“My one regret? Not doing it sooner!”

This Volunteers’ Week, we’re shining a spotlight on the work of our incredible Online Peer Supporters. We spoke with Nigel and Martin, two volunteers who have experienced gambling harms and now use their experiences to help others.

“My one regret? Not volunteering sooner,” says Nigel, who has been an Online Peer Supporter for over a year.

“Volunteering with GamCare felt like a natural fit, given I’ve experienced the harm that gambling brings from both sides.

“I was addicted from an early age until turning my life around with a career change. I became a croupier and went on to various other roles in the gambling industry.

“That experience and the desire to pass on any words of wisdom to others experiencing harm, in the hope of making a real difference there, is what inspired me to get started.”

Volunteer Online Peer Supporters use their own experiences of gambling-related harms to support others through one or more of our peer support spaces.

Whether it’s exchanging regular emails with someone for a few months, facilitating discussion in our chatrooms, or responding to posts in our forums, these volunteers offer encouragement and motivation to those experiencing gambling harms – either through their own gambling or that of a loved one.

Making a real difference

For Nigel, seeing people benefit from his emails has been “tremendously rewarding”.

“While working in retail might be rewarding for some, it did little in terms of providing any value or any sense of purpose in my life. Now I feel I’m making a real difference outside of work and in the world beyond myself.

“Being able to share my own experience of gambling harm with others has had a positive effect on my mental health, too.

“Rather than hide my past and feel some shame around that internally, I’ve been able to come to terms with it through the sharing process. Am I a more grounded and happier person as a result? Absolutely!”

A sense of purpose

It’s a feeling shared by Martin, who started volunteering with GamCare to help people going through some of the same experiences he’s faced.

“Volunteering has built my own confidence and given me a renewed sense of purpose and value – things I’d lost when I was gambling.

“I know how lonely and tough it can be in the throes of addiction. If I could use my experience to help others, as I’ve been helped, it was something I definitely wanted to do.

“It was a lengthy process to get started, as I had to disclose my criminal conviction and prison sentence for theft, related to my gambling addiction. But all the staff were great and really supportive whilst they did references and training.”

For Martin, the most rewarding part is being there for people when they’re in a dark place.

“I think it’s important for people to know they’re not alone when they are going through tough times. It can feel hopeless sometimes, so just being there and being encouraging and uplifting is really rewarding.”

Taking a step

For both volunteers, being an online peer supporter has been transformational.

“If you’re thinking of volunteering – I’d say, take the step,” says Martin. “You’ve nothing to lose, and you (and those you support) have so much to gain.”

“Feeling like my life was stuck in a routine at the time meant I had to find the motivation to apply from somewhere, but I’m so glad I did,” said Nigel.

“You’ll soon realise that the support you are providing is making a huge difference to people’s lives. There’s no bigger incentive to volunteer than that, so just go for it!”

Could you use your lived experience of gambling harms to support others? Find out more about becoming a Volunteer Online Peer Supporter and apply today.