How a Vintage Board Game Exhibition Brings People Together and Changes Perceptions of Neurodiversity

Can you imagine that an old board game can not only entertain a group of people, but also become a key to making new friends, and for someone—a support in the fight against isolation? An unusual exhibition has opened in Barnsley, where antique games have taken center stage in a space for communication and self-expression. Why do board games so often give people a sense of belonging, and how important is this for neurodiverse participants?

Board Games Through Time

How are the fate of a collector and a public mission connected? Ann Jones is a former English teacher who, after 17 years of working at Barnsley College, founded the business Cards or Die and began collecting board games. Today, her collection numbers over 600 items, and she has presented 155 rare and vintage games to the general public at an exhibition in Barnsley Civic.

The idea for the exhibition was born out of Ann’s personal motivation: after a recent diagnosis of autism, she decided to show how a passion for board games becomes a positive part of her identity. In Ann’s family, such games were always held in high regard. She recalls that her mother encouraged only those board games that seemed educational to her. Thus, even “Equality”—a game reminiscent of Scrabble with numbers, although, according to Ann, “terribly difficult”—earned an honorable place in the collection.

Main Attractions: Rarities and Beloved Classics

What makes the exhibits of the exhibition so remarkable? Here, true rarities are collected, among them Hearts from 1918, often sought after at weddings for its atmosphere and ambiance. Alongside these, visitors encounter childhood favorites like Connect 4, Battleship, and Guess Who, which instantly evoke nostalgia and a desire to share memories.

Especially interesting are items such as Jumbles and Find the Fault, which appeared back in the 1940s. In Jumbles, players decipher jumbled names of countries and actors, though many of them have faded into oblivion. Ann notes with a smile that this game includes countries that no longer exist and actors no one has ever heard of.

The organizers note the fragility of some exhibits—the oldest are placed on special podiums. In addition to board games, the exhibition features anime figurines, drag costumes, and unique items associated with the Barnsley football club. This broadens the palette of the exhibition and highlights the diversity of modern forms of collecting.

Board Games as a Bridge for Neurodiverse People

How do old games become a tool of support for neurodiverse participants? The term “neurodiversity” is used to describe natural differences in brain function, including autism, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and other features. Ann Jones, sharing her own experience of living with autism, emphasizes: “Board games are ideal for people like me. Communication develops around the game process, and making eye contact is no longer obligatory—no one minds if I look at the board instead of making eye contact.”

According to researchers, board games can develop social skills and reduce anxiety in people with special needs (data from the organization Mind, 2022). The structured process and clear rules make such activities comfortable for everyone. Ann regularly conducts inclusive game sessions, where guests of all ages and abilities can feel on equal footing.

Nowadays, various entertainment platforms are striving for inclusivity, including the world of video games and online casinos. The iGaming sphere is a vivid example of inclusivity, as it seeks to attract the widest possible audience. The degree of inclusivity depends not only on the particular platform, but often on the specific game.

For example, the developer Evolution Gaming adds settings to simplify the interface in live games such as Crazy Time. Given that this game is truly popular, such settings, just like subtitles for sound effects, are a sign of the developer’s care for players. The popularity of this project with a high level of exclusivity is confirmed by the list of online casinos, which can be find here. It indicates that the game is offered in many major gambling establishments. And one of the factors in such popularity is precisely the convenience of the interface.

Thus, examples of inclusivity can be found not only in the world of board games, but also in more modern forms of entertainment.

Social Mission

What is the public function of Cards or Die? From the very first days of her business, Ann has focused on working with people facing social isolation, mental difficulties, or learning disabilities. Her game sessions take place not only in cultural centers, but also in pubs and companies, bringing together people with a wide variety of interests.

Participants emphasize how valuable chance meetings during a game have become: “I met people here I would never have met otherwise,” says one of the exhibition’s visitors. Such events are especially important in the context of widespread digitalization, when real communication becomes a true value.

The organizers admit that not all exhibits are available for active play due to their historical fragility, but even contemplating such items brings back memories and inspires guests to further encounters.

New Meanings of Old Games

What changes do visitors and curators note? Many say that the exhibition became not only a return to forgotten traditions, but also a source of new acquaintances and inspiration. In a space among rare boxes and tokens, schoolchildren and pensioners, large families and people who came alone feel equally comfortable.

As a result, a new perception of board games is emerging: now it is not only a family pastime, but also a recognized resource for supporting neurodiversity, rehabilitation, and inclusion. Many for the first time saw how diverse the audience at such events can be, and how the exhibition helps break stereotypes about who plays board games and why.

National Context

How does this project fit into the large-scale movement for the acceptance of differences? The exhibition in Barnsley is part of the national project Come As You Really Are, organized by the artist Hetain Patel and the creative group Artangel, which specializes in creating unusual exhibition spaces.

Here, along with board games, collections of anime figurines, drag costumes, and memorabilia from the football club are presented. This approach highlights the value of individual hobbies and self-expression. According to the organizers, such projects can give new meaning to public spaces, drawing attention to the importance of a diversity of hobbies and support for all segments of the population.

Why are such initiatives necessary for modern cities? The answer becomes obvious to anyone who has at least once seen how an old game turns into a bridge between people, eras, and identities, opening new opportunities for communication and personal growth.