GambleAware commits £3m investment for new Gambling Harms Awareness and Support training programme

GambleAware has issued an Invitation to Tender to develop and deliver a new Gambling Harms Awareness and Support training programme across Great Britain.

The programme aims to increase awareness and knowledge of gambling harms amongst professionals and community leaders who work or volunteer in eight sectors: debt advisors, faith leaders, primary care, social care, occupational health, criminal justice settings, housing and homelessness services and community pharmacies.

Currently, people working in these settings may lack sufficient awareness, knowledge, and skills to identify gambling harms or provide the appropriate support. But because members of the public may turn to them for help and advice, they can be well placed to offer early interventions and help reduce gambling harms in the community.

The programme is expected to provide the tools required to effectively identify and support individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing gambling harms. Investing £3m over a three-year period, GambleAware anticipates the training will encourage earlier intervention and will, in turn, facilitate a reduction in gambling harms.

Upskilling professionals and community leaders through the new training programme will also contribute to expanding the National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS) provision and promoting a whole-system, community-based approach.

GambleAware is seeking bids from qualified organisation(s) to develop and deliver the training and resources, in collaboration with and building on GambleAware’s existing networks, on a national and local level, across England, Scotland and Wales.

The selected bidder will work with and alongside existing and future providers of training on gambling harms awareness and intervention, playing a convening and collaborating role to bring together providers, fostering an environment of mutual support and development, rather than one of competition.

This new commissioned programme will be in addition to GambleAware’s current portfolio of training and educational resources; with an increased scope, it will reach more people geographically and be tailored to meet the needs of specific groups.

More information about the programme of work and Invitation to Tender is available here. The deadline for applications is 12pm on 5 November 2021.

Those who would like more information or are interested in applying, please email [email protected].

GambleAware is currently commissioning another work to expand the Scottish Gambling Education Hub Service, aimed at young people, to England and Wales.