By George Palmer-Soady
A Nottingham games hub described as a ‘lifeline’ for children with special needs has reversed plans to close after an outpouring of support.
Board game shop Dice and Balls said last month it would no longer be operating from its current unit in Arnold Market Place and instead the business would be based on attending events.
Opened by Saphia Clarke and Zoe Clarke in August 2023, the shop is full of board games, circus skills equipment, and local hand-made wooden crafts.
They hoped it would create a safe and inclusive space that tackles loneliness and welcomes children with special educational needs including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia.
Just over a year later, at the start of last month, the pair said this Christmas would be the last one for the business because of financial problems.
But on Monday (November 4), co-owner Zoe told Notts TV Dice and Balls will continue thanks to an “outpouring of support” – and they are now looking to relocate into a bigger building.
A GoFundMe online fundraiser set up by the co-owners on September 6 – which they say will help pay for the new building – has raised £1,407 as of November 4.
“When we announced the closure it was always our intention to stay open in one way or another,” co-owner Zoe said.
“But we’ve had an outpouring of support from people who came to the hub, and it made us realise Arnold needs a place like what we are offering.
“So that made us decide that we are going to see if we can find a larger place where we can do that.”
Dice and Balls operates as a community interest company (CIC) – meaning it works mainly to provide a hub for the community, rather being mainly focused on increasing profits.
The shop has become a popular spot with single parents, the elderly, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and neurodivergent children – those with extra needs.
Co-owner Saphia works in the NHS and says the idea for Dice and Balls came from seeing her kids, who have special needs, and their friends come out of their shells after playing games like Dungeons and Dragons.
No definite building has been found yet, however Zoe says they hope to move in the new year.
The current hub at Arnold market place will still close as planned at the end of January and there will be a gap between its closure and the opening of the new location.
Jo Dickons regularly visits Dice and Balls with her 16-year-old son Otis, who is neurodivergent, and described the hub as a lifeline.
“It shows the real need for what they offer,” Jo said of the company.
“It goes to show the impact isolation has on people of all ages and how important reaching out is.
“There needs to be places for people to be able to socialise and learn new skills – for Otis, it’s been a lifeline.
“He’s found his tribe at Dice and Balls where he’s not been able to for a long time. Fourteen to eighteen years old is a tricky time for young neurodivergent people and sometimes there doesn’t seem to be anywhere for them to go.
“But they’ve been really positive with Otis – they’re really warm and understanding and his confidence has been boosted by the fact he’s got somewhere he can go and just be himself.”
Zoe added the support they’ve both received for Dice and Balls has been “completely humbling”.
She added: “This was just this little idea we had 18 months ago and to have it have this effect on the community in such a short amount of time is incredible.
“It’s wonderful we have had that impact on people and that there is now a place where children can be themselves and don’t have to hide.”
