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
BreakingNews.ie
2 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Revenues slide by 30% to €25m at Irish arm of Dyson due to 'increase in market competition'
Directors at the Irish unit of Dyson mainly blame an increase in market competition for revenues sliding by 30 per cent to €25.1 million last year. New accounts by the maker of products in floorcare, hair-care, air treatment, lighting and headphones show that sales here plunged by €10.9 million from €36.09 million to €25.11 million in 2024. Advertisement As a result of revenues decreasing sharply on the island of Ireland at Dyson Ireland Ltd, pre-tax profits reduced by 21 per cent from €855,106 to €675,328. Dyson is owned by billionaire James Dyson and is best known for the invention of the bagless vacuum cleaner. The directors for the Irish unit state that 'the reduction in turnover and profit before tax is primarily due to increase in market competition'. The reduction in revenues at the Irish unit in 2024 followed a 20 per cent decline in revenues from €45.4 million to €36.09 million in 2023. Advertisement Numbers employed at the Irish arm decreased by 25 or 37 per cent from 67 to 42 in 2024, and the profits take account of restructuring costs of €163,488. Numbers in selling and distribution reduced from 59 to 37, while numbers in administration went down from eight to five. Staff costs reduced from €2.52 million to €2 million. The directors state that 'a reorganisation that occurred in the later part of the financial year led to the reduction in average headcount". Advertisement They state that this "did not have a significant financial impact to the full year performance of the company". The job losses at the company arose from the Dyson Group announcing a global review on July 9th 2024, of its structure, which put certain jobs at risk of redundancy. In the UK alone, Dyson planned to cut up to a third of its workforce there, and the proposals would ensure it was 'prepared for the future' amid what it called 'increasingly fierce and competitive global markets'. The Irish company recorded post-tax profits in 2024 of €508,781 after incurring a corporation tax charge of €166,547. Pay to directors declined sharply from €249,008 to €142,736. The profit in 2024 takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €88,253, while operating lease rentals reduced from €550,307 to €150,203. Shareholder funds at the end of 2024 stood at €8.06 million and included accumulated profits of €6.6 million. Ahead of Brexit, Mr Dyson relocated the firm's global corporate HQ from England to Singapore, and the immediate parent of the Irish entity is Dyson Home Technologies Pte Ltd. The process to relocate from the UK involved the voluntary winding up of the Dyson Weybourne Group, which had assets of £4.53 billion at the time in May 2019.
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26trim%3D221%2C0%2C2219%2C0%26crop%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
How premium logistics can power Scotland's exports
Mark Rosenberg | Supplied Ask a Scot to name their finest food and drink export and you're likely to spark a fierce debate, says Mark Rosenberg, Chief Commercial Officer, Ports & Terminals, at DP World Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Whatever their preference, everyone can agree that the sector is a phenomenal global success story. The numbers speak for themselves. Last year, Scotland's food and drink exports were valued at £7.1 billion. That's up from £4.9bn in 2014, an increase of roughly 46 per cent over the past decade. This is driven by a strong appetite for its premium produce, such as Scottish salmon which had shipments topping £844 million in 2024. More than a key contributor to the UK economy, Scotland's food and drink industry has become a global benchmark for excellence. However, despite extraordinary market growth, exporters are not immune from trade challenges. Post-Brexit border friction, fluctuating global tariffs and shifting consumer expectations have all made the operating environment increasingly volatile in recent years. The good news is that new trade opportunities are opening routes to growth at a critical moment. Most notably, the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which was signed yesterday (24 July). By cutting levies on 90 per cent of the produce from Scottish exporters - and those elsewhere in the UK - the landmark deal will transform the presence of the UK's exports in India. This is especially promising for food products like Scottish salmon, which have faced prohibitive 33 per cent tariffs. Once they are lifted, exporters will have access to the world's third-largest fish market and a middle class that is expected to grow to a quarter of a billion by 2050. Understandably, many are preparing for significant long-term expansion into the market. Logistics to power exports | Supplied Premium produce requires premium logistics While the potential for growth in both nearby and distant markets is clear, capturing these opportunities depends on the essential but less glamourous matter of logistics. Ageing infrastructure can increase costs and add complexity. Scotland has felt these constraints acutely. However, the challenges also present opportunities for strategic partnerships that can deliver far greater efficiencies across the supply chain. At DP World, we're not shy of the challenge and have invested to ensure UK exporters can seize the trade opportunities of the day. Our deep sea container ports connect exporters across the whole of the UK with overseas markets. In 2013, we opened London Gateway - the UK's first deep-water container port for more than 20 years - and have committed to its growth ever since. Just a few months ago we began work on a £1 billion expansion of its port facilities and rail infrastructure and announced a further £60 million investment in the Port of Southampton. Both will boost handling capacity and improve direct rail services, offering Scottish exporters fast, low-carbon routes to global shipping networks. As exporters hurry to capitalise on the new opportunities, undoubtedly there will be many pitfalls to navigate, whether that's complex regulatory challenges, untested consumer appetites and cultural nuance. That's where the right logistics infrastructure becomes a critical enabler. Labelling and packaging requirements, for example, vary by market and can create bottlenecks if not handled with care - something DP World supports through advanced, market-specific compliance services. Untested consumer appetites also mean shipments need to be agile, fresh and first-class. In this case facilities like The Chill Hub, our temperature-controlled warehouse at London Gateway, are indispensable for high-value perishable goods like Scottish salmon. Alongside connectivity and adaptability, exporters need flexibility. With rail or barge connectivity at 95 per cent of our 20 European sites, Scottish producers have the necessary options to move goods effectively and on schedule should congestion occur. This is an area we continue to invest in, helping to build the resilience that traders will need for the decades ahead. Scotland's food and drink exporters have a long and proud history, but with new trade agreements opening doors to major, high-growth markets like India, this feels like the start of an exciting new chapter. By strengthening the logistics networks and alliances that move goods from A to B, we can help the blue-and-white 'Made in Scotland' label find new admirers around the world. That's an opportunity we can all raise a glass to.
