Conversations over clay: Introducing pottery as a way of encouraging deep conversations around challenging topics.

 

 

In June, Fast Forward had the privilege of combining the great work of our Gambling Education Hub, ASK Dad and DadTASTIC North Merchiston groups with the Potter of Leith on a project aimed at facilitating open discussions between fathers and their young people around the topics of gaming and gambling harms. This initiative was designed to raise awareness of how these activities can affect mental health and wellbeing, and to empower dads with strategies to talk to their children about these issues. 

Funded by our Scottish Gambling Education Hub’s Youth Fund, the project centered on a two-part workshop that adopted a “third-subject approach.” This creative technique involves focusing on an external subject—something non-threatening that everyone can engage with—as a way of fostering deep conversations around challenging topics. In this case, we used pottery as the third subject, allowing participants to express their feelings about gaming and gambling through art while facilitating discussions in a less direct and more accessible way. 

The workshop itself was attended by two students who joined us from the University of Florida, Fast Forward Project Officers Jamie, Mark, along with four of the dads. The initial session focused on educating the group about the harms that can arise from gaming and gambling, particularly in young people. Discussing the risks involved in online gaming, such as loot boxes, in-game purchases, and the blurred lines between gaming and gambling.  

The dads learned about the potential dangers, such as addiction, financial strain, and how these activities can affect the mental health of their young people. Strategies for broaching the topic with their children, emphasizing the importance of open, non-judgmental conversations were also explored. 

The second session was a pottery class, which included both the dads and their children. In this hands-on session, participants were asked to create pottery pieces that reflected the discussions and feelings from the first workshop. Using the theme of gambling and gaming harms, the group produced a wide variety of pieces, each telling a unique story. Some dads created brick walls, symbolizing barriers like gambling-blocking apps that can be used on phones to prevent harmful behaviours. Others sculpted video game characters to represent the world of gaming that their young people are immersed in, while some produced thought-provoking abstract pieces that reflected the emotional impact of these activities on families. 

The pottery class not only allowed for creativity but also provided a safe, informal environment where both the dads and the young people could discuss their feelings and experiences. The tactile nature of working with clay helped ease the conversation, making it feel less confrontational and more participatory than the first session, which was largely focused on information sharing. This allowed the dads to open up about their own experiences with gambling or gaming, some sharing personal struggles they or people they knew had faced. The young people were also more engaged in this session, as they could relate their creative work to the topic and better understand the significance of discussing gaming and gambling harms. 

The third-subject approach proved to be a valuable tool in deepening the conversations, as it shifted the focus away from direct questioning and allowed both dads and young people to explore the subject indirectly. By reflecting their emotions and thoughts through pottery, the group was able to have more meaningful discussions about how gambling and gaming can impact their lives. 

Overall, the project succeeded in raising awareness, encouraging dialogue, and strengthening the relationships between dads and their young people. The participatory nature of the pottery class allowed for a more open and honest exchange of ideas, and it gave everyone a chance to express their concerns in a creative, non-intimidating way. Both dads and young people left the workshop with a greater understanding of the potential harms associated with gambling and gaming, and the importance of maintaining open lines of communication about these issues.