Cornerstone VR has announced its sponsorship of Muay Thai athlete Gene Smith, in an effort to support youth empowerment and combat knife crime.

Cornerstone VR Sponsors Rising Muay Thai Athlete, Gene Smith to Help Vulnerable Youth Rewrite Their Futures

Birmingham-based tech-for-good company Cornerstone VR is making a significant impact in the fight against violence among vulnerable youth. According to the Youth Endowment Fund’s Children, Violence and Vulnerability Report 5, children most at risk of violence, including those with special educational needs, school exclusions, or gang involvement, are less likely to engage in team sports. Instead, they are more likely to participate in activities like combat sports, volunteering, and outdoor adventures. These findings highlight the need for tailored, engaging alternatives that speak to their experiences and offer a sense of purpose.

Recognizing this need, Cornerstone VR is proud to announce its sponsorship of rising Muay Thai athlete, Gene Smith. At just 16 years old, Gene became the youngest ranked professional Muay Thai fighter in the UK. However, his success was shaped by his difficult upbringing in a community where knife crime was prevalent. He witnessed friends being stabbed and also 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 now trains at K-Star Gym, which serves as a safe space for young people. Many of them stay from after school until late evening, learning discipline, confidence, and community.

“Research shows combat sports can play a powerful role in prevention for those most at risk,” says Serena Hadi, Head of Operations and Practice at Cornerstone VR. “Gene’s work gives vulnerable young people structure, connection, and hope…exactly what’s needed.”

As part of the partnership, Gene is also championing Cornerstone VR’s immersive virtual reality films, which explore the emotional impact of knife carrying through the eyes of those affected. These 360° films are used by professionals and young people in 1-1 and group interventions, facilitating open, guided conversations on real-life risks. After experiencing 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, but they show what it does to families and friends,” says Gene. “That emotional truth is what young people really connect with.”

Gene Smith and Cornerstone VR are using sport and storytelling to reach those who need it most and to help rewrite futures. To learn more about Cornerstone VR and their work, visit www.cornerstonevr.co.uk.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About Cornerstone VR: Cornerstone VR, part of The Antser Group, is a Birmingham-based tech-for-good company at the forefront of providing trauma-informed virtual reality solutions across the health, education, sports and social care sectors. With a mission to improve outcomes for society’s most vulnerable, Cornerstone VR empowers users with immersive experiences that enhance empathy and understanding of early-life trauma and societal influences.

Website: 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, call 0808 1756 414.