Press and Journal
5 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Euan McColm: Is there any hope for future of Woolmanhill Hospital?
The ongoing dereliction of Woolmanhill Hospital is grim to witness. From the outside, the building maintains its majesty but – as online film clips have shown – its interiors are crumbling. Like a metaphor for the city of Aberdeen, itself, the Woolmanhill maintains a brave face during difficult times but, behind that facade, all is not well. When the NHS moved out of the building – home to the original Aberdeen Royal Infirmary – a decade ago, there were exciting plans for its redevelopment. The A-listed building – which has been in the hands of CAF Properties since the NHS moved out – was going to become a 102-bedroom luxury resort but those proposals were ditched in 2021. Since then, according to the city council, the building's owners have been looking for new ways of bringing the building back to life. Delay in finding new purpose for Woolmanhill site The future of the Woolmanhill Hospital site has had several false dawns. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson. Fighting the instinct to be unreasonable, I can understand the reasons behind the delay. First – and nobody living in Aberdeen needs to be reminded of this – the city has changed dramatically over the past decade. As recently as 2014, Aberdeen was to be considered the jewel in the Scottish crown. During the independence referendum, then SNP leader Alex Salmond promised that North Sea oil would create a strong foundation for economic good times. A Yes vote would mean a glorious future. Now, the oil and gas industry is treated as an embarrassment by the Scottish Government, as something to be run down and forgotten. The second perfectly acceptable explanation for the delay in developing the site is the disruption caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. Life may have returned to normality since the vaccination roll out four years ago but the financial hangover of months of lockdowns lingers. Development can't be 'wished into existence' Across Scotland's cities are examples of architecture so grand, so downright spectacular, that nobody (unless they were, say, a member of the Saudi royal family) could fund their construction today. To build something comparable – in terms of materials and sheer craftsmanship – to the Woolmanhill hospital, today, would be prohibitively expensive. This being so, it's doubly sad to see the place slowly fall apart. Windows are smashed and boarded up on the derelict property. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson. Of course, reality doesn't care about the desire to see the building brought to life. If there is no viable project, then one cannot simply be wished into existence. But nor should the building remain abandoned and unloved, left to decay. If developers cannot find a solution then the government should step in. There have been calls for the place to be turned into a medical museum which certainly makes a certain kind sense. Where better to display the marvels of medicine, to tell the stories of pioneers in the field, than a grand hospital building. But, realistically, would such a museum prove to be such a smash that it justified the spending of tens of millions in its development? I have my doubts. Perhaps the answer to the question of what to do with Woolmanhill is rather less glamorous and exciting than a swanky resort. Perhaps it – and other empty buildings – hold part of the solution to our ongoing housing crisis. Is there a creative partnership to be struck between public and private sectors to bring Woolmanhill back to life? Could housing be the answer for derelict Woolmanhill Hospital? With young people priced out of the housing market in the city and across Aberdeenshire, pressure on existing housing association stock is reaching intolerable levels. Could the city council, the Scottish Government, and the developers work together to redevelop the site, turning it into flats and townhouses, ensuring a proportion fall into the category of 'affordable' and are made available to first-time buyers? Given the drop in footfall across Scotland's cities, it's difficult to see how a place the size of Woolmanhill could easily be converted into a commercial venue. What would it contain? Shops and concessions that nobody will use? Pop-up restaurants that don't last a week and bring little to the local economy? People, however, will always need somewhere to live… Graffiti adorns the outside of Woolmanhill Hospital. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson. Last week, a spokeswoman for Aberdeen City Council said that talks with CAF, headed up by property tycoon Charlie Ferrari, were 'ongoing' However, both the local authority and Mr Ferrari remain tight-lipped as to what these talks actually involve. Time truly is of the essence, here. With each passing month, the unused building falls further into disrepair. The longer the delay in taking action, the less viable redevelopment of the building will become. There is no simple answer to the question of what to do with Woolmanhill but unless one is found, and quickly, the building will end up past saving.
