MindJam

Is your young person interested in creating their own 3D models for games?

Blockbench is a free 3D modelling tool that allows users to create models, textures, and animations for games. It's particularly popular within the Minecraft community, but can also be used for a range of other game development projects.

Young people can explore 3D modelling, design their own game assets, and learn how models are created and customised alongside their mentor.

Why people like it:
• Free and easy to get started with
• Designed with game asset creation in mind
• Popular within Minecraft modding and resource pack communities
• Supports modelling, texturing, and animation in one tool

Where it works:
Available through a web browser or as a desktop application on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Who it’s for:
• Young people interested in game design or 3D modelling
• Those who enjoy Minecraft and want to create their own content
• Anyone curious about how game assets are made

Things to keep in mind:
• Has a learning curve compared to simpler creative tools
• Creating detailed models can take time and patience
• Some projects may require additional software depending on how they're used

Whether they're creating custom Minecraft content or taking their first steps into 3D modelling, Blockbench offers a practical and accessible way to get started.

Find out more about Blockbench: https://www.blockbench.net/

Visit https://mindjam.org.uk/discover/leveling-up-skills-tools to explore more creative tools.

For some young people, sitting face to face and being expected to talk about how they feel can be overwhelming.

But what if counselling could happen somewhere they already feel safe?

Introducing BlockJam, MindJam's innovative counselling service delivered through specially curated Minecraft worlds. Guided by trained counsellors, young people can explore emotions, worries and challenges in an environment that feels familiar, engaging and far less demanding than traditional talking therapies.

Through building, exploring and interacting within their own private Minecraft world, conversations can happen more naturally, at their pace and in a way that respects their need for autonomy and choice. Alongside this, young people are supported to develop practical tools, coping strategies and emotional understanding that they can draw upon in everyday life.

BlockJam is designed for young people who may find more conventional approaches difficult, offering a child-led experience where there is no pressure to share before they are ready. The aim is not simply to talk about difficult feelings, but to help young people build confidence, resilience and strategies that empower them long after their sessions have ended.

Because sometimes the best conversations happen side by side, rather than face to face.

If you would like to learn more about BlockJam Counselling, or find out whether it could be the right fit for your young person, visit MindJam or get in touch with our team.

www.mindjam.org.uk

It's always wonderful to hear from families about the positive changes they're seeing.
This message from a parent is full of hope for the future ✨

"Our 12YO son is Autism/ADHD and has been out of full-time school for two years after a really difficult start to year 6.

A’s deep love for gaming and the many hours I spend as a parent on Autism/ADHD parenting groups on Facebook led me to read about MindJam. I became convinced that this could be just the thing that A needed. We even managed to get it funded by the LA as part of A’s EHCP.

From the minute A started talking to his mentor in their first session, there was an instant connection. They started gaming together like old friends and it’s very clear that his mentor knows exactly how to talk to young people. A’s demeanor after a session is striking. He’s bouncy, happy and full of energy. Not something we see much of at all usually.

The initial weekly sessions were 30 minutes long, but A was getting so much out of working with MindJam that we doubled them to one hour.

His mentor manages to chat to A about really difficult topics like how he feels about school in such an effortless manner. We communicate with MindJam separately to give them context around what’s going on at home so they gets an insight into both perspectives. A is now learning how to code with MindJam which he is enjoying immensely.

What’s MindJam given us? Hope for the future. Hope that A’s skills and passion for computer gaming can be harnessed and developed. Relief that there’s someone out there he can talk to and who understands him. If A had a choice, his mentor would be his teacher five days a week!"

Is your young person interested in making games but not sure where to start?

Scratch is a free programming platform that helps young people learn the basics of coding and game design through a simple drag-and-drop system. Instead of writing code from scratch, users connect blocks together to create games, animations, stories, and interactive projects.

Young people can explore game design ideas, experiment with coding concepts, and develop their own projects alongside their mentor.

Why people like it:
• Easy to get started with, even with no coding experience
• Uses visual coding blocks instead of complex programming languages
• Encourages creativity, problem-solving, and logical thinking
• Free to use and supported by a large online community

Where it works:
Available through a web browser on most computers and tablets.

Who it’s for:
• Generally suited to young people aged 8 and above
• Those who enjoy creating and experimenting with ideas
• Anyone interested in learning how games and interactive projects work

Things to keep in mind:
• Designed as a beginner-friendly platform
• More suitable for smaller projects than complex games
• Some young people may eventually want to progress to more advanced tools

Whether they're creating their first game or exploring coding for the first time, Scratch provides an accessible and creative way to learn.

Find out more about Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu/

Visit https://mindjam.org.uk/discover/leveling-up-skills-tools to explore more creative tools.

Welcome to another instalment of our Digital Art tutorials, focusing on the basics of using Krita.

