GambleAware inks £1.5m partnership with Citizens Advice
New nine-region training program for debt advisors to be developed
GambleAware has announced a new two-year £1.5m partnership with consumer network Citizens Advice, with the aim of helping its employees better assist individuals dealing with gambling-related harm.
Under the partnership, GambleAware will develop a training program for Citizens Advice front-line debt advisors on the identification and provision of support for those at risk, directing them to the appropriate resources and help.
The partnership, which will be rolled out in nine regions across England and Wales, also includes establishing new regional support hubs and the expansion of access to training and resources for local authority staff, youth practicioners and healthcare workers.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “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.”
Dr Jane Rigbye, director of education at GambleAware added: “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.”
The funding commitment follows a successful six-year pilot project which GambleAware ran in tandem with Newport Citizens Advice to deliver the Gambling Support Service. This project will now form the blueprint of the national initiative.
Addressing the potential of a national roll-out, Katie Fry, manager of the Newport Citizens Advice Gambling Support Service, said: “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,” she added.