Happiful June 2020

IT’S WHAT
YOU MAKE
OF IT
The world of AFOL (adult fans of Lego) is booming. From bustling online
forums where creators show off their projects, to dedicated AFOL teams at
Lego HQ, whose role is to support this growing community, there has never
been a better time to pick up the pieces. But what inspires adults to return to
Lego, and can these simple blocks help support our mental health?
Writing | Kathryn Wheeler
I’ve “ recently completed the
Trafalgar Square set, the
London Bridge set, and the new
Fiat 500 set. My VW camper
van is my biggest build to date
at 1,334 pieces! It’s so realistic – it
comes with pull-out beds, a table, a
kitchen area, curtains, a boot, and
driving controls.”
Vicky Richmond, 23, is an AFOL
(adult fan of Lego) and she’s
reflecting on her best builds so
far. But Vicky isn’t alone. She’s
part of a booming community of
people who are piecing together
sets, and getting creative. And it’s
happening on an extensive scale,
as earlier this year Lego shared
that more than 800,000 members
from more than 200 countries
are registered with Bricklink, its
online marketplace for AFOLs.
Of course, the existence of the
community itself is nothing new.
Adults have been enjoying Lego
since production began, and Lego
recognises this community with
dedicated teams who monitor
the wants and needs of their
customers.
Speaking of its unaging appeal,
Lise Borgstrøm Henriksen, from
the Lego AFOL engagement team,
says Lego continues to be a tool to
express creativity throughout our
lives. “Also, they really enjoy the
immersive building experience,
and the social benefits of being
connected to such a strong
community of fellow builders who
have a diverse range of Legorelated
specialisms and passions,”
she adds.
But what are the benefits of this
immersion, and how can it help
support our mental health?
From the toy box
For many people, Lego inspires
memories of days spent working
on sets and scenes, the sound
of rustling through buckets of
pieces, and the infuriating pain
of stepping on a stray block in the
night. But nostalgia plays a larger
role in our psyche than simply
serving as a bookmark of where
we’ve been.
A study from the University of
Southampton found that the >>>
June 2020 • happiful.com • 51