helping you get the most out of the course.

Do I have to complete the whole course?

It is your choice to complete the course or to decide that it is not for you.

You can withdraw at any stage and though we would appreciate some insights into your reasons for not completing the course, you are not obliged to tell us.

About the course

What is Tend’s Virtual Reality Mindfulness Based Intervention (VR-MBI)?

Tend’s VR-MBI programme has its foundations in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). MBCT is one of the most well-established approaches for reducing anxiety, low mood, stress, and burnout, with a strong evidence base. It is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as an effective treatment for depression.

Tend VR-MBI adapts core MBCT principles and exercises into an immersive, virtual reality experience. Through guided sessions, it helps you develop greater awareness of your thoughts and feelings, and learn how to relate to them in a more balanced and helpful way.

Our VR-MBI programme is delivered through weekly 45-minute sessions over 8 weeks using a VR headset, alongside a mobile companion app that supports you to practise and apply these skills in your everyday life.

How has the Tend VR-MBI programme been developed?

Everything we develop, design and deliver has been in partnership with users. From the first small pilot study through to our most recent planning for a study on Difficult to Treat Depression (DTD) we have started with the people we’re aiming to help, with people who are experts because of their own experience. Gradually, as each piece of research is considered, we have graduated from involvement through to our current approach of co-creation and co-production.

Is Tend VR-MBI safe?

Tend VR-MBI is registered as a Class 1 medical device with the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (date of initial registration: January 2025, renewed 2026). Tend’s Clinical Safety Officer and Clinical Safety Team have implemented all appropriate clinical risk management processes to comply with NHS Digital’s standards. Tend is a Digital Mental Health Technology. You can learn more about Digital Mental Health Technologies and up to date guidance from MHRA here.

Is Tend VR-MBI secure?

Tend VR-MBI has undertaken a full Digital Technology Assessment  Criteria (DTAC) process. The DTAC is the NHS’s quick safety check for health apps and digital tools, to make sure they’re safe, secure, and trustworthy before they’re used with patients. Tend VR-MBI is compliant with the requirements of NCSC Cyber Essentials. Tend VR MBI is DCB 0129 compliant.

About Tend

What is Tend?

See https://www.tendmentalhealth.com/ for more information.

Who are the people behind Tend?

The team comprises a group of people passionate about improving mental health across the globe. Our focus is on the potential of technology, particularly virtual reality, because we believe it can increase accessibility, improve reach, extend scalability and enable engagement of people with depression and/or anxiety.

Each member of the team brings their own expertise – developers, clinicians, researchers, clinical and research advisers, operations and finance leaders, a CEO and founders.

The vast majority of team members are not only experts in their field but also have lived experience of mental health issues, and most are neurodiverse.