Workshops & Training Programmes

Hawkie delivers a diverse suite of interactive workshops, structured training programmes, and mentoring opportunities that equip professionals and young people to confidently engage with emerging and immersive technologies. These can be offered as short-form tasters or developed into long-term initiatives tailored to your organisation’s goals.

Short-Term Workshops (1.5–3 hours)

  • Gain hands-on experience with VR equipment and immersive platforms, learning the practical skills, pedagogical strategies, and safeguarding principles necessary to deliver XR-based sessions in educational or youth settings.

  • An energetic introduction to creating simple interactive games using platforms like Roblox Studio or Unity. Ideal for building digital confidence and fostering creative collaboration among young people or staff teams.

  • Explore digital art in immersive spaces using tools like Kingspray, Gravity Sketch, and OpenBrush. Participants experiment with mural creation, character modelling, and spatial storytelling in VR.

  • Understand the unique challenges and responsibilities of working in virtual environments. This session focuses on safeguarding, consent, boundaries, and moderation strategies for XR facilitators and educators.

  • Learn to build confidence and connection in virtual spaces using avatars. This workshop explores presence, communication, and group facilitation techniques when working with youth or professionals in platforms like Spatial, Engage, or Horizon Worlds.

Longer-Term Programmes (4–8 weeks or customised)

  • A practical programme that takes participants from foundational skills to designing their own interactive virtual environments. Includes co-creation methods, platform navigation, scripting basics, and publishing worlds in platforms like Rec Room or Horizon Worlds.

  • Comprehensive CPD training to future-proof your team. Sessions cover XR pedagogy, device and platform management, accessibility, creative tech integration, and programme co-design with young people.

  • A modular programme supporting creative self-expression through digital tools. Includes AI-generated imagery, storytelling, and immersive media techniques designed to be inclusive of neurodivergent and marginalised learners.

  • One-to-one and group mentoring that builds confidence, technical fluency, and creative capacity with emerging technologies. Tailored support is provided for educators, facilitators, and young people working on specific goals, projects, or career transitions.

  • Support young people to explore digital careers and creative industries through targeted coaching, XR-supported skills development, and placement pathways. Ideal for youth organisations and education providers aiming to bridge the digital divide.

All sessions are customisable, accessible, and available in-person, virtual (VR) online, or hybrid. Equipment provision, onboarding, and post-training support are available for partners.

Client Roster

  • Barry is a passionate advocate for using VR to empower young people. His deep knowledge, client-focused approach, and future-facing insight make him a supportive and inspiring collaborator.

    Digital Youth Work Lead, UK

  • HoloGen provided expert guidance throughout my EdTech startup journey, from product validation using VR to building our MVP with AI-driven role-play tools. Barry's rare blend of creativity and technical insight made him an invaluable partner

    EdTech Founder, UK/Ireland

  • Working with Barry has been a total privilege. His depth of knowledge of how VR can be applied to social care and other settings is extremely comprehensive. He has guided us through every step of the process of setting up a VR project. He has a real understanding of both youth work and immersive technologies and his passion for the work is infectious.

    EPIC Ireland

  • Barry and his colleagues designed a simple and practical working model to bring my business into the VR marketplace. Now I can say “obviously VR will impact on all our lives just as e-commerce has done over the past 30-years.” Having a ‘Virtual Reality’ presence is essential, HoloGen indispensable.

    The Dog Internet, Ireland

  • Barry delivered 4 online sessions introducing us to VR opportunities. He also created Cities of Learning space on AltSpace and facilitated 3 VR sessions with our participants. Barry is a VR learning and training expert.

    Cities of Learning Project Lithuania

  • Barry is a creative force at the intersection of people and technology. A true ideas machine with a rare depth of care and insight.

    Founder, Creative & Immersive Lead, Ireland

  • Barry is a wealth of knowledge in the realm of virtual reality, and how it relates with youth programming. Through his guidance, we’ve been able to develop a VR model for afterschool programs across the globe, which includes ongoing professional development for educators, youth-focused activities, and the global distribution of 400 Meta Quest 2s across 19 countries.

    Technology Clubhouse Manager, USA

Ready to change the way you work with tech?