Wargamers putting mental health on the front line

Spalding Wargames Club chairman Martin Jackson says members are benefiting from a community that supports mental health

Members of a wargaming club say they have created a community that is "crucial" for their mental health.

Spalding Wargames Club in Lincolnshire has more than 60 members regularly playing Warhammer, Dungeons and Dragons, The Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game and other dice and toy soldier games.

The club's committee has established a scheme to support members' mental health by regularly checking in with those struggling.

"I'm absolutely certain that we have done some good for people," chairman Martin Jackson said.

Many of the games played at Spalding Wargames Club involve painted miniatures played out on detailed boards

The club was established in 2017 in Mr Jackson's shed, with just a few friends playing games, but now takes up four rooms at a church hall in the centre of the town.

"The biggest part of starting this club was to bring people together," he said.

"For me personally it's been a phenomenal outlet, as the stresses of life can get a bit much, and a lot of the members will tell you exactly the same thing."

However, the club has gone further than just hoping the gaming and socialisation would be enough to support members.

"We have a scheme called Roll With Me, a little pun on rolling dice," Mr Martin said. "The idea being if you're having a tough time you can come and speak to us.

"We then check in during the week, just so that people know that there's someone thinking about them and there's someone there for them."

Niall Denny moved to Spalding for work, and said the support the club gave was "crucial" in his move.

"Moving from Newcastle down south, I had no friends and I had no contacts here whatsoever," he said.

"Being able to come to the club and have this open atmosphere and have that connection with the community and people, it allows people to come back out of their shell.

"This informal kind of mental health support is crucial."

• Information and support for those affected by mental health can be found at the BBC's Action Line website.

Autumn Barlow moved to the area two years ago and formed quick friendships via wargames

Autumn Barlow's story is a similar one, having moved to the area two years ago and did not fancy making friends by "just going down a pub".

She said the support offered by the club was "understated, but that makes it more genuine and authentic".

"It's not an overt 'Hey come down and we can help you with your mental health', it's actually 'just come and meet people, interract, talk'.

"It's a safe place to be and people open up in their own time."

The club meets on Wednesday evenings from 19:15 BST at Vista Hall on St Nicholas Road.

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