[woodcote]

   

Hornby have been plugging this across their social media platforms today, having recently commissioned a study on hobbies, screen time and mental health: https://www.hornbyhobbies.co.uk/hornby-h.../unplugged

The most interesting aspect of the study is that UK adults are choosing to reconnect with offline hobbies and experiencing benefits to their mental health. This trend has been reported quite widely and impacts younger Gen-Z adults, with this recent Guardian article also worth a read: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...sy-hobbies

Both articles chime with my experience of meeting new members at WHO Racing - older adults being told (usually by a spouse) to ‘get a hobby’ and younger (mostly Gen-Z) adults either sticking with us having been junior racers or coming in new looking for a regular offline activity.

What we’re not seeing is a significant uptick in parents bringing their kids along since the pandemic. I wonder what’s going on there?

[Gareth]

I've been promoting the club at work in connection with their work with Andy's Man Club. Still need to get more posters up in the Worthing office.

I do wonder whether there are less parents who had slot cars now compared to 5 to 10 years ago. Or simple lack of exposure. 

I know one of Lawrence's kids loves racing when I have a track up so hopefully Laurence will bring him along when his own health improves.

[Johnno]

<snip> 

What we’re not seeing is a significant uptick in parents bringing their kids along since the pandemic. I wonder what’s going on there?

I suspect the significant lack of people in this hobby especially this year and in Australia the main detrimental effect is simply the pricing of the cars, parts and the lack of products in Australia with most stores showing stock as out of stock. 

The price increase to some brands are making these products have no value for the quality being expected of us to buy.

When you have four people in one family with 15 cars each that soon adds up in value and maintenance. 

Sadly, another issue that I am seeing is people, of all ages, who know better but still behave worse than three year old children with their attitudes, whichi n turn simply pushes people out of this hobby. 

[ScorpiusWireless]

Everyone needs a hobby or interest. I actually sorry for people who don’t.
When I’m in Slot Car Land NOTHING else comes into my mind, just totally immersed in the zone. When I’m not doing doors I’m playing bass or polishing the Stang. I wish I had time for more hobbies but work gets in the way. And I’m not intending to retire anytime soon.

[KensRedZed]

I'm fully retired due to old age, and health issues. My biggest problem is... I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. 

So, I keep playing with slot cars. I prefer scratch building. 

I used to scratch build and fly RC aircraft for many years. But eventually figured out that it's a loner hobby. You head to the club alone. Do your thing be it scale or 3D flying. Then come home. End of story. I sold it all a few years ago for the sake of slot cars. 

[KensRedZed]

or polishing the Stang.

Pics, or it doesn't exist. 

[Kevan]

Coming back from University in the mid 80's I was heavily depressed.  Depression is an apt description, it's like a huge weight pushing you down, crushing you, squeezing out any will do do anything.

A hefty bollocking from my Mum got me out to get a job, back to the place I left before going to Uni.
I left after working on the Milling machines, making one-off punches and dies. Problem was the place had changed hands in the 3 years I'd been away and it was an awful job, soul destroyingly boring.  Some days I just couldn't go in!

I decided to go back the the RC car club I'd been a member of since 1980, I had something to enjoy doing again.

I got a job in the parent company working in their model shop, making working prototypes for the domestic water heating market and loved the job.

A few years later at one of the companies other branches I met my future wife, married with two young children at the time but that didn't stop her kicking him out (he was a drinker, ex-Navy with a violent criminal record) and I was head-hunted.
That was 1993, we've been together since 

2015... I decided to visit the local Slot Car Club, in existence in various forms for many years.  I knew a couple of the guys, had a go of some cars, loved it and never went back.

Roll on to 2019/20, lockdown at home... after many weeks at home alone I could feel the weight of that will-crusher returning, depression was looming... thankfully I recognised the signs.

I'd bought a 3D printer about 6 months earlier and it sat in it's box, right let's get that built and DO SOMETHING!

That staved off the depression and started another addiction 

Slot cars and 3D printing/designing... a marriage made in heaven for me and keeps me sane and gives me something to look forward to every day.

I suppose the moral is, depression can be beaten with the love of doing something you're passionate about 

[Dr_C]

I agreed with all the thoughts and sentiments expressed above.

Also, as contributors to this forum we are advocates for this wonderful hobby which is social, therapeutic and as technical as we wish to make it (whether it’s tuning cars, building routed tracks or resin casting car bodyshells or any other of the techie options available to us).

As advocates for the hobby we are at our best when we support each others’ endeavours, and maintain politeness when we feel the need to gently challenge each other.

Most of all I like the way Slotracer.online is framed as a ‘friendly place’ to enjoy the hobby. Long may it stay that way.

Clive