Big Potato, Orchard Toys and Spin Master among the first games companies to get on board with the new Board Game Club initiative.

Playtime PR is evolving its popular Board Game Club with the launch of a nationwide programme for public libraries. In keeping with Playtime’s motto of ‘making lives more playful’, the non-commercial initiative is designed to increase access to games for local communities.

Playtime has already secured early support from big names in the board game space. Big Potato, Orchard Toys and Spin Master are confirmed to take part in the first wave, and there’s still time for other board game companies to get involved.

“Playtime celebrates 10 years of making lives more playful this year,” said Ceriann Smith, director of Strategy & Creative at Playtime PR. “One of the things we have come to realise, perhaps more so in the past four years, is that while play should be universal and open to all, there are increasing social and economic barriers preventing many families, children and communities from accessing and embracing play,”

“By working with libraries across the UK, supplying them with everything they need to set up their own Board Game Club or refresh their existing board game areas, we’re aiming to increase their local communities’ access to play, whether that’s via traditional family favourites or brand new games. In the current climate, we feel very strongly that this initiative is the right thing to do, whilst also aligning with our continuing mission to make lives more playful.”

Wave one will see 100 libraries across the UK receive a ‘Board Game Club in a box’ this spring, containing a selection of different titles from a variety of games companies. A second wave, which will open up the initiative to even more libraries throughout the country, is planned for the autumn.

Games companies interested in supporting the project and offering access to games to wider communities of people across the UK should contact libraries@playtimepr.com.