St Anne’s Church, Oldland is reaching out to local teenagers through a new monthly Chess and Board Games Club, offering a relaxed and welcoming space for young people to spend time together on a Friday evening.
The club was set up to provide a safe, inclusive environment where teenagers can come to unwind, have fun and build friendships. While the original idea focused on chess, reflecting organiser Bruce Goodwin’s enjoyment of the game and willingness to help young people learn, the sessions have been broadened to include a range of board games so that there is something for everyone.
Around half a dozen teenagers currently attend each month, including both young people from the local community and those already connected to the church. The club meets an important need for St Anne’s own teenagers, as well as offering a welcoming point of contact for others who may not otherwise engage with church activities.
For one teenager, the club has become “one of the best things in the month”, underlining the value of providing simple, consistent spaces where young people feel safe, valued and able to relax.
St Anne’s hopes the Chess and Board Games Club will continue to grow, strengthening relationships with local teenagers and offering quiet but meaningful support through hospitality, presence and shared enjoyment.