Gaming is a passion for most children and young people today and for no one more so than 14-year-old Seth.
Seth, who lives in the Vale of Glamorgan, has been supported by Tŷ Hafan since the age of seven due to being diagnosed with the life-long, progressive condition Muscular Dystrophy at just six weeks old.
Now Seth is the face of Tŷ Hafan for a brand new programme: Game On! For BBC Children in Need, exploring the positive impact gaming can offer people with a disability and how Tŷ Hafan supports him and his family, including his passion for gaming.
“I love gaming so much,” says Seth. “I love Minecraft because you can do whatever your imagination wants you to do. I can escape reality which is why I love gaming.
“At Tŷ Hafan I can game with some other people here who understand what I go through. I can just be free and talk about anything I want. I just really love it here, it’s amazing.”
Seth, has been Member of the Welsh Youth Parliament for Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices since November 2021, will be featured on the following TV programmes over the coming days:
- CBBC Newsround & iPlayer Friday November 10, 7.45am
- BBC Wales & iPlayer Today Friday November 10, 6.30pm
- BBC3 & iPlayer ‘Game On! For Children in Need’ Fri Nov 10th 7-9pm.
A film of Seth visiting the head offices of Ubisoft gaming company in Paris will also be broadcast on Newsround and BBC Wales ahead of Game On! For BBC Children in Need.
“I got to go to Paris to visit the Ubisoft Headquarters,” says Seth. “Ubisoft are the makers of Just Dance, and I met Florent, who is the dancer in the new version, for wheelchair users. I also got to chat with the Ubisoft staff about what they can do in the future to make gaming more accessible for all people.”
John , Seth’s dad, says: “For Seth, gaming opens up a whole new world for him, enabling him to do all of those things that actually he is unable to do in day to day life.”
Lisa , Seth’s mum, says: “John and I are so proud of Seth and his positive outlook on life. Tŷ Hafan has always been such an essential place for Seth, and us, as it supports our whole family in so many ways.”
Katie Simmons, Youth Social Action & Participation Practitioner for Tŷ Hafan, says: “Being at Ty Hafan is different to anywhere else in his life. It’s just somewhere where he can just come and be free. We have a designated Teens area which we call The Den which has got its own gaming area. Seth knows that there are people here to listen to him and support him and we do regular check ins to check he is OK.”
Tommy Nagra, Director of Content at BBC Children in Need, commented: “Game On! is a ground breaking new addition for BBC Children in Need and we are delighted with the help of amazing young people like Seth, we can shine a light on the power of gaming and the opportunities it brings to unite and inspire children and young people.”
