Gaming Club hosts special Coding Session

Member flying a drone

At Allsorts, we are committed to creating inclusive and exciting experiences for children and young people with additional needs.

Allsorts Gaming Club which runs fortnightly at our Activity Hub, is a popular activity where participants can connect, play games and learn valuable social skills.

Recently, we were delighted to host a special coding session, thanks to a group of volunteers from a local Science, Tchnology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) network. The event was great and allowed our members to explore fun, new technology in a relaxed environment.

From virtual reality headsets to drones and robotic cars, the young gamers had the chance to try out different interactive technology.

Rod, a volunteer with the STEM group, said: “The idea is to get children familiar with technology.

“It’s a chance for the youngsters to play with things they might not be able to afford or have access to themselves.

“At a young age, this could spark an interest in STEM subjects like maths, technology and engineering.”

The virtual reality headsets allowed participants to experience different environments – from the deep sea, to the moon’s surface – while the drones provided an exciting experience as they zipped around the room.

While the coding session was a special session, Gaming Club has always been about more than just playing video games. The club provides a space for young people to socialise, form friendships and develop important skills like turn-taking.

Tom, one of our long-time volunteers, said: “We have a variety of games and consoles, and people move around and play different games.

“The idea is to get them communicating with each other and forming friendship. It’s great to see some of the children come in more excited each time and actively seek out others to play with.”

Participants can choose to play alone or team up with others for group games and competitions. For those who prefer a more laid-back experience, there’s always the option to relax on bean bags and watch others play.

Neil, whose 13-year-old son Ewan has been attending the club since 2019, said:

“Ewan loves it because he gets to see his two friends – this is the only time they really get to socialise as they go to separate schools now.

“When it’s the coding session, he loves the drones and VR, but it’s really all about the gaming for him.

“The club has also been an incredible support for us as a family, helping us navigate things like SEND school applications.”

Tracey, the lead volunteer from the STEM network, said: “Allsorts is a bit special because of the different learning styles we see here.

“It’s wonderful to watch the children light up as they engage with the technology and discover new skills.”

We look forward to welcoming more young people to Gaming Club in the future, where they can enjoy the games the love while exploring new interests like coding.

Whether it’s forming friendships, playing a new game, or learning how to fly a drone, there’s something for everyone at Gaming Club.