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A new gaming group is starting up in Bargoed library to help children improve their maths and communication skills. 

Caerphilly Table-Top and Gamers Society is bringing their science, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM) based gaming sessions to Bargoed library for most of 2023 thanks to funding from Bargoed Town Council. 

Vik Yadh from Caerphilly Comic Con which runs the gaming initiative told Caerphilly Observer about the upcoming sessions which will take place in Bargoed library.

“I’ll teach them how to build confidence, play the game and make new friends,” he said.

The sessions are structured and focused on board games – children can bring their own – in order to develop their strategy, communication and maths skills. 

“It has a mathematical undertone,” said Vik about each session, “you’re improving their maths ability,” with one hour in particular, between 11am to 12pm, dedicated entirely to maths.

According to Vik, who has a science and business background himself, clubs like this fill a gap in the education system so that students continue to learn outside the classroom. 

“Youth clubs have kind of gone and they’re only there for specialist sectors,” he added, “where’s the educational club[s]?”

STEM clubs in particular are rare, according to Vik. “There are not many STEM clubs,” he said.

The gaming sessions have more wide-ranging benefits too, helping with communication skills. Vik said: “what you want is a youngster engaging, teamworking…working with other people,” and that can be done over a board game, role play game or card game – like Pokémon. 

The sessions are also good for parents, when children are busy at the sessions parents are able to do other things – such as take time for themselves or do their weekly shop. “It’s all community, wellbeing,” said Vik.

The activities have been funded by Bargoed Town Council and Mayor Howard Llewellyn told Caerphilly Observer about the council’s decision. 

“Our main remit…is to provide entertainment and things to enhance people’s lives,” said Cllr Llewellyn, who represents Gilfach. “We put events on generally for everyone.

“This was our chance to support an activity for younger people.”

Cllr Llewelyn described council events as a two-pronged fork, one side being events they have the funds, knowledge and ability to run, like afternoons teas and the other side events that they can fund but need to be outsourced – like this one. 

“We’re quite proud in Bargoed of the initiatives that we’ve been able to put forward,” he said, mentioning events like Harry Potter days. 

Vik is proud of what he’s achieved with STEM activities too. He currently runs gaming sessions in Caerphilly and hopes to replicate their success in the north of the county borough. 

“My ultimate goal is what we’ve done with Caerphilly,” he said, adding that since 2018 the sessions have grown from having just five attendees to nearly 30. 

“If that’s a success,” said Vik of the Bargoed sessions “then we would [aim] to [get] funding to go to [the] Rhymney area.”

Gaming sessions will run in Bargoed library every month except August. 

The first session is on January 28 from 10am to 4pm. 

People from the local area are welcome to drop in at any time and the event is completely free. 

Welsh Government’s STEM initiative 

The Welsh Government is focused on improving STEM education and training.

The Government wrote the STEM Action Plan to outline how they would improve the provision of science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for three to 19-year-olds in 2018. 

STEM is integral to the future success of Wales as the report states: “The importance of our children and young people developing (STEM) skills and knowledge at all levels is widely acknowledged. These skills are essential to the development of a prosperous and sustainable knowledge economy in Wales.”

It is believed that improving skills are important given the increasing importance of science and technology in the world, according to Wales.gov. 

Some of the efforts in Wales include encouraging more girls and women into STEM professions and the STEM Awards, which first took place in 2022. 

Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language has previously said of STEM: “The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that careers in STEM are an accessible and attractive opportunity for everyone. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are not just subjects to study at school and college, they provide solutions to the societal challenges we are facing, including tackling climate change and infectious diseases.”