Max Appeal Online Gaming Sessions
Are you a male over 18 ?
Do you own an Xbox/Playstation/PC ?
Do you play Modern Warfare 2 ?
Do you have 22q ?
If you can answer yes to all the above then you are invited to join Max Appeal’s online gaming sessions, these sessions are usually held on a Monday and Friday evening and are hosted by a small team of dads, through gaming we aim to provide a safe space to create friendships amongst our 22q community.
Our sessions first started during the Covid lockdown and continues to go from strength to strength, through gaming we have been able to create friendship groups, provide support and encouragement, we currently have space to expand our group, if you are interested or know someone that might benefit from joining other gaming enthusiasts then please email mark@maxappeal.org.uk for further details.
Please note all participants will need to agree to our online code of conduct and have access to a microphone.
Testimonies
Parents View
Our son was to shy, nervous, anxious to meet up or chat to anyone. Since joining the gaming nights he has come out of his shell, he will chat to the lads in the group about issues and they all help each other. We think it has boasted his confidence, given him good friends. He would now happily meet at in person events. The gaming nights have given him confidence and really helped him to improve his conversation skills.
Gamers View
I was nervous when I first joined but the more I went on the less nervous I got, It has helped me cope with lockdown during covid and has given me more confidence. We all have a bit of banter and talk about different things.
Volunteers View
During a Zoom night in the pandemic, Mark asked has anyone got a PlayStation. I replied, "well my sons left one here I just use it as a DVD player". He said, "Dust it off and get a copy of Call of duty I've got an idea". And that was the start of the Dads and Lads gaming nights.
I was rubbish when we started out but the Lads enjoyed teaching those of us Dads who had no clue what we were doing and gradually we got the hang of it.
The gaming nights allow the group to chat about mainly light hearted subjects which in itself provides an escape from the worries of day to day life, but also sometimes to talk through issues and anxieties with the shared knowledge and experience of the group.
We've made strong friendships that have led to face to face meetups at events such as 22q at the zoo, Max Appeal camp and Scarborough beach day.