Playing board games is helping bring the community into East Cheshire Hospice.
All ages test their skill and luck during monthly gatherings at the Sunflower Living Well Centre.
Everyone can take part, even with no connection to the Hospice.
The games are not a Hospice event, though it is a good example of how the charity wants community groups to use facilities off peak when not required for day care patients.
Board game enthusiasts (from left, back) Ben and Tony Hine, Carol Frain, Steve Dewar and Louise Ball. Seated, Angela O’Mahony, Bridget Fenwick and Laura Pope.
Adult players meet at 6.30 pm on the third Thursday of the month with families playing from 2 pm on the first Saturday.
Organiser Bridget Fenwick said: “It’s about having fun. The games aren’t complicated and there’s always someone who’s played them before so knows the rules.
“It’s a way of interacting socially, playing games and maybe chatting without being distracted.
“We usually start with a game we can all play together and then split into groups depending on numbers.
“If we can get even more people involved that would be great.”
A group of board gamers also meet at the Queen’s Hotel in Macclesfield.
At the Hospice, players are invited to make a small voluntary donation to cover the charity’s heating, lighting and refreshment costs.
Laura Pope, an unpaid carer, said: “I didn’t know there were so many board games. I only knew classics like Monopoly and Cluedo. Coming here opened my eyes and I love it.
“It lets me try new games, some of them I’ve bought and play at home. Games aren’t cheap and this is a way of finding out if you like them.
“It brings the community together and we have a laugh for a few hours.”
Laura’s late father Simon (64), who had MND, accessed the Hospice @Home services.
Tony Hine and son Ben saw a poster at games and hobby store The Hodgepodge Wizard in the indoor market.
Tony runs childrensfootball.com, an online equipment retailer.
His late grandad Norman Wilcox was cared for by the Hospice.
Tony said: “It was strange coming back at first but it’s good to make use of an empty room with any funds going to the Hospice.”
Carol Frain, a Hospice employee, owns about 200 board games. She said: “My current favourites are Azul and Sagrada.
“When you see amazing boxes with beautiful artwork in board game shops and don’t know where to start it can be overwhelming, but this way you can find out what they’re like.” * To find out more email fenwickbridget@gmail.com.