A NEW community club, Guild of Gaming, is set to open its doors at Noblehill Community Centre on Saturday January 11.
The not-for-profit organisation, founded by local teacher Danny Bennet, aims to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for young people and adults to explore the exciting world of tabletop gaming.
Thanks to Lottery funding, Guild of Gaming is able to offer free membership, ensuring accessibility for all. This funding has been instrumental in covering venue hire, gaming resources, and hobby supplies, creating an outstanding space for the community to connect and engage.
The club’s mission is to tackle social isolation, promote inclusivity, and inspire creativity through hobbies such as Warhammer, Dungeons and Dragons, and a wide range of board and card games.
Guild of Gaming also supports youth development by encouraging Duke of Edinburgh Award participants to join. Tabletop wargaming can meet the requirements of the Skills section, while volunteering at the club helps fulfil the volunteering section of the award.
Founder Danny Bennet, who has been using tabletop gaming as a teaching tool for the past five years, said: “Through my work with care-experienced young people, I’ve seen how these hobbies can foster creativity, build confidence, and create meaningful connections.
“Guild of Gaming brings this ethos to the wider community, and I’m thrilled to welcome Dumfries and Galloway residents to our club.”
The club also boasts state-of-theart resources, including 12 fully equipped gaming tables with UKTC/ WTC-standard painted terrain, a 3D printer for community use, and a fully stocked hobby station with over 300 paints and tools. Several Dumfries Gamers members have stepped up as committee members and volunteers, supporting the club’s goal to foster collaboration and inclusion.
As a member of Youth Scotland, Guild of Gaming is committed to providing a safe environment for all members. All volunteers are PVGchecked, and under-15s must be accompanied by a parent or carer. n Guild of Gaming’s open day will run from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday January 11 and will showcase everything the club has to offer.
Highlights include: gaming demonstrations, a hobby station, board games galore, community showcase and youth opportunities. Follow Guild of Gaming on Facebook for updates, competitions, and ongoing activities.
