Gambling Support Charity Expands National Youth Outreach Programme

Young people in [XXX region] will now receive targeted education to highlight the risks of gambling. GamCare - the leading charity providing information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling - is expanding its Youth Outreach Programme across England, Scotland and Wales after securing additional funding for two years.

The programme offers free interactive workshops to young people aged 11 – 19 as well as free training to youth-facing professionals. Following a successful evaluation of this work so far, GamCare will expand its existing programme from five regions to eight.

Megan Pengelly, GamCare Risk Reduction Programmes Manager, says: “Our Youth Outreach Programme has reached more than 7,500 young people so far, as well as a further 2,000 professionals working to support them, such as teachers, youth workers and third sector representatives. The programme provides a vital opportunity to help young people build their knowledge, resilience and critical thinking skills around gambling, and creates a network of professionals who are engaged and understand how to support them should they need it. We are excited about the impact we can make through the expansion of our programme.”

Anna Hemmings, CEO at GamCare, says: “Our risk reduction programmes provide targeted engagement and support for groups at higher risk of harms because of gambling. We are proud of the good work we’ve been able to do, and we are happy to be able to expand our work with young people to help to minimise the impacts of gambling-related harms felt by individuals, families and communities in years to come.”

Youth outreach will also form part of the integrated Leeds Community Gambling Service provided by GamCare and NECA, launching later this year. Additional funding has been provided to pilot tailored outreach and interventions aimed at 18 – 24-year olds, including students, in Leeds.

GamCare’s Youth Outreach Programme is also supported by a dedicated website for young people, parents and professionals at www.bigdeal.org.uk. Since this site relaunched in 2017, more than 32,500 unique visitors have accessed the resources available on the site.

For more information, including the programme evaluation, visit gamcare.org.uk/our-work/our-programmes.

ENDS

For more information please contact Catherine Sweet, GamCare Head of Marketing and Communications:
catherine.sweet@gamcare.org.uk / 020 7801 7000.

GamCare – Working to minimise gambling-related harm

• GamCare’s Youth Outreach Programme now operates across the following regions: London & South East; Bristol & South Wales; Birmingham & Midlands; Liverpool & North West; Yorkshire & Humber; Newcastle & North East; Glasgow & Scotland; East of England. Information and advice for young people is provided by GamCare via a dedicated website at www.bigdeal.org.uk.
• Funding to expand the Youth Outreach Programme for 2019-21 was provided by GVC. The Leeds Community Gambling Service is funded by GambleAware. Victoria Gate Casino (part of Global Gaming Ventures) provided funding to pilot tailored outreach for 18 – 24-year-olds in and around Leeds.
• Funding has also been secured for additional work with at-risk young people in contact with The National Lottery (TNL) Community Funded projects across seven regions for one year.
• GamCare operates the National Gambling HelpLine on Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via web chat at www.gamcare.org.uk, providing information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling (8am – Midnight, every day), funded by GambleAware. GamCare offers a moderated online Forum and daily chatrooms so that people can speak to others experiencing similar issues and seek support.
• GamCare also provides a range of free treatment (face-to-face, online or over the phone) for anyone affected by problem gambling across England, Scotland and Wales, funded by GambleAware.
• GamCare’s organisational strategy, annual reviews and statistics are available to download at https://www.gamcare.org.uk/about-us/annual-review-and-statistics/
• GamCare provides accreditation and training to the gambling industry to raise standards in player protection, including the Safer Gambling Standard. For more information please see https://www.gamcare.org.uk/our-work/for-gambling-operators/.