A weekly Dungeons and Dragons game fostering a community soars in popularity

A weekly Dungeons and Dragon game has become an unlikely beacon for Cairns young people in search of community.

Headspace Cairns hosts weekly sessions of the popular role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons every Thursday evening. Celeste Russon and Alexis Shield talk tactics with dungeon master Dylan Small before they play. Picture: Brendan Radke

A weekly Dungeons and Dragons game has become an unlikely beacon for young people in search of community.

About 20 teenagers and young adults gather every Thursday at Cairns Headspace to roll dice, dress up and connect playing the retro board game.

Dungeon master Dylan Small runs one of two games played each week and keeps track of characters’ lore, building backstories and ensuring the game runs smoothly.

Dungeon master Dylan Small gives the players a briefing before the game starts at Headspace Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

He said Dungeons and Dragons provided connection for people who might struggle to engage or who simply love to imagine.

“It’s an Allen’s Party Mix of neurodivergence here,” Mr Small said.

“It can be really tough to find people who are going to consistently accept and welcome everyone who comes into the group.

“The way it’s organised and set up is controlled, it’s inclusive and the space itself is really welcoming … we’ve always had a great time playing.”

Created in the 1970s, the board game uses collaborative storytelling to create a fantasy world where players take on quests and challenges.

Alexis Shield and Celeste Russon wear role-playing costumes when they play Dungeons and Dragons with other young people at Headspace Cairns on Thursday evenings. Picture: Brendan Radke

Celeste Russon said the game was an outlet from reality.

“The way it works is that we have seven week-long campaigns where we make characters, form a party, and then go on a quest,” she said.

“The creativity, the teamwork, the potential for silliness and role playing is what I like.

“It’s a break from actual life. It’s a distance from reality.”

After featuring in TV shows like Stranger Things and receiving its own movie adaptation in 2023, Dungeons and Dragons has surged in popularity.

But in Cairns, Headspace is the only free, regular place for people to play.

Before finding the community, Gareth Ragve said he had to play at home.

“I never found a place to do it. I just sat at home and learned the most I could on my own,” he said.

“All the people that my mum knew who played D and D were in New South Wales, so I knew no one.”

Dungeon master Dylan Small gives the players a briefing before the Dungeons and Dragons game starts at Headspace Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Ragve found the sense of routine the game brought just as important as any social aspect.

“Routine is comfort, especially when that routine is fun,” he said.

The tournament has become so popular with local players it now has a waitlist.

Headspace manager Helen Isenhour said the program had been running for close to six years and for many it was the highlight of their week.

“The amount of joy young people get from coming together and being in a space where they can be their authentic self with people that love the same thing … It’s gold,” she said.

“For us to have a part in supporting that is kind of the highlight of our week too.”

Originally published as A weekly Dungeons and Dragons game fostering a community soars in popularity