Steven Mair Becomes The UK’s First Gamer-in-Residence After Games for the Weans Campaign Raises Over £100,000
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity (GCHC), in conjunction with partners Devolver Digital and Neonhive, is delighted to appoint (the awesome) Steven Mair as its first-ever GCHC Gamer-in-Residence role at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, the first full-time role of its kind anywhere in the UK and Ireland.
The Gamer-in-Residence will aim to provide children in Scotland’s busiest children’s hospital with their Player Two (aka: ‘someone to game with’), helping them find a way to relax, reduce potential feelings of isolation and boredom, and distract them during their time in the hospital.
As well as gaming with young patients, Steven will plan gaming-themed events in the hospital, such as a launch day celebration of the popular football game EA Sports FC 25, manage the charity’s Gaming Volunteers, and continue to fundraise for new gaming equipment on the wards.
Games For The Weans
The new role – fully funded by the Scottish games industry, community organisations and gaming fundraisers – comes after recent medical studies demonstrated a link between playing video games and reduced feelings of anxiety in the hospital, with some even suggesting video games could reduce pain.
Last year, more than £100,000 was raised to help children game in hospital with the Games for the Weans campaign, including £48,500 worth of gifts in kind from Neonhive and SPARCK, and fundraising activities like the Dundee Kiltwalk, charity streaming, Scottish Games Week and the first ever Scottish Games Sale on Steam.
The service was also boosted earlier this year with a $12,000 donation from across the Atlantic with the support of American charity Child’s Play; this will be spent on hospital-adapted consoles that will replace outdated Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems, which can be more than a decade old.
Catherine Reid, mother of seven-year-old Jace, said:
Children in Jace’s ward can have long stays and intense treatment plans. This can include physical pain and a lot of new emotions. Often, parents can feel helpless at times. For my son Jace in particular, he is an experienced gamer. His blood disorder prevented him from going outside or starting school.
When the Gamer-in-Residence came round to play Mario on the Nintendo, he immediately lit up and smiled. It was an instant energy boost for him mentally and physically. In reality, I think often what kids want is some quality time and gaming with new friends.
Kirsten Watson, CEO of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said:
Thank you to everyone across the gaming community for supporting this unique initiative to help young patients from across the country game in hospital. Not only will your support fund more consoles and games for the children’s hospital, but it now also means Scotland’s young patients will always have a Player Two.
Kate Ludlow, Spec Ops of Devolver Digital, added:
We are proud to support Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity in their efforts to offer their young patients the adventures, escapism, and fun that video games provide. We look forward to continuing support for their Games for the Weans programme.”
Gamers Wanted…
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is seeking new gamers and streamers to fundraise for children in hospital. The money raised will help young patients in Glasgow game during their stay on the wards. Contact the GCHC Gamer-in-Residence steven.mair@gchc.scot for more information
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