[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.