The Catch a Rising Star Programme aims to provide tailored mentoring and coaching support to individuals in the early stages of their career in XR for rehabilitation.

During a period of 10 months, the selected participant will engage in regular mentoring and coaching sessions, workshops, and activities tailored to their individual needs and goals.

The programme, which runs every year from September till the annual XR4REHAB Conference, is open to XR4REHAB members aged 18 and above who are actively engaged in XR for rehabilitation. The person can be a clinician, researcher, developer, business, service user, and should have a genuine commitment to developing a sustained career in XR for rehabilitation and be willing to actively engage in the mentoring and coaching process.

Applicants will be required to submit an application form outlining:

1. Clear goals for their involvement in XR for rehabilitation

2. Why they would benefit from mentoring and coaching support. (This could include describing specific challenges they’ve faced, obstacles they’ve encountered, or areas where they feel they need guidance and support)

3. Their commitment to actively participate in the programme (This could involve describing how they plan to engage with their mentors and coaches, what they hope to gain from the experience, and how they intend to apply the knowledge and skills acquired.)

4. They should also demonstrate their readiness to continue their progress beyond the duration of the programme and their potential to become advocates for XR for rehabilitation.

5. Furthermore, applicants should outline the potential impact that receiving mentoring and coaching support could have on their career development. (This could include their readiness for change, willingness to learn and grow, and capacity to apply the insights gained from the programme to their daily life.)

The 2024 application deadline has passed. In February 2025 the application form for 2025 will be put online.

Final selection will be made by the XR4REHAB Executive Committee and applicants will be informed of the outcome one month later.

The selected participant will be matched with experienced mentors and coaches who specialise in XR and rehabilitation.

The programme will run for 10 months, during which the selected participant will engage in regular mentoring and coaching sessions, workshops, and activities tailored to their individual needs and goals.

On completion of a satisfactory report the selected participant will receive a certificate of achievement and a complementary ticket for the 2025 conference.