Will Golding’s Ignition Gamers initiative for neurodiverse young adults struggling with social isolation

Ignition Gamers, founded by Will Golding and his mother Claire, is a video gaming space designed specifically for young neurodiverse adults, particularly for those who struggle with isolation and social interaction. The initiative provides a unique environment where social therapy and gaming intersect, addressing a key gap left by inadequate NDIS (Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme) support. Will, who understands firsthand the challenges of social isolation, particularly within the neurodiverse community, created Ignition Gamers to provide a more supportive and consistent environment for young adults who feel disconnected after school.

The core idea behind Ignition Gamers is simple: leveraging video gaming to promote socialization, build self-regulation skills, and encourage independent living. In the past, Will had spent long hours gaming alone in his room, as he struggled with unqualified or inconsistent support workers. His solution was to create a physical space where people could come together, not just to play, but to engage face-to-face and develop crucial life skills. The gaming sessions at Ignition Gamers aim to foster teamwork, collaboration, and communication—skills that are often underdeveloped in young neurodiverse individuals due to the nature of online gaming, where facial expressions and non-verbal cues are missed.

The environment at Ignition Gamers helps participants enhance their emotional intelligence by interpreting real-time social cues, such as recognizing when someone is frustrated, sad, or happy, which is more difficult in a virtual setting. This kind of social interaction is critical for young adults transitioning from school to the wider community. Over time, many participants become more outgoing and open to new social opportunities, with some even becoming interested in going out and meeting new people beyond the gaming sessions.

The sessions also focus on building cognitive and problem-solving skills through strategy games like Dungeons & Dragons and other team-based video games. These activities help participants improve their decision-making and self-regulation abilities, providing them with a sense of accomplishment and boosting their self-esteem. The center has successfully helped several young adults regain their independence, with some even taking part in activities like going to the pub with friends—experiences that might seem simple but are highly valued for those who had previously been isolated.

Currently, Ignition Gamers has expanded its scope and now employs some of the participants who initially came for therapy, turning them into mentors and role models for new members.

Adapted from:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-14/act-video-games-ndis-service-solu...

For more information:
https://www.ignitiongamers.com.au/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5hmsN0sZFM