
Glasgow arcade fights anxiety with calm games and quiet sessions
During those times, video games are made quieter, some of the flickering screens are turned off, and the arcade's capacity is reduced from 16 people to 10.
The sessions were designed as safe spaces for people who have issues with auditory and visual overstimulation, such as neurodivergent people, and anyone else who would like to enjoy video games in a calmer environment.
READ MORE: Nigel Farage has brought 'racism and hatred' to by-election, says John Swinney
Andrew Lindsay-Faulkner, 39, is the company director of R-CADE Ltd. He started the business in 2018.
'The first year that we opened, we realised that there were a lot of carers and mentors that were coming down, and they wanted to bring down their mentees and the people they look after,' he said.
'We started doing quiet sessions so that they would have their space to themselves.'
First located in a smaller unit, R-CADE expanded to a larger space in 2022. Home to more than 2300 video games, the store is now part arcade, part board game café.
Yet recent years have been tough for the company. Rising energy costs, rent rates, and government taxes, as well as the ramifications of Brexit and the pandemic on the cost of imported goods, have limited R-CADE's spending budget.
'We've had a tough couple of years, just sort of trying to survive,' said Lindsay-Faulkner.
But managing to host inclusive, soothing gaming sessions continues to be important for the director.
'I don't think that it's ever going to be unnecessary,' he said. 'There's always going to be people who need that space. I'm just happy that we can provide it.'
Lindsay-Faulkner's (below) own experience with anxiety also influenced his decision to create quiet gaming sessions.
'I've had anxiety in the past. I know that feeling well, and I never want anybody to actually feel that sort of pressure,' he said.
The number of people in Scotland who experience two or more symptoms of anxiety has been on the rise, from 9% in 2008 to 17% in 2022, according to the 2022 Scottish Health Survey.
Anxiety can also be related to experiencing sensory overload and feeling overwhelmed, according to the NHS.
Lindsay-Faulkner is aware that video games provide a needed break from stress and worry for many people.
'We're so disillusioned with the world around us currently, and we have a need to escape that. I feel like video games – and not just video games, whatever your passion is – is the best way to get away from the things that we have to deal with,' he said.
'A lot of people on the spectrum actually adore video games. It's a really good focus point for them. It's something that they can talk about for hours and hours and not feel judged, which I think is incredible,' he added.
Many different people have come to the quiet sessions, some of them for years. The space is visited by people with anxiety, attention deficit disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and people who have issues with claustrophobic spaces. Any carers who accompany them can come for free.
'It's nice for them to experience the games together. Being able to offer that to people who work for some amazing charities is something that we can give back,' Lindsay-Faulkner said.
Summers are usually one of the busiest times of the year for the arcade, as families are more available to come during the week. This coming autumn, the company hopes to be able to launch a new expansion.
'If we were to get a bigger space, then I would love to have a dedicated area that would be constantly for people on the spectrum, people who have issues with overstimulation,' he said. 'Having a permanent area that we could put aside would be phenomenal.'
R-CADE is not the only business in Glasgow which offers these quiet spaces, according to Lindsay-Faulkner.
'It's a big part of the alternative community or anybody that's into geek culture, like comic books, video games, board games, or just collectibles. Our businesses are very in tune with people who have issues with overstimulation,' he said.
'I feel like more businesses should be like that as well.'
As a long-time collector and lover of video games, Lindsay-Faulkner is clearly proud of the space and the community he has built over the years.
'My favourite thing is probably watching people walk into R-CADE for the first time and the look of wonder in their eyes when they look around,' he said.
'It's all about community, at the end of the day. A lot of people ask me, 'has it not ruined video games for you? Has making it your passion, your entire life, not ruined it?'
'No, not at all! As long as I remember why I'm doing it, then it's all good,' he said.
R-CADE is open Thursday to Friday from 12pm to 10pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 7pm. Their Quiet Time Sessions are on Thursdays at 12pm and 1:10pm, and are bookable on their website

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Herald Scotland
8 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Bus firm owned by former Rangers directors doubles profits
We revealed this week that McGill's, the 'largest independent bus firm in the UK', posted that the earnings rise was partly down to acquisitions. James and Sandy Easdale. (Image: Jeff Holmes/JSHPIX) The Greenock-based firm owned by billionaire brothers Sandy and James Easdale put forward results covering a 'wide and diverse portfolio'. The firm said: 'McGill's Bus Group is Britain's largest independently owned bus company and a pioneer in fleet decarbonisation, with over 110 zero emission electric buses.' Read the full exclusive story here ANALYSIS 📈 Why the case for a 'Scottish visa' just got stronger Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is sticking to his red lines on Brexit. (Image: PA) At times like these the dogmatic nature of politics must really frustrate people in business. While Sir Keir Starmer sticks to his Government's red lines on Europe – meaning there will be no return to the single market, no re-joining the customs union and no freedom of movement under his watch – the UK's economic prospects will continue to be constrained. This includes in Scotland, which of course voted resoundingly to remain in the European Union in the referendum of 2016, and has been living with the consequences since. But how long can the current state of affairs continue? Starmer has so far resisted calls from the Scottish Government to introduce a "Scottish visa" to help the country deal with the labour shortages it faces, but the issue is simply not going away. Read Scott Wright's analysis here SERIES: THE BARRAS REBORN 🍽️ How The Barras stealthily became Glasgow's most exciting foodie destination The Barras has slowly but surely evolved into one of the city's most exciting foodie destinations. (Image: Newsquest) Whelks, mussels and white sugar-coated doughnuts might well be what first come to mind when you picture food from The Barras Market in Glasgow. None of the above is wrong, with the Loch Fyne Shellfish Bar on London Road celebrating 65 years in business and Danny's Donuts still firing up their fryers every weekend. But elsewhere, thanks to a team who have invested time and effort into curating a line-up of street food vendors unlike any other, The Barras has slowly but surely evolved into one of the city's most exciting foodie destinations. As part of our Barras Reborn series, The Herald sat down with market manager Chris Butler to discuss the influx of independent culinary talent now based in the East End and how this contributes to the shifting identity of a 104-year-old cultural landmark. Read Sarah Campbell's article here AROUND THE GREENS ⛳ Coming soon to a club near you: Golf vending machines A mock-up of what the proposed vending machines might look like (Image: Newsquest) This article appears as part of Kristy Dorsey's Around the Greens series Officials at discount retailer Affordable Golf are sizing up plans to roll out vending machines at clubs across Scotland selling items such as balls and gloves to players who might otherwise be caught short.


