Each year, the UK Games Industry comes together through the membership charity, GamesAid, to support charities that improve the lives of children and young people. Their members choose which causes will be given funding for the year through their charity election. This year, it will be taking place between 13th April – 27th April.
We’re encouraging anyone working in the UK Games Industry to become a GamesAid member ahead of the deadline on Sunday 12 April 2026. Membership is free, open to all professionals in the industry and only takes only a few minutes to complete. Please note: Once the ballot has opened on Monday 13th April, GamesAid will not be accepting any new members.
By joining GamesAid, you’ll be helping to shape which charities benefit from the 2026 Charity Elections.
Why Jigsaw4u is applying to partner with GamesAid
Jigsaw4u supports children, young people and families experiencing complex social and emotional difficulties – providing specialist mental health and wellbeing support for those facing challenges with; bereavement, depression, anxiety, living in and leaving the care system, sexual and criminal exploitation and more. Last year alone, we supported 10,507 individuals across 24 active services.
One of the services we are hoping to spotlight and gain much needed financial support for (through GamesAid support) is Little Hands, our play therapy service for children aged 5–10 who have experienced domestic abuse. At this age, these children often carry trauma that they cannot put into words. Through play therapy, they can express feelings safely, rebuild confidence and begin to overcome the trauma they have faced and to help them put the pieces back together.
‘Little Hands’ is the only service of its kind in our region and at the time of writing is not fully funded. GamesAid funding would enable us to reintroduce the service to our communities so that more children receive the specialist support they urgently need. We have been supported by GamesAid in the past and wholeheartedly believe that this service will be the best way in which we can continue to provide impactful work with GamesAid.
Unfortunately, in 2025, we were unsuccessful in the charity election, missing out on funding by only 37 votes. This means that every vote truly counts and gaining the support of those working within the UK Games Industry could make a monumental difference to our children who need this effective support which resulted in overwhelmingly positive outcomes for the children we supported previously.
How you can help today – become a GamesAid Member until 12th April
Right now, we are not yet on the GamesAid ballot. We should know if we have successfully secured a place on the ballot by the 12th April. The main purpose of this article and news at this stage is about raising awareness and encouraging GamesAid membership registrations from people across the UK Games Industry.
If you work in the UK Games Industry, you can support us by:
- Becoming a GamesAid member by 12 April
- Sharing this page with colleagues in People, Culture, EDI, CSR or Community roles
- Staying connected with us so we can keep you informed when voting opens – Hear from our Fundraising team who can answer questions and give timely updates.
Your support at this early stage helps ensure that professionals across the industry are aware of our work, our values and the children who rely on our services.
