Late November the VVU visited Maldon Community Gaming Initiative, a group set up with VVU funding to provide a safe space for young people to connect and share a love of gaming.
The CGI runs weekly in Maldon and fortnightly in Burnham. The clubs were set up in response to young people’s request, through the VVU Listening Project, for more safe places to hang out and trusted adults to support them. The rural nature of Maldon means it can be challenging for young people to travel around the county to access youth groups, so the Community Gaming Initiative has been a great success.
Young people attend the clubs to not only play and interact with the latest games and consoles but to make friends, take part in craft and creative sessions and also learn valuable life skills. The clubs in Maldon and Burnham are regularly reaching more than 50 individual young people.
When we attended the group in Maldon on a Friday evening, young people were making use of the three rooms at the centre – one for electronic gaming and the other two rooms had craft, relaxation and stress toys and game, with places for the young people to sit and chat.
One young person told us how much they love attending the club. “I struggled with making friends and closed myself off after we moved house, but the community gaming initiative has helped me get out of the house, it has built my confidence and helped me make new friends.”
There was a really nice, friendly atmosphere at the club with everyone smiling and enjoying themselves on a cold November evening.
Young people having access to positive activities with trusted adults is a key protective factor against young people experiencing violence.