Training delivered by the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) has achieved outstanding results in preparing Health and Social Care practitioners to detect gaming and gambling harms affecting children and young people, according to an evaluation conducted by consultancy Rocket Science.
The evaluation showed that practitioners developed a 72% greater ability to identify harmful behaviours after completing the training. Their knowledge of gaming and gambling risks increased from 14.8% to 95.1%. The evaluation also highlighted a 91.9% increase in practitioners’ confidence to speak with young people about these issues, and a 92.8% improvement in their ability to provide support and appropriate help.
In 2024, YGAM trained 1,957 professionals, who collectively reached an estimated 199,467 children and young people, surpassing delivery targets by 166%. Clinical teams at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and frontline staff at the mental health charity Place2Be were among key partners in the training programme.
The evaluation also demonstrated strong knowledge retention, with 57.8% of participants maintaining high levels of understanding three months after training, rising to 75.0% after six months.
Sandy Thompson, who leads YGAM’s Social Care Programme, said the evaluation confirmed the charity’s evidence-based approach: “Our evidence-based methodology serves as the core foundation for all our activities. The evaluation shows our impact while reinforcing our dedication to reflection and continuous improvement.
“We have incorporated thorough evaluation procedures into all phases of programme delivery to ensure our work is both effective and responsive to the needs of healthcare practitioners and the young people they support.
“These findings have shaped our methods, guided our partnership development, and deepened our commitment to sustained growth. The evidence collected will serve as our foundation to expand our reach and create meaningful prevention outcomes for gaming and gambling harms.”
Rocket Science recommended that the programme be extended to reach more frontline professionals, integrated into safeguarding and mental health protocols, and supported by the development of specialised resources for different practitioner groups.
YGAM stands by legacy
Founded in 2014, Ygam’s vision is for “every child and young person to be resilient to and safeguarded against gaming and gambling harms.” The charity was established as a direct response to personal tragedy: after battling gambling addiction for over 25 years, Alan Lockhart died by suicide in 2010 at the age of 40.
In the aftermath, Alan’s mother Anne, a former teacher, joined forces with her husband Keith and co-founder Lee Willows to create Ygam. Together, they were determined to use education as a tool to prevent similar harm in future generations.
