Ignition Gamers is a neurodiverse community, for autistic or hidden disability individuals with low support needs and a shared interest in video games. Gaming brings us together, but it’s only where we start.
Discover new friendships, have fun and access meaningful support in a safe and welcoming environment
Ignition Gamers helps your teen and young adult develop the social skills, confidence, and sense of achievement needed to enjoy greater satisfaction in life.
At Ignition Gamers, we have built more than just a gaming space. We’ve created a community where autistic teens and young adults feel safe, supported, and understood.
Our sessions are led by peer workers who know what it’s like to walk a different path – people with lived experience of autism or other hidden disabilities. Using the power of gaming, we help build real-world skills like teamwork, communication, resilience, and independence, all in a way that feels natural and fun.
When you — or your young person — join Ignition Gamers, you’re not just finding a place to play. You’re finding a place to belong, to grow, and to be backed by a team that truly gets it.
Read the ABC News Article.
Here’s what you, your young person, or someone you care about, can expect from Ignition Gamers:
If you, your young person, or someone you care about loves gaming — or is keen to give it a try — but struggles with connection, confidence, or finding a place to truly belong, Ignition Gamers could be the perfect fit.
Thanks to our one-on-one peer support model, each participant has a guide who genuinely understands their world – because they have lived it too.
Let's start with a chat to see if Ignition Gamers is a good fit for you, or your loved one. If it sounds like we're a match, join us for a free trial session to experience the fun first hand.
Loved the trial session? Fantastic! We'll get the service agreement signed and book your regular session/s so you can keep the momentum going.
The Ignition Gamers journey begins! Participants attend our sessions, enjoy gaming, make new friends, and grow with the support of our experienced team. Plus, look forward to joining us for some exciting activities outside our gaming studio.
Hi, we’re the Goldings and the founders of Ignition Gamers.
Parenting Will, our neurodiverse son, has at times been an exhausting, exhilarating and challenging journey. There’s no road map, and we learnt early on that the right support was difficult to find. As Will left school, the transition into adulthood was difficult. He became withdrawn, lonely and lacked motivation. Despite wanting to be independent and keen to work, Will’s NDIS support workers didn’t encourage him to explore his goals or build his capacity.
That’s when we started Ignition Gamers. Will wanted to help other neurodiverse men who had similar interests. He wanted to give them what he had been missing – a less formal support system from someone who had walked a day in their shoes.
With the help of dad, Stephen, a highly regarded and experienced psychosocial recovery coach and peer worker, Ignition Gamers was brought to life.
Today, we’re proud to offer a service where every session, every conversation, and every milestone is underpinned by lived experience and genuine understanding. Some of our peer workers even started out as participants themselves. They know when to listen, when to share, and when to simply be there.
Yes, we love gaming – but at Ignition Gamers, it’s just the beginning. Gaming is the connection point, not the end goal. As participants build confidence in our sessions, we also support families, carers, and young people by connecting them with additional services and professionals to continue their growth journey.
Ready to get started? Book a complimentary chat with us today.
Will founded Ignition Gamers in 2020 because he loves how gaming and eSports can bring together others to have fun, build relationships and develop communication. Will played many sports during his childhood - including show jumping! His love for fitness is still very much real with regular gym sessions and training for 5k fun runs. Will is very much involved in the day-to-day running of Ignition and continues to actively support all our new and existing participants.
Daniel loves making a difference in the lives of his clients. He’s been involved in youth work for many years, in particular supporting young people who are physically or cognitively diverse. Daniel’s a keen gamer and loves that he’s able to combine both his passions at Ignition. But more than that, he’s enjoyed seeing the positive changes participants have experienced with their social skills, building friendships and finding a truly supportive network.
Dale knew he loved gaming from an early age, starting with the classics - Pac-Man and Galaga - and loved sharing this time with his Dad. After playing on various eSports teams, we were thrilled that he joined us to help our community build their social skills, communication and gaming abilities.
Thomas is courteous, reliable, and quiet but loves a good chat about drawing. When he’s not with the Gamers, you’ll find him going for drives, getting out and about with his extended family or playing with his 7’ pet python! Thomas is always welcoming and supportive of our new Gamers.
Chris, affectionately known as CJ, is a dedicated peer worker at Ignition Gamers. Sharing his cosy space with two spirited cats, two violins, and two guitars, Chris finds solace in creating melodies inspired by video games and movie themes. An avid Lego enthusiast, he admits it's a pricey passion but worth every brick. Chris thrives in the relaxed and inclusive atmosphere at Ignition Gamers, where his work feels more like hanging out with friends than a typical job.
When he's not immersed in the world of gaming, you can find Andrew indulging in his love for comic books or collecting vintage transformer figures and movie/music DVDs and CDs. With a keen eye for fashion, Andrew draws inspiration from the rebellious energy of the 2000s era. If he had the chance (and the money), he'd spend his days racing go-karts!
Ab is a dedicated peer worker at Ignition Gamers, passionate about personal growth and helping others thrive. When he’s not gaming, he’s writing lyrical rap or serving his local church. With a background as a professional chef and a new path in youth work, Ab brings warmth, understanding, and a love for gaming to the team. "When I was younger, I didn’t have people to share my love for video games or understand what I was going through. Ignition Gamers brings those two things together, and I’m proud to be part of it." Ab’s lived experience and passion for connection make him a valued part of the Ignition Gamers community.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to authentic peer support. Every team member at Ignition Gamers brings invaluable lived experience and has been employed through Disability Employment Providers. This unique perspective allows us to offer genuine, empathetic guidance, creating a welcoming space where autistic individuals feel truly understood and supported.
We believe that peer support isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. Our team’s lived experience is what sets us apart, providing relatable, effective support that empowers our community to connect, grow, and build confidence. This commitment is reflected in our adherence to the Mental Health Lived Experience (Peer Work) Framework—a foundational guide that shapes our approach to peer work and strengthens our support practices.
Our founder, Stephen, had a role in developing this framework two years ago, a testament to our deep connection with the peer support movement. You can learn more about this framework and its impact on our work by viewing the framework HERE.
Whether you’re looking for support for yourself, your teen, or someone you care about, Ignition Gamers is here to help.
Click ‘Start Here’ to book your consultation call today.
Ignition Gamers is a Canberra-based social gaming community for autistic teens and young adults aged 14 to 35. Through face-to-face gaming sessions led by Peer Support Workers, we help participants build social confidence, communication skills, and real-world teamwork in a fun, inclusive environment.
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