Long gone are the days when everybody knew everybody else in their town. These days, with our busy lives and tech-heavy lifestyles, it’s unlikely that we will get to know many members of our community, which can be a real shame. After all, governmental research has revealed that factors essential for the well-being of a community are trust, the quality of the environment and whether the area has the facilities you need to be happy.
Building trust in a community can be difficult, but hosting events where everyone is welcome can be a great way to bring people together to forge real-world connections, discuss the local area and have fun while they are doing so. One way you can do this is by hosting completely accessible game nights. While there may be a little work needed, once these are set up, they can become a regular event that could help foster a real spirit of togetherness in your community.
Why game nights?
Simply put, game nights are accessible for everyone. Friendly competition, access for those with all abilities, and a lot of fun and laughter can be found at these events. Games can act as an icebreaker and help people get to know each other better. Not only this, but it can also help to build a community with different and diverse games people may never have played as they are rooted in a culture they have never experienced.
In addition, playing games with others has been shown to improve cognitive skills such as critical thinking, memory, and problem-solving, as well as reduce stress and promote relaxation. And while people can do this from their computer screen at home, sometimes it’s good to step away from the tech and meet people in real-life and play games that don’t need a screen and a mouse.
However, they must be carefully planned with attention to detail to ensure everybody feels included – from beginners to semi-pro level players.
Planning a community game night
There are various essential factors to consider when planning a community game night:
Venue
It’s best to choose a location accessible by public transport and by car and foot. Community centres, libraries, schools or large public halls can be useful here. You will need to ensure that the venue has good lighting and enough seating and tables. It also needs to be accessible for those who may need handrails or wheelchair ramps, as well as accessible toilets.
Choosing games
To bring a diverse crowd together, variety is key. Offer a wide range of traditional games from both this country and others. Classic board games such as Scrabble and Monopoly can be useful, along with epic trading card games (TCG) such as Magic: The Gathering or some of the newer offerings such as Disney’s Lorcana, for those who are tabletop gamers. Traditional card games such as Snap, puzzle games such as Mah Jong, and even physical games can also make up part of your offering.
Consider age ranges, ability levels and accessibility
It is entirely possible to get Scrabble boards with large letters and braille, and rules can be read out for those with sight loss. Simplified rules for younger players might be appropriate, too. Quiet zones might be prudent for those who prefer less stimulation.
Food and refreshments
This does not have to cost a fortune, as you can ask local businesses to get involved with your community event. Some may do so at a discount, while others may want to promote their business and may be happy to provide food at your event for free. Alternatively, you could encourage people to bring a dish to share.
Entrance fee
While there are the major national events that bring the whole country together, especially for trading card games such as the Magic: The Gathering national events, the same people also love attending local events. If you want to make your event accessible to everyone, you will need to consider the cost. It will depend on what you want to achieve from your event as to whether and how much you intend to charge for it. Consider a sliding scale or pay what you can option to ensure everybody is able to access the event. Alternatively, ask for donations to cover expenses or to give to a local charity or community fund.
Volunteers
You will need some help to get this event off the ground. Therefore, putting out a post on your local community site for volunteers, might be helpful. After all, you will need people to help with set up, registration, rule explanations and event management. This will make sure everybody has an enjoyable experience.
Promotion
You will need to make sure enough people hear about your community game night. Whether through social media, community group pages, flyers or local newspapers, it’s vital to get the message out there to make sure as many people as possible have the chance to attend.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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