About us
West Coast Crucible was set up, initially, with the premise of a couple of friends who had not been in touch for years, returning to a hobby they hadn't been part of in decades, getting together to play and talk and get out and socialise again in the wake of the Covid Pandemic. A flyer was put out to gauge if anyone else would be interested in joining us, and suddenly we had 9 people who had never played before. At the next session, the number doubled. We had to rethink what to do.
The decision was made to make it an actual Community Group, created a Constitution, and aquired grants to be able to provide the resources necessary for those not normally in a position to participate to be able to take part regardless. Poverty of one form or another is commonplace in this area, and we felt it shouldn't be a barrier to be able to enjoy a game. Complimentary snacks and drinks are offered to our members too, to help along the same lines.
Mental Health is also very important to the group, considering it was originally set up to help resocialise through games. Many of it's members have mental health issues in one form or another, and we strive to make the group an inclusive and safe place for people to socialise in a hobby setting everyone shares a passion for.
On February 17th 2026, we officially became a Registered Charity, kicking off a new leg of our journey and opening more opportunities for the Hub to expand and in May 2026 we will be relocating to our own premises at 67 Dockhead Street, Saltcoats at the Trinity Church Building.
Cam MacDonald
Crucible Founder
I founded the Crucible in August 2024 for various reasons, and I must admit, some of it was for my own benefit.
I have struggled with mental ill health for most of my life. It was only when I hit my late 20's that I realised depression had been shaping my life for as long as I remember. Since then it has waxed and waned though circumstance, medication and sheer force of will, but never fully gone.
When Covid 19 reduced the world to hermitdom, I was one of the few who believed it didn't change much for me, I was already there. Unfortunately when lockdown finally lifted, it struck me that it did impact me, and getting back into the world felt far more difficult than I expected.
Through Covid, I got back into an old hobby I hadn't been part of in almost 20 years. To fend off the boredom, my Wife bought me the Starter Box for Warhammer 40k 9th Edition. My youngest son jumped in with me, and we were soon hooked (again). Through social media, I got back in touch with a few old friends who were doing the same as myself. Before long, we were chatting about how to get a game together.
The idea was floated about booking a room in the local Community Centre every three weeks or so to get socialising again. I put up a flyer in a couple of places just on the off chance there were others out there in the same boat, and now we are here!
Mental Health is a massive part of the group, and something I feel very stongly about. It is a cornerstone of what we are building, and it will remain so throughout.
