5 aside CHESS

16/03/2026

The 5asideCHESS team were invited into parliament last week to explain to MPs how the 5asideCHESS Wingman programme works in prisons. Our Lived Experience Ambassador sat down and played a game with Prisons Minister, Lord Timpson. This article appeared in Inside Time today

13/01/2026

We’re in Cambridgr market every Tuesday selling vintage chess sets and having interactions with 5asideCHESS. If you’re interested in a vintage set buy can’t make it to the market, check out our website www.Cambridgechessforum.com

♟️Some stalls sell things.
Some stalls change lives. ❤️
Diane and Ross from 5 aside CHESS use the power of play to help reduce isolation and support mental wellbeing.
Catch them on Tuesdays at Cambridge Market and see how a chessboard can open up a whole new conversation. 💬🤝

20/07/2025

Hopefully this is the start of something really powerful in Cardiff ♟️❤️

11/08/2023

This morning in the community space in Tesco Bar Hill, Richard met Zaki. Richard only started learning this morning and Zaki is already a good player but they were still able to connect over a game of 5asideCHESS. Zaki was very patient and generous in helping Richard to learn and start his own journey.
The exciting thing is that you never know who you will meet when you go out to play 5asideCHESS and what will come out of it.

02/08/2023

Starting Monday 7 August in the Octagon, Bar Hill, CB23 8EH (opposite Maple Surgery) - learn to play 5 aside CHESS over a cuppa and some homemade cakes. Everyone welcome whether you are from or further afield.

28/07/2023

A beautiful meeting of minds as some of the regulars work together to solve a 5asideCHESS puzzle in Grapes Cambridge
5asideCHESS is an ice breaking tool to get people connecting, talking and puzzling things out together. Ask the staff behind the bar if you can borrow the set and have a go yourself.

26/07/2023

If you have a child aged 8-12 who is interested in improving their footy game, sign up for this free event on Friday 4th August.

03/07/2023

Day 4 of our mini tour and the 5asideCHESS team are in Leicester market at the invitation of the council. Exciting things are coming to Leicester - our WingMAN, Adrian, will soon be opening a 5asideCHESS market stall and play hub offering coaching in chess and life skills.
If you’re in the area today please come down and say hello. Otherwise, watch this space for future developments.

Leicester Markets


Thanks to Bright Hygiene Management Ltd for keeping the Battling Su***de Bus on the road

03/07/2023

What a great serendipitous visit to the Old Thatched Inn At Stanton Under Bardon last night. Manager Sunny is already doing so much to help his local community

We have had a great visit today from 5 aside CHESS Who work to help Battle Su***de. Help people communicate, interact more, Share their problems, please pop down to the Thatch on a Tuesday afternoon 12-4PM. If you feel lonely depressed or just want a little chat we have teas and coffee is available for free with our games afternoon. 

28/06/2023

Looking forward to visiting on Sunday. Please come down and say hello 👋

28/06/2023

The Battling Su***de bus tour is coming to The Life Rooms Walton this Friday! The bus tours around the UK, stopping off in towns to offer a chat, cuppa and game of chess ♟️🤝

5 aside CHESS builds connections, fights loneliness and promotes social inclusion.

Come along from 11:30am - 2pm 💚

23/06/2023

Really looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow. Solve a 5asideCHESS mate in 2 puzzle to win a prize Emmaus-Suffolk Bright Hygiene Management Ltd