SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
GambleAware has launched its new ‘Aftercare’ and ‘Community Resilience’ funding programmes, forming part of its 2022 grant-making directives.
The funding programmes are focused on strengthening UK communities most at-risk of problem gambling harms, by helping victims in recovery and disadvantaged communities most affected by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The Aftercare Programme is supported by £2 million in funding to help people in the phase of longer-term recovery from gambling addiction, by providing participants with a structured aftercare programme for their recovery and integration with day-to-day life.
GambleAware seeks local-level projects to support the Aftercare Programme development and community engagement, in which new and existing partners will be able to apply for grants of £150,000 to £350,000.
Owen Baily, a Lived Experience Consultant, said: “The launch of GambleAware’s Aftercare Funding Programme is a much needed and welcome investment and will play a crucial role in the prevention of further gambling harm by funding a range of projects.
“Enabling people to build on their recovery capital is a key ingredient in ensuring people have the best chance to achieve and sustain long-term recovery from gambling harms following gambling treatment.”
The Community Resilience Fund (CRF) will provide £1 million in short-term funding to community-led organisations to respond quickly to the cost-of-living crisis, and the impact this has had in exacerbating gambling harms and increased exposure to them.
GambleAware will allow new partners and charities to apply for up to £100,000 for 12 months to help support its Community Resilience Fund.
Anna Hargrave, Chief Commissioning Officer, GambleAware said: “We are delighted to launch these two funding programmes which will build capacity among charities and organisations to better respond to gambling harms in their communities and support people in long-term recovery.
“Whilst there are many people who receive successful treatment and support for gambling harms, there is less known about how to ensure recovery is sustained. The Aftercare Funding Programme will help people in this phase of longer-term recovery and responds to the need for a long-term structured aftercare programme.
“The Community Resilience Fund will help organisations to address specific needs within the community and the inequalities they experience.”
