🎮 Gaming Minds – 1:1 Mentoring Through Play
Gaming Minds is a 1:1 online mentoring service where neurodivergent young people connect with trained mentors through the games they already love — like Minecraft, Fortnite, Roblox, and more. Using play as a bridge, we build trust, explore emotions, and work on personal goals in a safe, child-led space.
It’s mentoring that meets young people where they feel most confident and in control - on their terms.
👥 Who It’s For
- Ages 7–25
- Neurodivergent children and young people (e.g. PDA, autism, ADHD, anxiety, trauma)
- Those struggling with school, emotional regulation, Mental Health or social shutdowns
- Young people out of education, in AP, or hard to reach through traditional mentoring
🧑💻 How It Works
- Online sessions using secure, age-appropriate platforms
- Matched mentors based on shared interests and needs
- Sessions are child-led and trauma-informed
- Parents/carers set 2 embedded goals in a pre-session consultation
- Optional check-in form every 6 sessions to track satisfaction and progress
-
🎯 Why It Works
- Gaming creates connection without pressure or eye contact
- Builds co-regulation and trust in a safe, familiar space
- Especially effective for PDA, anxiety, and school refusal profiles
- Mentors are trained in trauma, SEND, safeguarding, and neurodivergent experiences -
🧩 What We Work On
- Reducing shutdowns or outbursts
- Confidence and communication
- Exploring emotions safely through play
- Self-regulation and voice
- Peer interaction and social skills
- Reconnecting after trauma or school refusal
🔐 Safety & Flexibility
- All mentors are DBS-checked and safeguarding trained
- Sessions can be fully adapted to the child’s sensory needs
- Parents receive a consultation before starting
- Flexible scheduling for home-ed or high-anxiety families
🏛️ Used by Schools, LAs & Professionals
- Suitable for AP support, therapeutic mentoring, or EHCP-funded provision
- Optional trauma-informed session notes
- Referrals accepted from schools, LAs, CAMHS, SENCOs, or Early Help
-
🔬 Backed by Research
Gaming Minds is built on principles from trauma-informed mentoring, PDA-safe engagement, and neurodivergent-led practice:
- 91% of UK children aged 7–17 play video games regularly (Ofcom, 2024)
- 71% of neurodivergent youth say gaming helps them feel calm and in control (NAS, 2023)
- Co-regulation through play supports emotional safety (Porges, 2011; Polyvagal Theory)
- Digital mentoring re-engages school-refusing youth via autonomy and interest (Smith et al., 2021)
- Gaming helps explore identity and social safety (Gee, 2007)
💬 What Families Say
“It’s the only place my son opens up. He’s calmer and more confident every week.” — Parent of 11-year-old