Kippie Builds Dream Team to Open Industry Doors for the Next Generation of Creators 🎮

Kippie, the pioneering charity using gaming to empower marginalised and socially excluded young people, has announced the formation of its first formal Board of Directors—marking a major milestone in its mission to build a pipeline for young people into careers in gaming, animation, virtual production and the wider tech industries.

This new board brings together some of the most respected names in gaming, animation, education, and tech startup growth from across the island of Ireland. Their appointment signals a bold new chapter for Kippie as it scales its impact, deepens its community partnerships, and strengthens its ability to connect young people with industry pathways that were previously out of reach.

Among the newly appointed board members are:

Rory Clifford, Researcher and Kippie Chairperson, is an experienced Business Development lead within the screens industry in Northern Ireland. Experience includes NextGen Skills Academy, Northern Ireland Screen and Retinize.
Carrie McCafferty, Business & Culture Co Ordinator at Satori Accounting, is an experienced Enterprise Development Executive, skilled in leadership, planning, strategy, financial management, growth, and development.
Jennifer Neff, Co Founder and former CEO, Elemental Software, and now Entrepreneur-in-Residence at The AMP Growth Incubator, bringis deep expertise in youth entrepreneurship, social innovation ecosystems, and startup acceleration.
Thérèse Charles, Lecturer and Researcher in Game Design & Development, specialises in games-inspired systems and innovative technologies with tech startup experience and is an advocate for neurodivergent voices, promoting ethical practice, inclusion, and opportunities to thrive in digital and professional spaces.
Justin Hundt, Senior Staff Engineer at Qualcomm Technologies Inc developing wireless audio technologies is an experienced in software engineering processes that deliver innovative solutions to customers and a voice for parents of Kippie kids.

“Kippie was founded to prove that gaming isn’t just play—it’s power. Power to learn, to connect, to create, and to belong. With the support of this exceptional new board, we’re now in a position to grow that power and open doors for a new generation of creators and coders across Ireland,”

Caroline Anderson, Co-Founder, Kippie.

Together, the board members will guide Kippie’s strategic vision, governance, and partnerships, ensuring the charity is equipped to deliver high-impact programming that is youth-led, industry-informed, and rooted in creativity and community.

Kippie’s growth comes at a time when the Irish gaming and animation sectors have a global reputation for excellence, with increasing demand for homegrown talent and a recognition of the need for more inclusive access to careers in the creative and tech industries.

“Gaming can be the first spark of a future in animation, design, coding, or digital art. Kippie gives young people a way in—especially those who’ve historically been locked out. It’s exciting to help lead that charge,”

Rory Clifford, Chair, Kippie Board.

With support from its new board, Kippie will launch a series of new initiatives in the coming year, including skills labs, virtual production, industry mentorships, and a platform to showcase youth-created games and stories.

About Us 🎮

At Kippie, we’re all about games—playing them, making them, and using them to inspire the next generation of creators! We believe games aren’t just entertainment; they’re a gateway to learning, creativity, and future careers in game development.

Our hands-on workshops and immersive classes (with a dash of STEM and ICT) are designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and equip young people with real-world skills that go beyond the screen. From coding and digital art to storytelling and problem-solving, we help turn passions into possibilities.

We know that traditional learning doesn’t suit everyone, so we create a space where all young minds can explore, experiment, and grow—making new friends along the way! Our team has extensive experience working with children and adults of all abilities, including those who are homeschooled, school refusers, or have disabilities and additional learning needs. We ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Whether you dream of becoming a game designer, animator, programmer, esports pro, or even a tech entrepreneur, Kippie is here to help you take that first step.

🚀 Join us and turn ideas into games, skills into careers, and dreams into reality!