Scotsman
12 hours ago
- Scotsman
Edinburgh LGBT+ friendly shop, cafe and art space Kafe Kweer announces its closure
The owners of Edinburgh LGBT+ friendly shop, cafe and art space Kafe Kweer have announces its closure. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Viewforth venue opened in 2020 just as the earth-shattering Covid pandemic hit the world, forcing businesses to close their door and people to stay at home. Owners of the Gilmore Place cafe at St Peter's Buildings, Oskar and Zak, made the announcement on social media, with Kafe Kweer set to close on September 1 when the current lease ends. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They said: 'Our lease ends on 1st September, and with this we have made the tough decision to shut our doors after five incredible years on that date. We do this entirely on our own terms, recognising a coinciding shift in our personal lives, creative goals, rising costs, and beyond. 'Kafe Kweer started as a manic project at the height of lockdown, after we saw a Facebook post advertising a small shop looking for new management. Everything was so uncertain at this time that we decided to just GO for it, with zero expectations and lots of risk. 'We thought we'd be lucky to last a year. And here we are exactly five years later, despite Covid, Brexit, cost of living crises, and being located in a quiet part of town.' Kafe Kweer in Edinburgh's Viewforth area will close for good on September 1. | Google Maps Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The pair vowed to carry on providing a safe space for LGBT+ people to enjoy themselves. They said: 'Despite closing our physical space, we aim to keep using our platform and network to host some of our social events in other spaces, helping queer people find connection amidst this hostile world, and spreading the news about other local queer events/resources. 'The ethos and mission of what Kafe Kweer is about is more than one single shop could ever do, and we plan on continuing to be a hub for Edinburgh's queer community in one way or the other! 'We close our doors in September with our heads held high and our hearts very full with the love you've given us over the years. We know this'll be sad news for many, and it's a sad decision for us, but we believe in doing what we've always done: adapting and evolving.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Adding: 'We'd ask that you all come see us this August for our last month open. We'll be selling a lot of our stock at bargain prices , hosting Fringe shows every afternoon, and probably crying a lot. This is only the beginning. Queer joy forever.' Customers were quick to send their love and thanks to the cafe owners on social media in response to the closure announcement. Polly Edwards said: 'You have done spectacularly, incredibly well and been such a massive life-changing force for good for so many folks here, me included. Five years!! That's amazing! Hold those heads even higher cause you're a bunch of heroes in my book.' Cooper King added: 'We love you so much!! This space was one of the first in the community I came to after moving to this country, and gave me essential room to meet the queer community and grow as my own person. thank you for hosting us for poetry evenings, Lavender Menace meetings, and social gatherings. So sad to hear about your closing but I'm thankful to have had the time with Kafe Kweer!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And, Fin Buchan said: 'So sad to see you guys closing. I've visited quite a lot of times over the years and remember coming in with my partner at the time just after you opened back in 2020. 'I would only have been 17 then, and seeing a space like this changed everything for me. It made me realise community was still out there. Thank you for all you've done for everyone who's come through your doors.'


Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Custard seized from shop's lorries in raids thanks to ‘bonkers EU red tape rules'
The European Commission pointed the finger of blame at the UK TAKEN INTO CUSTARDY Custard seized from shop's lorries in raids thanks to 'bonkers EU red tape rules' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUPERMARKET lorries were raided and any custard on board seized because of bonkers EU red tape rules, an MP has revealed. Critics blasted the heavy-handed tactics - which they said left some shops in Northern Ireland suffering food shortages. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up DUP MP Sammy Wilson revealed that trade chiefs in Brussels ordered the shock raids earlier this month. He told a debate in Parliament: 'One of the big supermarkets had custard in its supply chain, and the EU bureaucrats decided that this custard must be hunted down. 'Lorries with mixed loads were stopped and searched. 'The offending custard was hunted down, discovered and exposed. 'That delayed the lorries, which did not reach the depot in time, so their goods could not be broken down and distributed to the various shops.' Lorries carrying food to supermarkets were delayed because of the raids - leading to a shortage in some shops, he said. The EU ordered the lorry raids after deciding at the last minute that they wanted all custard in NI to be labelled with stickers saying 'not for sale in the EU' to prevent it getting into the Republic of Ireland. The labels were not expected to be introduced until a later date. Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Mr Wilson said the raids show just how barmy the post Brexit trade arrangements with the EU are. He fumed: 'It is ludicrous.' The European Commission pointed the finger of blame at the UK, saying: 'The authorities of the United Kingdom are responsible for implementing and applying the Windsor Framework provisions in Northern Ireland. I'm an M&S fanatic and the custard creams are 15 out of 10 and it's cheaper to shop there than Aldi "This includes the implementation of the agri-food arrangements.' A Government spokesman said: 'It is untrue to claim that EU officials conduct 'raids' in the UK. All checks in the UK are conducted by UK officials. 'There is no custard ban in Northern Ireland, as you can see from the custard on shelves across the country.'