Dan from Creative Creatures interviews our director Nigel for his series on Creative Careers
Can board games be more than just entertainment? For Nigel Scarfe, the founder of Imagination Gaming, the answer is a resounding yes. What began as a childhood passion for role-playing games has grown into a mission to use play as a tool for learning, confidence building, and connection.
In episode 5 of Dan’s Creative Creatures, Dan sat down with Nigel in his native Yorkshire to see firsthand how his work is transforming lives. At Roger Canon Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre, a school supporting children with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities, Dan watched Nigel use games to spark problem-solving, teamwork, and self-expression. The impact was immediate and deeply inspiring.
Nigel’s journey to creating Imagination Gaming in 2007 wasn’t straightforward. A self-described shy child, he credits Dungeons & Dragons with unlocking his creativity and improving his confidence, as well as his skills in subjects like maths and English. Over the years, his work ethic and passion carried him through jobs in retail, record shops, and management, each role shaping his resilience and giving him the skills he would one day channel into his own business.
Today, Imagination Gaming runs programs not just in schools, but also in libraries, care homes, and even prisons. Nigel speaks about his work with enthusiasm, reminding us that creativity, play, and learning are lifelong tools, not just for children but for all ages.
What struck Dan most during their conversation was how multi-layered this story really is. It’s about fun and creativity, but also about resilience, hope, and the determination to make a difference. Imagination Gaming is proof that turning your passion into a career isn’t just possible; it can also create ripples of positive change in communities everywhere.
Thank you Dan for interviewing and sharing this story.
🎥 Watch the full episode: Creative Careers, EPISODE FIVE: Imagination Gaming
👉 Check out Dans other episodes @danscreativecreatures
Dans also created this e booklet and free resours with more information about the series: Creative Careers E Booklet (1)