Meet the Team 💻

Caroline (Technical Director)– A coding expert and tech enthusiast, Caroline helps students break down complex concepts, making programming fun, accessible, and empowering 💻🚀 (A strong love for Capybaras, if one goes missing from the zoo… you know who to call)

Katherine (Executive Director) – With a love for storytelling and digital art, Katherine brings imagination to life, inspiring students to express themselves through games and animation 🎨🕹️ (Never without dog treats, just in case she meets a new furry friend)

Dearbhail (Digital Communications) – A social media strategist and digital communication expert, Dearbhail brings creativity to online spaces, helping students and Kippie connect with the world through engaging content 📱✨ (Inhales books and memes from Tiktok)

Samantha (Creative Curriculum Director)– A skilled producer with a passion for games and education, Samantha keeps projects on track, ensuring creative ideas turn into real, impactful experiences 🎬🎮 (Will sing you every song in order from WICKED, you don’t need to ask…)

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🎮 Ctrl Alt Create Girls is Back! 🎉

We’re excited to announce that Ctrl Alt Create Girls is returning with new courses in BELFAST and DERRY/LONDONDERRY!

This FREE course is open to girls aged 11-14 and introduces them to the skills needed to create their own computer game. Participants will learn how to use GameMaker, a free 2D game engine, and Procreate on iPads for digital illustration.

Beyond hands-on skills, students will get an inside look at what it’s like to work in the game industry, with inspiring talks from women currently shaping the future of game development in Northern Ireland.

🚀 Want to join? Register your interest or find out more by clicking the buttons below!

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🎮 Why Should You Make Games? 🎮

Skills for Life

Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking - Game creation is a workout for your brain! You’ll be solving problems, thinking critically, and find innovative solutions to challenges, which strengthens your decision-making skills.

Collaboration & Teamwork - Game development is a team effort! You’ll work with other creators - coders, artists, designers, and more - to bring your game to life. It’s all about communication and collaboration to make the magic happen.
Learning through Play - No more boring textbooks! Game creation offers hands-on experience where you’ll learn coding, design, animation, and art by actually building something. It’s a practical, engaging way to gain valuable skills.
Time Management & Decision Making - The fast-paced world of game creation teaches you to manage deadlines, prioritize tasks, and make quick decisions while balancing multiple aspects of the project. You’ll become a master at juggling responsibilities.
Adaptability & Flexibility - Things don’t always go as planned - game creation is full of surprises! You’ll learn to adjust your approach on the fly, developing flexibility and resilience in problem-solving.

Creativity, Innovation & Self Expression

Unlocking Your Creativity - Game creation provides the perfect platform for you to express yourself. Whether you’re designing characters, building worlds, or telling stories, you have the freedom to bring your ideas to life in your own unique way.
Innovating with Technology - In the world of game development, creativity meets technology. You’ll gain experience with the latest tools and platforms, pushing boundaries and experimenting with new ways to create interactive and immersive experiences.
Personal Expression Through Design - Game creation allows you to infuse your personal style into your projects. From the visual design to the gameplay mechanics, your unique perspective shapes every aspect of the game.
Exploring New Ideas - Games encourage you to think outside the box. You’ll experiment with new concepts, challenge traditional ideas, and explore creative solutions, all while building something that’s entirely your own.
Building a Portfolio & Future Opportunities - By creating games, you’ll build a portfolio of work that showcases your creativity and technical skills—giving you a head start when it comes to future career opportunities in tech, entertainment, and beyond.

💡 Inspiring Kids Through Video Games 💡

🎨 Our Workshops Cover 🎨

The game and it’s message is completely driven from the ground up by the people involved. We facilitate and encourage discussion of the issues and societal pressures that affect the group, what message do they want to get across?
What problem do THEY want to address? And how can they decide that as a group?

What does the game look like?
How does it work?
We encourage the group to propose and consider practical responses and examine possible outcomes through the step by step logic / process of designing a computer game.

We work with the group to make the game, using freely available online tools, giving a taste of some of the skills involved in game making including digital image manipulation, script writing, art work, sound recording and coding, designed to increase the participants confidence when working with digital technologies.

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