GamCare - Young People’s Support Service
GamCare recognises that gambling can be harmful to both physical and mental health, and can also have a variety of impacts for family members and friends which extend far beyond financial concerns. For young people who are affected, this could mean a detrimental impact on their education, their home life, and beyond.
GamCare’s Young People’s Service can support anyone aged 18 and under across the UK (including Northern Ireland) who is either ‘at risk’ of or experiencing harms because of gambling. This can be if they are gambling themselves, or if they are affected by someone else’s gambling.
Our service is free, flexible and confidential, and will ensure that each young person receives the most appropriate support for them. We can provide a menu of options for young people so they can find the right support at the right time, including:
- Information, advice and guidance through our National Gambling Helpline (over the phone or via live chat)
- Brief or Extended Brief Interventions (this can be just one call, or a series of calls to check in on how they are doing)
- Self-help tools
- Structured Interventions tailored to the young person’s needs
We will ensure:
- we listen to and understand the needs of every young person who is worried about gambling
- young people are directed to the most appropriate support to suit their needs
- each young person is at the centre of their support plan
- we work collaboratively with family members and other support networks wherever possible
- we signpost and refer to other services as needed, and we work alongside other agencies supporting each young person
Young people, and anyone worried about a young person and gambling, can get in touch:
- via the National Gambling Helpline – 24 hours a day on Freephone 0808 80 20 133, or via live chat – this can be accessed here, or via our dedicated website for young people, parents and teachers at BigDeal.org.uk
- by emailing YoungPeopleService@gamcare.org.uk (we aim to respond by the next working day)
- by calling 020 3902 6964
- through the brief referral form (click here to access)