GamCare joins national helpline campaign amid Covid-19 lockdown relaxation
#ReadytoTalk campaign backed by four national charities including the Samaritans
GamCare has added its support to a new campaign encouraging individuals to seek support in dealing with issues aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The #ReadytoTalk campaign is supported by GamCare, which runs the National Gambling Helpline, alongside Samaritans, Refuge and Cruse Bereavement Care.
It is aimed at increasing awareness of problem gambling support services at a time when people are most vulnerable, guiding individuals to reach out and speak about their issues confidentially.
GamCare CEO Anna Hemmings welcomed the new campaign, highlighting the lockdown period as magnifying pre-existing issues among at-risk individuals.
“We know that addictions, and gambling problems specifically, can be aggravated by feelings of isolation and distress that have been so prevalent through lockdown,” said Hemmings. “We want people to know we are here to help and ready to listen whenever they are ready to talk.
“It is great to have support services and helplines united in their desire to help people across the country, especially during uncertain times,” she added.
The new Ready To Talk campaign has support from four UK charities
Source: GamCare
Elsewhere, the charity has reported a doubling of attendance of its CPD training sessions in dealing with gambling-related harm in the last month, following the launch of these services online and the adding of additional development themed e-learning modules.
Following the increased demand for gambling-related harm treatment training, the charity has recruited staff to “scale up” the programme both online and face-to-face when it is safe to do so.
GamCare has also created a new working group to ensure treatment professionals can reach young and at-risk individuals despite reduced contact and social distancing.
Last month GamCare, along with fellow charity YGAM, announced a joint £10m youth education initiative funded by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) as part of its safer gambling commitments.
The multi-million-pound campaign aims to provide education and support to young people about gambling awareness.