Hello!

My name is Sam, I’m an avid gamer and have been since I was around 7 years old and I’m really excited to be working with MindJam!

I have studied Psychology along with being an Uncle to 8, which has definitely given me the social tools needed to work with children of all ages. Two of my nephews have SEN and I can see how much gaming helps them with their social interaction and their confidence. During the pandemic lockdowns I spent countless hours playing online with one of my nephews and teaching him how to play games such as Fortnite, Minecraft, and Rocket League. This was a welcome distraction for both of us during a time of complete uncertainty, and strengthened my belief in how online gaming is an amazing platform for connecting and communicating with one another in a pressure free environment.

When I was 14 I suffered a spinal cord injury which has led to me becoming a permanent wheelchair user. Having your independence stripped along with your ability to walk at such a young age really affected my mental health, which led to me not attending school and also being around my friends or peers, resulting in me developing depression and anxiety issues at the time. Had MindJam been around when I was younger I know it would have had an incredibly positive impact on my mental health and made my teenage years a lot easier.

There wasn’t much that I could do when I first became ill and gaming really helped with my mental health. My interest and love for gaming helped me take my mind off all the negative things in my life at the time, along with allowing me to use it as a medium to socialise and make lifelong friends. 

I am fully DBS checked, have full up-to-date safeguarding, safeguarding for online education, and data protection training and have also received training in child mental health awareness, PDA, ASD, ADHD.

With most of the world now being online, it is important for the younger generation to be supported and build confidence in their abilities allowing them to thrive in the future which is something I am incredibly thankful to be part of now I work with MindJam.

Favourite Games: Call of Duty Warzone, Rocket League, EU4, Minecraft, Borderlands, Fortnite and Ages of Empires 2.

Favourite Movies: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and anything Marvel and DC!