Runcorn club boosts mental health with miniatures and tabletop games

The Mindful Miniatures & Tabletop Games Club in Runcorn meets weekly to use miniature painting and tabletop games to support members' mental wellbeing, and it recently ran a six-week pilot course.

The Mindful Miniatures & Tabletop Games Club meets weekly at Brookvale Community Centre in Runcorn. The group combines miniature painting and beginner-friendly tabletop games to support members' mental wellbeing through creativity and social interaction. The club started last year and has grown through word of mouth, and organisers recently ran a popular six-week pilot course. Members report positive effects from the calm atmosphere and the regularity of the meetings. Key details: - Meetings are held weekly at Brookvale Community Centre. - Around 65% of members are new to miniature painting and about 25% are returning to the hobby. - The club works with local organisations including Halton Dads, Community Shop, and Rethink Mental Health. - It has run free outreach sessions, including a miniature painting activity at a local artisan market. - Donations from firms such as Warlord Games, Epic's N Stuffs, Merlin's Miniatures and Ashen3D, plus support from the online Warhammer community, provide shared paints and tools to reduce cost barriers. - The group is part of the Warhammer Alliance and uses social media to share updates and advertise sessions. Summary: The club reports consistent positive effects on members' wellbeing and relies on community donations to keep activities accessible. Organisers are seeking further financial support through grants to help broaden the project while maintaining accessibility. Future developments depend on the outcome of that funding.