News
Problem gamblers in Lincolnshire can access GamCare's face to face help locally
7 December 2009
GamCare, with the backing of East Lindsey District Council, now provides face to face support locally for problem gamblers and their families. The Council and its partners have funded the establishment of the counselling service. GamCare will fund the delivery of the counselling sessions through its existing and experienced specialist partner, Breakeven.
Andy McLellan, GamCare CEO, said:
"I am thrilled that East Lindsey District Council has provided much-needed funding to enable us to set up this important service in Skegness, serving anyone in the Lincolnshire area. For some people, talking to GamCare’s specialist advisers ‘phone or online, or sharing experiences with others facing the same challenges on our online Forum and Chat Room, gives them all the help they need, but for others local face to face support plays a vital part in turning their lives around.
“We don’t judge and we help callers find whatever support they need, whether that is face to face or other practical help, such as debt advice. We know that there are more people out there who need help so I’m particularly pleased to announce this expansion in our services.”
Nigel Howells, Chief Executive, East Lindsey District Council, said:
“We are delighted to be able assist with the development of Gamcare counselling services in East Lindsey. One of our key corporate ambitions is to improve the quality of life for all of our residents and the delivery of these services will help us to achieve our ambitions for the District. As one of the sixteen authorities chosen to licence a casino under the 2005 Gambling Act, we take responsible gambling seriously and welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with GamCare and Breakeven in meeting the needs of problem gamblers.”
Press contact:
Eileen Kinghan, GamCare, 020 7801 7003, eileen@gamcare.org.uk
James Gilbert, East Lindsey District Council, 01507 329583, james.gilbert@e-lindsey.gov.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. GamCare, established in 1997, is a registered charity and the leading national authority on the provision of counselling, advice and practical help for anyone experiencing or affected by problem gambling. GamCare’s immediate, confidential one-to-one support services, available 8am to midnight, are the telephone HelpLine (365 days of the year) and online NetLine. Also online we have a Forum and ChatRoom. We deliver free counselling face to face at two locations in London, in Manchester, nationally through a network of partner agencies, and online. We train our Partners in treating problem gambling and fund them to deliver support to anyone who needs it. For more information about GamCare and how it is funded, and for problem gambling statistics go to http://www.gamcare.org.uk/pages/faqs.html.
2. Anyone concerned about the amount of time or money that they or someone close to them is spending gambling can talk direct and in confidence to an adviser from 8am to midnight on our HelpLine 0845 6000 133 and its equivalent online, NetLine at www.gamcare.org.uk. We take a non-judgemental approach and offer one to one immediate advice and support, as well as information about how to access local counselling and other relevant services such as money advice. GamCare’s counselling is integrative and tailored to the individual’s needs. Reasons for continuing to gamble despite negative consequences can be complex and gambling sometimes can offer a means of escape from seemingly intolerable thoughts and feelings. Our counsellors employ a range of therapeutic approaches to facilitate discovery of the underlying reasons for the problem gambling behaviour, with the intention of achieving long term change.
3. East Lindsey District Council was one of eight local authorities selected to licence a small casino under the 2005 Gambling Act. In partnership with Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Enterprise and Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust a total of £10,000 was contributed to assist with the set-up costs associated with the service.