A local business that has been nominated for a Soldiering On Award is a place of security and fun for people on the autism spectrum.
Taylored Games in Kingsbridge has been nominated for a Soldiering On – Business of the Year – Community Impact Award, which is in recognition of a business that was started by an individual from the Armed Forces community and has made a real impact to the wider Armed Forces Community.
Run by husband and wife team Rachel and Adam Taylor, Taylored Games is a games shop on Prince of Wales Road, which provides a “fun, safe and engaging space for local community members to gather and play traditional table-top games like Monopoly”.
When they met, Rachel was living in West Charleton and, as a long-time self-confessed geek, one of the first things Adam noticed about the area apart from how stunning it is to live, is that there was a definite lack of games shops.
After a while, and an Aspergers diagnosis, Adam, an army veteran, finally decided that he wanted to leave his job at Devonport Dockyard, and do something that plays to his strengths and skills, and become his own boss.
One of their regular customers, Cosmo Burch from Chillington, has Asperger’s and explained why the shop was so important to him.
He said: “They’ve really helped people. Its really nice to have somewhere close enough to get to, the people there are just as big geeks as we are. We’re able to say something to them and not feel stupid. Here is somewhere I can go.
“This award is a nice thing to happen to people in Kingsbridge.”
Rachel and Adam said: “We’re stunned and honoured to have been shortlisted for the award. We’re so proud to support the community in this way, particularly those with Autism, Special Needs, Mental Health and Social Anxiety, and have been blown away by the gratitude we’ve received.
“We also hosted The Kingsbridge Rainbows last night at the shop and we will be celebrating our shop’s first anniversary next week.”
Adam went to London in February for the finalists reception at the House of Lords, and the awards evening is April 5, where the winners will be announced.
You can find out more about Taylored Games on the website: www.tayloredgames.com