News
19th NOVEMBER 2008 - FREE LOCAL HELP FOR ANYONE AFFECTED BY PROBLEM GAMBLING IN N YORKS
19 November 2008
Gambling is exciting and fun for the majority of people, but for some of us, it can become a problem, spiraling out of control and with devastating repercussions on the entire family. GamCare, a registered charity and the leading national provider of advice, support and treatment for problem gambling, now has a new Partner delivering free face to face support in premises in Harrogate, Bradford, Ripon, Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge. With a service already operating in Leeds we are delighted to be working with HADA (Harrogate Alcohol and Drugs Agency) in expanding our support to these new locations. Our approach to gambling is non-judgmental and HADA offers counsellors who have received GamCare's specialist training for problem gambling.
Anyone concerned about the time or money that they, or someone close to them, spends gambling can talk in confidence to GamCare advisers from 8am to midnight on our HelpLine 0845 6000 133 or on NetLine at www.gamcare.org.uk For free face to face support and counselling locally, during office hours make an appointment with HADA direct on 01423 525999. Anyone hesitant about talking to an adviser can join the online self-help Forum or the ChatRoom and share their experiences with others facing similar challenges.
Press contacts:
Andrew Harrison, Chief Executive, HADA, 01423 525999 Andrew@hada.org.uk
Eileen Kinghan, Marketing Director, GamCare 020 7801 7003 eileen@gamcare.org.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS
GamCare is the leading national authority on the provision of counselling, advice and practical help for anyone experiencing or affected by problem gambling. GamCare's confidential one-to-one national support services, available 8am to midnight, are the telephone HelpLine (365 days of the year) and NetLine (Monday to Friday). We fund and train counsellors in many parts of the UK to deliver free face to face support to anyone who needs it.
According to the British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007, it is estimated that 0.6% of the UK population (around 300,000 people) are problem gamblers. Considering that each may have a partner, parents and dependents, those affected by problem gambling may number over one million. The British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007, commissioned by the Gambling Commission and prepared and published by the National Centre for Social Research, is available online at http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/UploadDocs/publications/Document/Prevalence%20Survey%20final.pdf