I AM A BOARD GAME ENTHUSIAST

Hello everyone! I’m Sofia Lim and am a 16 year old board game enthusiast. I collect over hundreds of boardgames, both classic and contemporary boardgames. I particularly enjoy boardgames with a historical and cultural element, because they teach us so much about where we come from, and what we are.The best part is that we have so much fun playing boardgames.

Please visit my website, a personal journey of my thoughts and reviews of boardgames. https://www.boardgameinitiative.com/

MY PERSONAL STORY

My grandfather suffers from dementia and it is very disheartening to see him not know what is going around him. I made bespoke memory cards for him, and realise that he benefits from playing games and doing simple puzzles which keep his mind active.

I promote board games in my school, Benenden School with my Board Game Society and increase the awareness of the joy of playing board games as well as their benefits. I helped build up a board game library in each of the boarding houses by distributing board games to houses in my school for students to have easy access to them and play board games at times that are suitable and convenient to them.

Board Game Society’s activities are well supported by the school and many students in the boarding houses help organize, coordinate and keep track of the time spent and popularity of board games.

The students who have worked with me in spearheading this initiative are:

1. Sophie Chan

I started doing board game fundraising for Dementia UK this term with my friends. I thought that it would be a great opportunity to be involved in charity work and bond with different year groups across the school. I knew about the effort/work Dementia UK put into last year and found it extremely meaningful that we could contribute to this community through playing board games. This not only allowed me to talk to more people, it also increased the general awareness of dementia in school (especially to the lower years that did not have any prior knowledge).

2. Abbie Smith

3. Athalya Yap

Participating in Raise your game for Dementia UK has been a very meaningful activity. My friends and I take time off personal devices and instead spend quality time bonding with juniors from school, all while raising awareness and money so that more support can be given to families facing dementia.

4. Arianna Gbemudu

My name is Arianna Gbemudu, and i’m taking part in the board game fundraising for dementia UK, because Dementia affects multiple lives around the world, and I believe that playing board games is both a simple and effective way to raise money going to this cause. Playing board games, is also a good and easy way to connect and socialise with people and to be active, so the fact that the money that is accumulated during the duration of the game is for a good cause, makes playing much more worthwhile. Playing board games is also very helpful, as it keeps our young minds active, which means that this method of fundraising is very beneficial.

5. Sabrina Chan

Raising awareness of dementia among the younger generation is very important, not only for the sake of the elderly but also for the future generation. As a young person whose own grandparents have been affected by dementia, I have witnessed firsthand the emotional toll it can take on individuals and families. Through educating the younger generation about dementia, we can foster a better understanding and support for those living with this condition and encourage the younger generation to build a better relationship with their family whilst they have the opportunity.

6. Aure Sun

While staying away from electronic products, it is very relaxing to spend time playing board games with friends. You just need to enjoy the board game you play and have fun with the people around you. Every time I play board games, I feel that it is not difficult to communicate with people, because it is a very inclusive game that everyone can join. I'm glad that I can help Dementia UK by playing board games with my friends. I hope we can help dementia patients and their families and friends by using every minute and hour we played!

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Board game activities benefit everyone, especially students, the elderly and young children through social and face to face interaction as it provides mental stimulation to everyone from the young to the old. Board games are excellent ice-breakers, bring joy and laughter and promote mental wellness for all, with less screen time and more face time.

Additionally, board games promote social relationships, provide engaging and stimulating activities and help people de-stress. Happy memories from playing these board games provide strong emotional support for people when they are feeling depressed or down. Board games also keep the elderly (including those suffering from dementia) mentally active, reduce loneliness and feelings of isolation and help in memory retention. My experience with my grandfather reinforces my belief that simple boardgames help people who suffer from dementia and brings some joy to their lives. The health and mental benefits of playing board games are widely known and can simply be found by a google search. Some of the resources where this information can be found are:

https://eastleighcarehomes.co.uk/blog/10-board-games-you-can-play-with-dementia-patients/

https://www.happierhuman.com/benefits-board-games/

RAISE YOUR GAME TO DEMENTIA UK!

The Benenden Board Games Society is currently carrying out fund-raising for Dementia UK through board game activities in Benenden School. Dementia UK is a UK-registered Charity which provides nursing support services and advice for anyone affected by dementia. Their website with further information is as follows:

https://www.dementiauk.org

Dementia UK is a very worthy charitable cause, and the Board Games Society aims to do fund-raising by requesting parents, supporters and friends to contribute and donate to it. This can be done by pledging any amount you are comfortable with which will be paid through the JustGiving platform to Dementia UK which has registered with that platform. Based on your support, Benenden students will play board games and record the time they spend playing board games and we aim to reach a total of 10,000 minutes by 31 December 2023.

With the help of other students, I will publish updates of board games activities supported by your support to keep you informed of this initiative to raise funds for Dementia UK.

I will publish a regular update on amounts donated and time spent by students playing board games. I hope that you will be able to support Dementia UK and board game activities by our students.

Thank you very much for reading this and for any kind contributions which you make!

Sofia Lim

Founder

Benenden School Board Games Society