GAMES BOOST SOCIAL SKILLS

With the recent board game boom a number of cafes, bars and restaurants have hopped on the trend wagon. Shelley Kirby, owner of The Unseen Shoppe in Westville, hosts an array of themed game nights.

For Kirby, board games have been instrumental in moulding her into the person she is today. “I’m 32 going on 12 – a child at heart,” she said.

Tabletop gaming is about people, she said, “Our family grew up playing games together. Card games, dice games, board games – you name it we played it. “It was great bonding time for all of us.”

Grateful to her parents for encouraging those game nights, Kirby said it would have been “so much easier to just pop on the TV” after a long day at work.

Inspired to build a more connected community, Kirby decided to host game nights at her shop. “Being able to provide a place for people to connect and to share the joys of what this hobby has to offer,” is the best.

The shop is open seven days a week (public holidays included) and hosts an array of themed game nights. Everyone is welcome. Access to the play area and library, with hundreds of games, is free.

“Monday is Yu-Gi-Oh, Tuesday nights is role-playing, or games that people bring in. Wednesday is board games and Thursday nights are set aside for miniature war gaming where we host the Durban War Games Club for games of Warhammer (Sigmar and 40K).

“Magic the Gathering is our Friday night offering, with Pokémon card games on Saturdays. As long as there is a table, you can play,” said Kirby.

Whether you are playing Cluedo or Catan, it’s all about having fun and forming relationships with people.

“Tabletop gaming is a very inclusive activity. The dice don’t care what race, gender or orientation you identify as. The cards are the same if you’re wealthy, or sporty, or clever or cool. The board doesn’t change if you are old or young, deaf or in a wheelchair. It’s the same game for everyone,” she said.

Weekends are reserved for tournaments and card game competitions which are scheduled throughout the month.

“We also offer sessions of roleplaying games such as Pathfinder and Dungeons & Dragons and try to sneak painting days into the calendar as well.” said Kirby.

As store owner, Kirby said there have been too many special moments to count. “I’ve witnessed shy, awkward kids who couldn’t talk to people, gain the confidence to sit down at a table of strangers and teach them a new game. I’ve seen a divorced dad bond with his estranged son over card games.”

You never know who you’ll meet at game night, maybe even that someone special?

“As cheesy as it sounds, meeting the man I love has been my favourite moment. He came to our games night with mutual friends…”

“Our focus is on getting people out from behind their screens and face to face with others. Interacting with friends, family and strangers and practising the social skills you can’t learn from a computer.”