News
NetLine extends service 10am-7pm Monday to Friday - live confidential online help
1 August 2007
NetLine provides Internet-based real time, confidential advice and referral for people affected by problem gambling within the UK
In recent years use of the Internet has grown extensively with the majority of households now having access. People communicate via email, text and chatrooms everyday. Additionally, Internet gambling opportunities have grown and gambling is now accessible 24/7, 365 days a year, without having to leave the home.
Currently GamCare offers frontline support to problem gamblers, relatives and friends via the national telephone HelpLine (0845 6000 133). We believe that an increasing number of people wish to access similar support online. The speed and immediacy of access to GamCare advisors online, often linked directly from gambling websites, opens up support to an audience currently under-represented within our existing services.
Since August 2005 GamCare has operated a message forum and chatroom intended to facilitate peer-to-peer support online. This has been incredibly successful and has grown by over 300% in the last 12 months. The forum has now seen over 2800 registered users posting in excess of 27,000 messages. The chatroom has delivered over 400 hours of live community-based sessions. Both have given an excellent insight into the demand for support online.
The NetLine is available between the hours of 10am and 7pm Monday - Friday. NetLine is staffed by a team of GamCare Advisors with a broad and significant experience in the provision of advice, information and support to people affected by gambling problems. The GamCare NetLine, for reasons of funding will be lauched as a UK only service to begin with. The GamCare Forum and Chatroom will remain accessible regardless of location.
It is planned that later in 2007 this service will be complimented by the introduction of a formal online counselling service.
TALK TO AN ADVISOR click here
For more information on the NetLine click here or contact Andrew Poole, Head of Online Services or Helen Sear, Online Services Manager on 020 7378 5200.