News
GamCare & Derman provide face to face help in Turkish and Kurdish
14 April 2010
Through a new partnership with Derman, a charity supporting the Kurdish, Turkish and Turkish Cypriot communities in London, GamCare's face to face counselling is now accessible to these communities.
GamCare has trained Derman’s own counsellors, who have the necessary language skills and cultural knowledge. Sensitive issues faced by those affected by problem gambling can now be addressed in the individual’s own language and with the specific expertise that GamCare’s experience brings.
The aim of GamCare counselling is to facilitate a long term solution, by exploring the motivation for problem gambling and ways of changing behaviour and by addressing the underlying issues.
Nursel Tas, Chief Executive Officer of Derman says:
“I am thrilled that Derman, in partnership with GamCare, can deliver this unique support. Problem gambling can affect anyone. Especially where huge debts are incurred, the stress and worry can distress the whole family. It’s important for anyone affected to talk to someone who’ll understand. Derman has been supporting the Kurdish, Turkish and Turkish Cypriot communities in London for almost 20 years. I’m delighted that, by combining GamCare’s expertise with our own specific knowledge, we will be able to help many people who otherwise may not have had access to this specialist service.”
To find out more, speak one to one and in confidence with a GamCare adviser on 0845 6000 133 or online at www.gamcare.org.uk (8am to 2am, English only) or go direct to Derman at 020 7613 5944 (English, Turkish and Kurdish).
GamCare Partners’ Manager, Kim Hartman says:
“I’m particularly pleased that GamCare is extending provision of specialist face to face counselling to meet the needs of these communities. I hope that our partnership with Derman will be a model for further such development.”
Press contacts:
Suna Guven, Mental Health Service Manager, Derman 020 7613 5944, suna@derman.org.uk
Eileen Kinghan, GamCare, 020 7801 7003, 07535 459 753, eileen.kinghan@gamcare.org.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 delivers free counselling face to face and one to one at two locations in London, in Manchester, nationally through a network of partner agencies, and online. The charity trains its Partners in treating problem gambling and funds 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 the HelpLine 0845 6000 133 and its equivalent online, NetLine at www.gamcare.org.uk. GamCare’s approach is non-judgemental. Support is available one to one or through the forum and chat room. Advisers can give information about how to access the nearest counselling locally or contacts for other relevant services such as debt help.
3. Derman, a registered charity, was set up in Hackney in 1991 by members of the Kurdish, Turkish and Turkish Cypriot communities in partnership with local GPs and health authority. The word ‘Derman’ has the same meaning in both Kurdish and Turkish – strength, solution, cure. The main purpose of Derman is to promote well-being and to improve the lives of Kurdish, Turkish and Turkish Cypriot people in Hackney. Derman provides holistic care for individuals and families through counselling, advocacy, welfare advice, and mental health support and outreach services. Derman’s vision is to provide culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate responsive services that effectively meet the needs of our communities. Derman has now become a GamCare partner to provide individual problem gambling counselling for gamblers and their families amongst these communities. www.derman.org.uk