First West Berkshire charity named on MONOPOLY: Newbury Edition board
The very first organisation on the MONOPOLY: Newbury Edition has been revealed as mental health charity Time to Talk West Berkshire, writes Imogen Uwins.
Earlier this year it was announced that Newbury would be getting its very own official version of the world’s most popular board game.
While the public were soon keen to send in general nominations and suggestions for landmarks and organisations to feature in the game, a specific poll was made for three Newbury charities to ‘Pass Go’.
The first of these charities to be revealed is Time to Talk West Berkshire.
The charity is a mental health service for young people between 11 – 25-years-old within the area.
Chairman of Time to Talk West Berkshire Geoff Hogg said: “We are delighted to be appearing on the new MONOPOLY: Newbury Edition game and are excited to creatively engage as a charity with our involvement.
“Thank you to everyone who voted for us as we are honoured to be associated with MONOPOLY as it is such an iconic game.”
The charity provides various flexible service offerings such as counselling and a supported online programme.
The service is free at the point of delivery and helps young people deal with their specific challenges in a sustainable and confidential way.
Oscar, 15, a young ambassador for Time to Talk, said: "I have been through the Time to Talk counselling service myself and it's a good, reliable service. It does help people.
"Whatever I can do to help will benefit the charity and that's what we should all strive to do."
He believes Time to Talk’s inclusion in the game will benefit the charity in a productive way.
Custom games executive at Winning Moves UK – the producer of the board game – John Keen-Tomlinson said: “A huge congratulations to Time to Talk West Berkshire. The response from the public has been overwhelming and thank you to everyone who sent in nominations.
“There were more than 1,500 votes specifically for charities. And more than twice that number generally for landmarks in the town.”
The two other charities, alongside all the other Newbury landmarks, will be revealed when the game comes out in November.
The MONOPOLY: Newbury Edition is due to hit the shops on November 3.
Time to Talk West Berkshire was established in 1987 with the vision of a “West Berkshire where all young people feel empowered and have the same opportunity to reach their full potential and grow up to be actively engaged in society as happy, confident and achieving adults”.
