Board game enthusiasts are discovering a welcoming new venue for their hobby at East Cheshire Hospice, where monthly gatherings are helping to build community connections in a unique setting. The Sunflower Living Well Centre opens its doors to players of all ages and backgrounds, creating a social hub that extends far beyond the charity's core services.
A Social Initiative for Everyone
These board game sessions represent an innovative approach to community engagement for the hospice. While not officially organised as hospice events, they perfectly demonstrate how the charity encourages local groups to utilise their facilities during off-peak hours when not needed for day care patients. This creative use of space benefits both the community and the organisation.
Regular Gaming Sessions
The hospice hosts two regular gaming meetups each month. Adult players gather at 6.30pm on the third Thursday, while family-friendly sessions take place from 2pm on the first Saturday. Organiser Bridget Fenwick emphasises the inclusive nature of the events: "It's about having fun. The games aren't complicated and there's always someone who's played them before so knows the rules."
Fenwick continues: "It's a way of interacting socially, playing games and maybe chatting without being distracted. We usually start with a game we can all play together and then split into groups depending on numbers. If we can get even more people involved that would be great."
Personal Connections and Discoveries
For many participants, these gatherings have become more than just game nights. Laura Pope, an unpaid carer, found the experience eye-opening: "I didn't know there were so many board games. I only knew classics like Monopoly and Cluedo. Coming here opened my eyes and I love it."
"It lets me try new games, some of them I've bought and play at home," she adds. "Games aren't cheap and this is a way of finding out if you like them. It brings the community together and we have a laugh for a few hours." Laura's late father Simon, who was 64 and had Motor Neurone Disease, previously accessed the Hospice @Home services.
Multiple Gaming Communities
Interestingly, the hospice isn't the only venue hosting board game enthusiasts in the area. A separate group also meets regularly at the Queen's Hotel in Macclesfield, indicating a growing interest in tabletop gaming within the local community.
Supporting the Hospice Mission
While participation requires no connection to the charity, players are invited to make small voluntary donations to help cover the hospice's heating, lighting, and refreshment costs. This arrangement allows the community to enjoy the space while contributing to the organisation's ongoing work.
Tony Hine, who attends with his son Ben, discovered the sessions through a poster at The Hodgepodge Wizard games and hobby store in Macclesfield's indoor market. As someone whose late grandfather Norman Wilcox received care from the hospice, Tony initially found the experience unusual but ultimately positive: "It was strange coming back at first but it's good to make use of an empty room with any funds going to the Hospice." Tony runs childrensfootball.com, an online sports equipment retailer.
Expert Guidance Available
For newcomers overwhelmed by the vast array of modern board games available, the sessions offer valuable guidance. Carol Frain, a hospice employee who owns approximately 200 board games, shares her expertise with participants. "My current favourites are Azul and Sagrada," she reveals. "When you see amazing boxes with beautiful artwork in board game shops and don't know where to start it can be overwhelming, but this way you can find out what they're like."
These monthly gatherings demonstrate how community spaces can serve multiple purposes, bringing people together through shared interests while supporting charitable organisations. The board game nights at East Cheshire Hospice have successfully created a welcoming environment where social connections flourish alongside strategic gameplay.
