Training Tools:
Britain-based charity dedicated to lessening gambling-related harm, GambleAware, announced in London on 24th September that they have signed a new two-year deal which will see it join forces with Citizens Advice (a deal worth £1.5 million) to help debt advisors tackle the results of gambling addiction head on…
A total of nine regions in England and Wales will benefit from this new partnership which aims to provide the tools necessary to identify (and support people at risk) but not only that, it will also provide the essential training needed for frontline debt advisors.
The reason behind the deal came from a very successful 6-year pilot, which GamebleAware ran in conjunction with Newport Citizens Advice, where it delivered gambling support services.
Comments on the Deal:
Dr Jane Rigbye, Director of Education at GambleAware said: “The debt advice workforce has an enormous role to play in supporting and reducing the likelihood of people experiencing gambling-related harms, as do many professions who come into contact with the general public on a daily basis. Encouraging and enabling staff in all public-facing settings to be aware of the possibility that the presenting problems could be related to gambling is key in helping to tackle this issue. I am particularly delighted that we will continue to work with Katie Fry to lead this programme, and with her team at Newport Citizens Advice’s Gambling Support Service as we roll out the programme at far greater scale.”
Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice added…
“Gambling can have life-changing effects, not just on the individual but also their families and friends. People seek our help to deal with the practical problems that come out of this - including increased debt and relationship breakdown. “We are pleased to be partnering with GambleAware to develop services across England and Wales. These will help our staff make a real difference to people struggling with gambling.”
“We know those we help with gambling often experience significant mental health problems. In two years, we’ve trained more than 2,000 advisors and volunteers to recognise gambling issues and help people to overcome them. I’m delighted the success of our project can now grow beyond South Wales,” contributed Manager of the Newport Citizens Advice Gambling Support Service, Katie Fry.
Source: “GambleAware invests £1.5 million in partnership with Citizens Advice” https://about.gambleaware.org/media/1804/2018-09-24-citizens-advice-announcement-cita-changes.pdf. Press Release. September 24, 2018.
