The newly named National Gambling Support Network has been designed to meet the growing and changing needs of those at risk of gambling harms in GB.
An introduction from Zoë Osmond
As we start our new fiscal year, I wanted to use this opportunity to share some highlights and reflections with you on what has been yet another transformative year for GambleAware.
Against a challenging backdrop of uncertainty in the face of delays to the Government White Paper, the team have worked hard over the past year to ensure we are delivering against our objectives to achieve better outcomes for the people we are working to support. I am proud of what we have achieved and our recently published Impact Report [add link] serves to provide an overview of some of those accomplishments.
I want to bring your attention to three recent highlights:
The launch of the newly named National Gambling Support Network which is transforming the support and treatment for anyone experiencing problems from gambling, as well as those affected by someone else’s gambling
Our recently published research on the experience of Minority Communities’ lived experience of gambling harms highlights a number of structural factors demonstrated to be associated with higher levels of gambling harm, including income levels, social inequalities and experience of discrimination.
It is important we recognise that gambling harms are constantly evolving, which is why action is needed on all fronts now to address the impact that gambling harms are having on communities across Great Britain. For the year ahead, have set ourselves some ambitious goals to ensure that we continue to work towards the vision of a society safe from gambling harm. One of these ambitious areas is the launch of our major new public health behaviour change campaign this month, which will help break down and reduce stigma associated with gambling harm.
At this time, more than ever, we need to collaborate and engage with each other to deliver better outcomes in an ever-changing landscape. I look forward to the publication of the White Paper and continuing to work with you to achieve our vision of a society where everyone is safe from gambling harm.
Zoë Osmond
CEO, GambleAware
Launch of the National Gambling Support Network
GambleAware has recommissioned the National Gambling Treatment Service. The newly named National Gambling Support Network has been designed to meet the growing and changing needs of those at risk of gambling harms in Great Britain.
The National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) is a comprehensive partnership of treatment and support providers from the third sector who provide free, confidential support, without judgement, for anyone experiencing problems from gambling, as well as those affected by someone else’s gambling. The NGSN has a specific focus on early intervention and a regional led approach, designed to prevent escalation of harms and support required which, in turn, will help relieve pressure on the NHS.
The involvement of lived experience has been central to the design of the new service and will be integral to the network moving forward.
Building knowledge of Minority Communities’ lived experience of gambling harms
A priority for GambleAware is to reduce gambling harms inequalities. New research published last month showed that despite lower rates of participation in gambling, members of minority groups are more likely to experience some form of harm from gambling. The report from Ipsos UK and ClearView Research also highlighted how a number of structural factors appeared to be associated with higher levels of gambling harm, including income levels, social inequalities and experience of discrimination. A secondary publication from this research programme will be published later this year.
Further to this research, this programme of work aims to ensure that all GambleAware commissioned services and interventions prevent and reduce disproportionately high burdens of gambling harms for minority communities.
The Community Resilience Fund
Research has shown that people in more deprived areas are three times more likely to experience gambling harms compared to those in the least deprived communities. With this in mind, and in response to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, GambleAware sought to provide funding that specifically targeted minoritized and marginalised groups to enhance the support they receive and ensure they have access to the right help and guidance to address gambling harm.
As part of this programme of work, GambleAware awarded £1.24 million to 22 organisations across Great Britain to support individuals and communities affected by gambling harms. Successful organisations in receipt of funding included IMO Charity and Coram’s Fields.
Aftercare Funding Programme
The Aftercare Funding Programme has commissioned ten organisations from across Great Britain to help people with longer-term recovery from gambling harm, providing them with the additional support they might need so they can live happy and healthy lives. The ambitions of the programme are to provide resourcing for services and opportunities for innovation, as well as to build the evidence base, in what is an emerging and fairly under-invested area. To this end, the programme has invested a total of £2 million in projects that vary both in size and funding length (between 18–36 months), and are located across England, Wales, and Scotland.
The organisations were chosen following a rigorous selection process involving a panel of experts, including two members with lived experience. The chosen organisations clearly demonstrated how they would work towards helping people have sustained recoveries from gambling harm, including: improving mental health and wellbeing, increasing practical skills such as financial and employability skills, and increasing people’s confidence and self-belief in their abilities.
Our Impact Report 2022-2023
The past year has been instrumental for GambleAware. The charity has been a driving force in ensuring gambling harms are seen as a serious public health issue and this has been embedded in all activity. As you will see in our recently published Impact Report reflects on how we’ve delivered against our objectives to achieve better outcomes for those we are working to support.
Stigma Campaign
One of the key barriers to people accessing support and treatment is stigma. That is why we’re excited for the launch of an ambitious, major new public health behaviour change campaign, which will help break down and reduce stigma associated with gambling harm.
Launching in Spring 2023, this new campaign will put the stories of people who have experienced harms from gambling at its heart. The fully integrated campaign will run across PR, TV, broadcast video on demand, out of home, radio, digital and social channels.
We look forward to taking on this challenge and starting the long-term ambition to reverse the stigmatising beliefs held by individuals and the public on the issue of gambling and gambling harms.
2023/24 RET Contributions
Many thanks to those organisations who have donated to GambleAware for the 2022/23 financial year. Those wishing to make a donation for the new financial year can do so online here (limit of £999) or by completing a Donation Form, and paying via Bank Transfer (details on the form). GambleAware publishes the list of donations and pledges received each quarter on its website.
Under the guidance of the Gambling Commission, GambleAware asks all those who profit from gambling in Britain to make a minimum annual donation of 0.1% of their Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) direct to the charity. This suggested contribution does not represent the recommended overall contribution that individual operators, or the industry, should make towards RET. Individual operators are free to make RET contributions at higher percentage rates of their GGY, and many kindly do so.
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