Why Prenuptial Agreements are increasing A Prenuptial Agreement, better known as a Prenup, is a legal agreement between two people before marriage. Amongst oth...
Pierce Business Advisory & Accountancy Group
It’s been almost a month down the line since inviting Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde coast businesses to the first RKMS network event. The morning which took place...
RKMS
NORI HR focuses on growth by expanding our team. In 2023, we have made key appointments and promotions, focusing our growth plans through investment in our work...
NORI HR & Employment Law
You may be a small business but you’d be amazed by how much you’re already doing with regard to environmental and social responsibility. We've devised an inte...
In today's digital age, cyber security has become an essential part of every business. With cyber-attacks becoming more sophisticated, it is imperative for comp...
Seriun
Vehicle breakdowns are inevitable. No preventive maintenance programme is foolproof, and problems can and do occur when your drivers are on the road. Having a r...
Fleetmaxx Solutions
“They give you the confidence to go forward.”
How one Blackpool entrepreneur’s pop-up gaming community interest company is helping to bring people and businesses together post-pandemic.
Becky Doran Brown loves board and role playing games, but during COVID she discovered a whole new side to her passion. “I have a teenage son and during COVID we found gaming was a really valid tool for keeping communication open,” she explains. “Gaming allowed us to be together, to connect and have a good time on an equal playing field.”
The pandemic may be receding, but Becky realised the wider benefits gaming could offer to the community. “Individually, gaming helps develop communication, comprehension and social skills. Role playing games [such as Dungeons & Dragons] boost creativity and storytelling. These are such valuable tools throughout life.
“Gaming offers a space for adults to be together and have fun in a way that doesn’t revolve around football or the pub. There’s so much poverty and loneliness in Blackpool. Gaming provides a temporary escape from that. It’s such a welcoming community with games for everyone at any level. It helps build relationships while supporting individual mental health and wellbeing.”
Creating Nerdvana
Becky launched Nerdvana North West1, a community interest company which hosts pop-up gaming events across Blackpool and the Fylde. In addition to benefiting the growing community of gamers, the initiative also benefits the venues that host games evenings. “We provide the games sessions while the venues are able to make money on the food and drinks the gamers buy while there. There’s real mutual benefit.”
Games evenings have become regular events at Upside Down2 and Paradise Coast3 in Blackpool, and there are events planned at The Office4 in St Annes too. “People are welcome to come along with their friends or they can come along on their own and just join a table. The moment they do, they’ll have already made four or five new connections,” says Becky. “They can bring their own games but they don’t have to. They can just turn up and play ours.”
Making fantasy a business reality
Nerdvana became a reality when Becky spoke to Blackpool Unlimited.
“Blackpool Unlimited was recommended to me by quite a few people. I knew what I wanted to do with Nerdvana but I wasn’t sure how to get it off the ground. Through Blackpool Unlimited I was able to take part in the Rebel Business School at the Winter Gardens.
“They really push you to get moving. I think without them I’d still be designing the website. With their help, I was able to get the website built and our first night booked. They showed me how to get your business started without spending any money and how to take advantage of social media. That’s all something I definitely would have procrastinated about otherwise.
“We’ve been increasing our numbers since then – we have a long way to go but we’re always looking to work with new venues on the coast, even for a one-off event to test the concept. If you run a venue and would like to drive more business while supporting your community, please get in touch!”
The confidence to go forward
Nerdvana may be up, running and growing, but Becky’s relationship with Blackpool Unlimited continues. “I’ll be taking part in a Blackpool Business Forum run by Blackpool Unlimited soon, and I’ll definitely be going back to them for advice about tax to make sure I'm doing that right. I also want to look at putting some funding bids together and I’m sure I’ll be asking them for some support and advice there too.
“If you’re used to working for someone else you get used to being told what to do,” Becky says. “They write the book and you follow it. When you’re writing the book yourself it can be a bit scary. Blackpool Unlimited is invaluable for helping you get started. They give you the confidence to go forward.”
Powering up
“I genuinely believe gaming has the power to help people,” Becky stresses. “It gives people joy. It makes you feel good – I think we all need some of that.”
And what would Becky recommend as a great starter game? “Muffin Time's a good one for building your understanding of basic game mechanics, and it’s really, really good fun. Unstable Unicorns is another really good, family-based one. Come along and give them a try.”
Free business support and advice, get in touch with Blackpool Unlimited today
References:
1. Nerdvana North West
2. Upside Down
3. Paradise Coast
4. The Office
Whether you are in the early stages and just seeking information or you have been considering adoption for a while, joining us at one of our online information...
Caritas Care
The Konsortia Partnership are groups of local, professional small and medium-sized (SME’s) businesses in property and construction based in Manchester and Prest...
The Konsortia Partnership
OverviewThis webinar aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the public sector buying process, with a specific focus on governance pr...
Tender Response Limited
Attending a Fostering information event is a great place to start if you want to learn about the process of becoming a foster carer.We understand that making th...
Caritas Care
OverviewThis webinar aims to provide valuable insights into debt recovery strategies and best practices for securing timely payments on public sector contracts....
Tender Response Limited
OverviewTo equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively address social value, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainabilit...
Tender Response Limited