We’re proud to share that Nene Valley Community First Responders have now received their RL360 Mixed Reality Training Package as part of the Ruth Lee Volunteer Heroes 2025 Fund.
The handover marks the third RL360 delivery through this year’s Volunteer Heroes programme, helping volunteer emergency response teams access advanced training technology that may otherwise be beyond reach.
Supporting Volunteer Heroes Across the UK
Launched in 2017, the Ruth Lee Volunteer Heroes initiative forms part of our wider commitment to supporting volunteer-led rescue and emergency response organisations who dedicate their time and expertise to protecting their communities.
For 2025, the programme focused specifically on UK-based volunteer teams, helping them gain access to the latest rescue training equipment and technology.
Following a competitive application process, six UK volunteer organisations were selected to receive support through this year’s programme.
Three teams – Hampshire Search and Rescue, Surrey Search & Rescue, and Nene Valley First Responders – were chosen to receive our RL360 Mixed Reality Training Package, while a further three organisations – Order of Malta Ambulance Corps (Armagh & Coalisland Units), Tees River Rescue, and Central Beacons Mountain Rescue — will each receive a Trauma Rescue Manikin to enhance their casualty care training.
RL360 Handover to Nene Valley Community First Responders
This week, Nene Valley CFR officially received their RL360 system, with Ruth Lee Product Manager Ryan Foley visiting the team to deliver and set up the equipment and provide training on the system.
Nene Valley Community First Responders are a dedicated group of trained volunteers who provide immediate lifesaving support to patients in their local communities while an ambulance is on the way. Operating across the Nene Valley area, responders are dispatched by the ambulance service to attend emergencies such as cardiac arrests, breathing difficulties, chest pain, and other life-threatening incidents.
By arriving quickly and delivering early care – including CPR, defibrillation, and patient assessment – the team plays a crucial role in improving outcomes during the critical first minutes of an emergency.
Working closely with the regional ambulance service, the volunteers help bridge the gap between the moment help is requested and the arrival of paramedics. Alongside responding to incidents, the team also dedicates significant time to training, fundraising, and community engagement, ensuring their skills remain sharp and that vital emergency support remains available within the community.
Enhancing Training and Community Engagement
The Nene Valley team applied for the RL360 Mixed Reality Training Package through the Volunteer Heroes programme to help strengthen their ongoing training and preparedness.
The RL360 system allows responders to practise patient assessment, decision-making, and casualty care scenarios in a safe and controlled environment, helping volunteers build confidence before encountering real-world emergencies.
In addition to supporting internal training, the team also identified the technology as a valuable community engagement tool. By demonstrating RL360 to local supporters, partners, and potential donors, they can help people better understand the realities of emergency response and raise awareness of the vital role Community First Responders play in their area.
What the Nene Valley Package Includes
The RL360 package delivered to the team includes:
- RL360 Mixed Reality software licence
- HTC VIVE XR Elite headset and wireless tracker system
- 30kg Duty Manikin, complementing their existing Ruth Lee manikin stock, which includes lightweight Mountain Rescue Manikins
Together, this setup allows the responders to combine hands-on casualty handling with immersive mixed-reality scenarios, creating realistic training experiences that reflect the types of incidents they may encounter in the field.
Looking Ahead
We’re incredibly proud to support teams like Nene Valley CFR through the Volunteer Heroes programme and excited to see how RL360 will support their training and community outreach in the months ahead.
As with all Volunteer Heroes recipients, feedback from teams using the system in real training environments will play an important role in helping us continue to develop and refine RL360 for the wider emergency services community.
To learn more about the Volunteer Heroes programme, our wider social commitment initiatives, and updates on future funding rounds, visit our Social Commitment pages.
Want to be part of Volunteer Heroes 2026?
Make sure you’re first to know when applications open again by registering your interest via our email newsletter. We’ll let you know the moment it goes live – so you don’t miss your chance to receive support directly from us here at Ruth Lee.
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Want to Learn More About RL360?
The RL360 Mixed Reality Training Package is designed to enhance casualty assessment and patient care training by blending physical manikins with immersive mixed reality scenarios – whether training at base or out in the field.
UK-based organisations interested in exploring how RL360 could support their training can request a free demonstration with our team using the form on the page linked below.
👉 Find out more about RL360 and request a free UK demonstration