Hello, SavePoint here! We are a gaming community in South Wales, Caerphilly, hosting events for the local communities with the aim to tackle social isolation and bring like-minded people together. We primarily play video games but also involve board and card games too.
To see upcoming events find us on Facebook, or scroll to the bottom to read about volunteering opportunities. Otherwise read on to discover further how we first started and what we are about.
In the beginning…
It all started with several of us around a table on a 12-week enterprise course learning how to start a business, and had to create something by the end of it. Several ideas were thrown about, but nothing seemed to have much energy behind it.
We talked a lot about gaming; what we played, who with, and debated whether the Xbox or Playstation is the better platform. With the common theme of gaming between us we realised the lack of provisions in our local community for gamers like us, nowhere to meet others or socialise, and so the idea to create that space ourselves sparked. Thus SavePoint was born!
The first event…
We planned out an event. The venue was booked, posters were made, and job roles were put in place. On the day of the event we had consoles with a variety of games, planned a small tournament, and set up a few tables for card and board games. The doors opened.
We were astonished as people walked through the doors and played consoles and card games with each other. A few brave souls picked up the Band Hero microphone and sang. Kudos to you guys.
After the event we realised this is it, SavePoint is what we need to create a fun, friendly, and sociable place for gamers of the community.
Fast forwarding…
Two years on and here we are still, determined to tackle social isolation and provide an engaging space in our local community for gamers. We have also been working with community groups and partnered up with education enterprises to run workshops for digital skills such as coding, website development, and teamwork through gaming (to name a few).
Some SavePoint team members have since moved on to university in Game Art & Design, got jobs in IT, or are working on some cool VR projects.
For myself personally, SavePoint has given me a future I never thought I could accomplish. Before the 12-week enterprise course that started it all, I didn’t have much confidence nor thought I had the brain power to do anything. Yet here I am today running game events, teaching workshops, and learning code. – Sarah, SavePoint Director
The joy on peoples faces when they play, the enthusiasm of the community, and the friendships people create through gaming reminds us why we do this. We don’t run SavePoint for us, we do it for them: the community.
We encourage anyone with a passion for gaming and technology to join us as we create a positive outlook on social gaming and up-skill the community in technology. Whether it be running or organising an event, teaching a workshop in digital skills, or helping us with marketing, whatever you want to do, message us at info@savepointwales.co.uk or you can find us on social media. It has been a heck of a journey for both SavePoint and the team in such a short amount of time, and we look forward to what lies ahead of us as we expand our brand.
You can also contact SavePoint Gaming on the Welsh Gaming Network Discord as SavePointGaming#2479
Was fully welcomed today after and inspite of accidentally busting the door open look forward to bringing my boys along with me to join this community it’s great what you are doing guys x