A gaming café in Harrogate is raising money to create a calm space in its store designed specially for autistic customers.
Geek Retreat has teamed up with autism support specialist KoKoPie Families to hit its £250 fundraising target and is already a third of the way there.
Supporters can make a donation to guess the number of sweets in a large jar in-store or enter a prize draw to win a hamper.
The initiative will culminate on Saturday, February 25, when the Geek Retreat will hold its main fundraising event at its Oxford Street premises, with a bake sale, portrait-drawing and game-play.
Geek Retreat staff member Maddy said:
“It’s really important to me and the team at Geek Retreat that everyone has a space where they feel safe and wanted. I already see this happening at Geek Retreat, and can’t wait to see how the fundraiser makes that goal include as many people as possible.”
The funds will be used to supply sensory equipment, a film-screening licence and equipment, bean-bags, stim-kits, and inclusive books to add to the café’s diversity library.
Nurse consultant Laura Hellfeld, who runs KoKoPie Families, said:
“Partnering with Geek Retreat was a quick decision as we share a vision of creating inclusive and accepting spaces. The resources bought through this fundraiser will be incredibly valuable for ensuring even more community members know that they are valued and welcomed into a café that has been adjusted to fit their needs.”
Geek Retreat is a national franchise operation, with about 50 stores across Britain.
To donate to Geek Retreat’s inclusive calm space fundraiser online, go to its JustGiving page.
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Harrogate’s Geek Retreat to create autism-friendly space
Local not-for-profit organisation Pride in Diversity has teamed up with Harrogate shop Geek Retreat to create an inclusive space for people with autism.
Geek Retreat describes itself as a ‘geek culture’ venue that specialises in items such as comics, trading card games, board games and video games.
It recently opened a branch on Oxford Street in the unit that housed the Early Learning Centre for years.
Pride in Diversity, which promotes diversity, will train Geek Retreat staff about how to ensure autistic people have a positive time whilst visiting.
It will also build a stim kit to help relieve tension for autistic people and an autism-inclusive activity time will take place on Sundays along with LGBTQIA evenings on Tuesdays.
Geek Retreat will host art from Pride in Diversity’s Speaking Out campaign, which includes oral history recordings, objects and photographs from Harrogate’s LGBTQIA community.
Laura Hellfield, a director at Pride in Diversity, said:
“The partnership between us at Pride in Diversity and Geek Retreat was a quick decision as we share a vision of creating inclusive and accepting spaces. Soon we will be launching an Autism Inclusive session on Sundays. Inclusive sessions let those in the Autistic community know that they matter and deserve a place to enjoy and that has been adjusted to meet their needs.
“These sessions will be incredibly valuable for those coming to make like-minded friendships and to simply have fun while crafting and playing board games together.”
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