How We're Building a Safe Space at West Allotment Wildlings

West Allotment Wildlings was founded as a Community Interest Company — not a commercial enterprise, not a for-profit business, but a community organisation with a specific and deliberate mission: to provide a space for wargaming, board games, and miniature painting that is open to all ages, all backgrounds, and all levels of experience.

That mission shapes everything we do. But we know that words on a page are easy. What matters is what happens in the room. So here's what we actually do — practically, week in and week out — to make sure the Wildlings is a genuinely safe, welcoming, and inclusive space.

A Club Founded on Inclusion

The Wildlings didn't grow out of a desire to run the most competitive wargaming league in the North East — though we do that too. It grew out of a belief that tabletop gaming is better when more people can access it. That means lowering barriers: to entry, to experience, to feeling like you belong.

We are formally registered as a Community Interest Company, which means our purpose is explicitly tied to community benefit. Any surplus we generate goes back into the club — into better terrain, better facilities, more events, and more opportunities for members old and new.

Welcoming New Members from Day One

Walking into any established group for the first time is daunting. We know that. So we make a conscious effort to make sure nobody who comes to their first Wildlings session feels like an outsider looking in.

New members are welcomed, introduced around, and matched up with players who can help them find their feet. Whether you've never touched a miniature in your life or you're a seasoned tournament veteran returning to the hobby after a break, there's a path in for you. We keep things low-pressure and high-fun, because that's the environment where people thrive.

Safe Spaces for All Ages

The Wildlings is open to all ages, and we take the safeguarding of younger members extremely seriously. We have a full suite of safeguarding policies in place — covering both children and young people and adult safeguarding — that are reviewed regularly and available to view on our website.

This isn't box-ticking. It reflects our genuine belief that a wargaming club should be a place where families feel comfortable bringing their children, where young hobbyists can develop their passion in a safe environment, and where adults of all ages can enjoy the hobby with peace of mind.

A Zero Tolerance Approach to Exclusion

Wargaming — like any hobby community — has not always had a perfect record on inclusivity. There are corners of the hobby where gatekeeping, elitism, and exclusionary behaviour have made people feel unwelcome. We want no part of that.

At the Wildlings, discriminatory behaviour, bullying, or any conduct that makes another member feel unsafe or unwelcome is simply not tolerated. Our club has a constitution and code of conduct that makes this clear. We want every game played at the Wildlings to feel like a good game — not just tactically, but in terms of the spirit in which it was played.

Supporting Mental Wellbeing

We know that for many of our members, the Wildlings is more than just somewhere to roll dice. It's a lifeline. It's the thing they look forward to each week. It's the place where they've made genuine friends during difficult periods in their lives.

We take that seriously. Club nights are structured to be social, not just competitive. We encourage conversation, camaraderie, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere where people can just breathe for a few hours. Our leagues and events are designed to be challenging without being hostile — stretching players competitively while keeping the fun front and centre.

The League of Extraordinary Wildlings: Narrative at the Heart

Our narrative campaign league — the League of Extraordinary Wildlings — is one of the clearest expressions of our club values. Rather than purely optimised competitive play, the narrative league asks players to build a story for their force across the season. It rewards creativity, engagement, and imagination alongside skill.

This format makes the hobby more accessible to players who might feel intimidated by pure competitive play, while still offering structure, progression, and the satisfaction of a fought campaign. It's a format built on the belief that the best games of Warhammer tell a story — and that everyone deserves to tell one.

Come and Be Part of It

If you're looking for a club where you'll be valued as a person first and a player second — where the atmosphere is warm, the games are great, and the people are the point — we'd love to have you.

Check our Events page for upcoming club nights and open days, and follow us on Facebook at West Allotment Wildlings to stay up to date with everything happening at the club. Whether you're a beginner or a battle-hardened veteran, there's a seat at our table for you.