Ahead of Safer Gambling Week (October 17-23), GamCare have announced the launch of a support group for women who have been affected by someone else’s gambling.
Way Forward will be held on Zoom every Tuesday from 11am to 12.30pm over a period of six weeks. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday October 18. Each of the online sessions will be run by trained facilitators. They each specialise in helping women affected by gambling-related harm.
The meetings will provide a safe and confidential space where those attending can share their experiences. Each meeting will focus on the different ways in which gambling harm can affect women.
On October 18, the Way Forward session will be an introduction to what is planned for the weeks ahead. The first full session will be held on November 1. That will look at how to understand gambling addiction and the financial implications that brings.
Subjects for future sessions will place the focus on how those attending can take care of themselves. They will deal with any guilt and shame that is felt plus any anger or resentment felt. How to deal with difficult conversations and acceptance will also be discussed.
The announcement of this group follows the news last month of a partnership with the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust and Fast Forward. This has the aim of helping educate UK youngsters about gambling harm.
Safer Gambling Week sees the British gambling industry working together to promote the tools that can help customers stay in control. It is organised by the British Gaming Council, BACTA, the Lotteries Council and the Bingo Association.
The event is now in its fifth year and the message they put across will both be online and at land-based venues.The aim is to get businesses and organisations beginning a conversation with people about responsible gambling. Last year’s Safer Gambling Week saw social media impressions total 24.5 million and that was 16% higher than in the previous year.
Michael Dugher is the Chief Executive of the BGC. Talking about Safer Gambling Week he said that despite problem gambling rates falling, the seven days are “further evidence of the regulated industry’s determination to keep raising standards.”
He added that it will be an opportunity to highlight the “fantastic work” that the BGC does throughout the year. It will also emphasise “the differences between the regulated industry and the unlicensed and illegal online black market, which has none of the safeguards which are commonplace among our members.”