In this episode, MindJam Mentor Dré creates a speed painting using Vector Tools and Shapes in Krita, showing you how to create clean designs, smooth lines, and scalable artwork using Krita’s powerful vector features. Whether you’re brand new to Krita and digital art or just want to sharpen your skills, this series will guide you through the basics so you can create your own digital artworks and animations.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments section, get involved, and have fun creating!

You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/z0n-5xataKQ

Links:

Download Krita here: https://krita.org/en/

Explore MindJam’s other creative skills series:
• Music Production Mini Series - BandLab

You can find more information about Krita, and loads of other creative software here:
https://mindjam.org.uk/discover/leveling-up-skills-tools/

And follow our YouTube Channel here:
/ mindjamofficial

Learn about MindJam:
https://mindjam.org.uk/

We're always delighted to hear how much young people are benefiting from their sessions.
This message from a parent highlights the difference that understanding, trust and shared interests can make.

"I 'found' MindJam just over a month ago. Their unique offering of emotional support and nurturing alongside gaming seemed the most perfect combination for my anxious and withdrawn teenage son. I spoke to MindJam on the telephone before deciding to ask him to work with my son. Within a few minutes I knew that he was perfect! MindJam 'get' anxiety and teenagers. They understood what I was saying without me having to explain how anxiety was affecting my son.

His mentor patiently listened to me and asked relevant questions which clearly demonstrated his awareness of my son's needs. He was empathetic, compassionate and positive. His approach was to build a relationship with my son via gaming. There was no pressure placed upon my son and their relationship has quickly become very positive. After a 30 minute session with MindJam my son is more communicative with me and it is a time when I can encourage him to leave the house/go for a walk. This is a huge step for a child who has mainly been inside the house for the last two years!

My son quickly asked if he could have a second session each week (well actually he asked for 7 sessions!).

His mentor is very communicative with me as a parent and asks if there are any areas I would like him to focus on. Currently his mentor is supporting my son by talking to him about starting a new school in September (having not been in school for 2 years).

I recommend MindJam highly and feel very fortunate that they are in my son's life. Thanks MindJam!"

There’s nothing better than hearing how much a young person is benefiting from their sessions. This message really highlights the difference understanding and genuine connection can make.

“Just wanted to pop in and share a HUGE progressive win!

My teenager started sessions with Esther back in September, 1 hour a week. At that time his mental and physical health was so bad I was just trying to keep him alive. Things have been slow and gentle whilst they built up a bond after struggling to trust every other “professional” up until now.

This year we started double sessions and the difference is incredible. I can hear his immersive enthusiasm through the walls!

Considering this time 2 months ago I was terrified of losing him to severe anorexia, he’s even making progress with that too - he’s actually eating pizza and noodles and lasagne and the occasional McDonalds! What’s more, he actually had his first few pieces of cucumber!

I can’t help but feel that having someone he can trust to talk to in the gaming environment, who shares many of his own interests, has really helped him to move forwards.

Thank you Esther, thank you to Jess and the whole MindJam team (and its entire ethos). I feel like I might be slowly getting my son back - long may it continue!

For the first time in a very long time I am feeling hopeful.”

To find out more about MindJam and our services visit
www.mindjam.org.uk

A huge congratulations to one of our mentees, Hope, who has written, illustrated and self-published her very first book as part of her Bronze Arts Award 🏅

The Old People Next Door follows Freya Godwit over one very unexpected summer, after she discovers the strange goings-on in the house next door - home to a quintet of old people, foxes, axes, race cars, and far more chaos than she bargained for.

Hope has enjoyed creating children’s stories from a young age, and this project gave her the opportunity to develop her writing, illustration and self-publishing skills while creating a complete book of her own.

Massive well done to Hope from all of us here at MindJam ✨

Read more on our website:
https://mindjam.org.uk/arts-awards/one-of-our-mentees-publishes-her-first-book-as-part-of-her-bronze-arts-award/

You can find Hope’s book here:
https://www.lulu.com/shop/hope-whittaker/the-old-people-next-door/paperback/product-kvwegm8.html

You can also find out more about the Bronze Arts Award here:
https://www.artsaward.org.uk

We always love hearing about the things MindJam mentees have created, achieved or taken part in ✨

If your young person has a success story you’d like to share with us, feel free to email:
[email protected]

🛠️ Solo stream experiments this week.

Josh is giving Game Builder Garage a go live on stream - learning how it works as he goes and bringing chat along for the process 😅

If you’ve ever been curious about game creation tools, this is a good chance to jump in and explore it with him. Though knowing Josh, there’ll probably still be some slightly questionable decisions along the way.

Live from 7pm.

➡️ Watch here: https://www.twitch.tv/mindmashxp