Posted on behalf of GamCare
I am Jason Meek, the Engagement Lead Scotland for GamCare’s Gambling Awareness and Prevention (GAP) programme, a new UK wide programme which through training aims to reduce gambling harm by enhancing the awareness, knowledge and confidence of public facing staff to undertake early intervention and prevention actions.GamCare operates the UK’s National Gambling Helpline and is a provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by harmful gambling, for more information about GamCare and what we do please click this link: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/.
The GAP programme works by offering free training for staff around gambling related harms, signposting to support services, recognising gambling spend, referral pathways and embedding screening questions. The training we offer is specifically tailored for different sectors and currently we are focusing on debt advice sector. The other sectors we will be delivering tailored training for are housing, community & cultural leaders, pharmacies, social & primary care and occupation health, dates to be confirmed.
Our experience of working with the debt advice sector is that there has been an increase in individuals seeking support for financial difficulties linked to gambling. Each year at least three quarters of callers to the National Gambling Helpline and those accessing GamCare’s treatment services report financial difficulties and two thirds mention some level of gambling debt.
For further information about reducing gambling harm in Scotland please click this link: https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/blog/news/scotland-reducing-gambling-harm-year-three-evaluation-report/I look forward to hearing back from you and working with organisations in your area.