Online Peer Support Service

Gambling can impact on your life in many ways. Some things you may want to chat about with our volunteers include: 

• Stopping or reducing gambling or supporting someone who is doing so 
• Worry and Stress  
• Financial difficulties 
• Relationships  
• Emotional Wellbeing  

If you have any questions about what the service can support you with or would like to discuss alternative support, you can speak to an Adviser on the National Gambling Helpline who can explore the different support available.

You can exchange up to 3 emails per week with your volunteer for up to 6 months.  

Yes. Whatever you say will be just between you and the GamCare team.  Our Online Peer Supporters do sometimes need to discuss their work with the staff team, including our volunteer coordinators and service managers to ensure we are providing the most appropriate support. All our emails are screened by our Lived Experience before being sent on to our volunteers so we can make sure you are getting the support you need.   

We only share information about you with others if:   

• you ask us to;  
• we believe your life, or someone else’s life, is in danger;  
• you’re being hurt by someone in a position of trust, like a partner, carer or friend;  
• you tell us that you’re seriously harming another person / people.  

More details can be found here.

Yes. Our Online Peer Support Volunteers are made up of a mixture of people with lived experience through their own gambling and being affected by someone else’s gambling. 

We will need your contact details and some basic information about you, including a summary of your situation/motivation for accessing this support. You can complete the self-referral form or talk through the referral with an Adviser on the National Gambling Helpline. 

No, we will need your contact details and some basic information about you and your situation before you can access support through the Online Peer Support Service. If you do not feel comfortable with this and are looking for anonymous support you can contact our National Gambling Helpline to talk to a trained advisor anonymously who can listen and help you with your situation. You can also access our chatrooms and forums anonymously to access peer support with others who have similar experiences.   

No. This service aims to provide you the opportunity to connect with others who have had similar experiences to what you are currently experiencing, with the hope of encouraging you to access further support, reach short-term goals, and improve your wellbeing. If you would like to access local treatment or alternative support, please contact the National Gambling Helpline who can help you explore what support is right for you. 

Yes. The Online Peer Support Service can be accessed alongside other support services as a way to connect with others in a similar situation and support your ongoing journey. 

The service is open to those who are looking to stop or reduce their gambling and those who have already done so as well as people who have been affected by someone else gambling, whether that be current or in the past.