“Driving Change – a Tour to Reduce Gambling Harm” is coming to Orkney

Free drop-in events are being held in Orkney to highlight the support available in Scotland around gambling harm. 

In conjunction with the Orkney Community Justice Partnership, “Driving Change – a Tour to Reduce Gambling Harm” is being brought to the county by Fast Forward, Scotland’s Gambling Education Hub, and the RCA Trust, which provides community-based alcohol and gambling related prevention and treatment services in Scotland. 

There will be resources, information and presentations for practitioners and anyone supporting people who could be at risk of gambling harm. There is also the opportunity for people to attend and talk about their own, or someone else’s gambling, in a safe space with a treatment provider.  

The drop-in sessions are at the Kirkwall Town Hall meeting room on Wednesday 11 September 2024. The first from 10am –12noon is for practitioners and the second part, from 12 noon – 2pm is for those impacted by gambling harm personally or through a family member or friend. 

If you are looking for further input from Fast Forward during their time in Orkney, please message sgeh@fastforward.org.uk. Options for virtual sessions after the visit are also possible. 

Francesca Howard, Programme Manager Fast Forward said: “Raising awareness of gambling harm and supporting others to recognise harm is our main aim at Fast Forward. Often people only consider financial harm when they think of gambling and the connections between gambling and relationship breakdown, mental health and the impact on the people around them get overlooked. 

“We might not think that gambling harm is something that the people we support or know are struggling with, but we cannot be sure if we aren’t asking the right questions. Fast Forward is coming to Orkney to be present in the community and support it anyway it can. We will be on hand to offer free education, resources and awareness raising, as well as a drop-in clinic with our partner treatment and support provider RCA Trust. Be curious and come say hello.” 

Maria Welsh, from the RCA Trust, said: “The RCA Trust provides free and confidential specialist support to anyone at risk of or experiencing gambling related harm across Scotland and operates as part of the National Gambling Support Network in partnership with GamCare. 

“Through events such as these we hope to engage with all aspects of the criminal justice system aiming to equip learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to tackle gambling related harm at a variety of touch points. But importantly, we are also here to support people’s recovery through addiction.”  

 Matt Webb, Orkney’s Community Justice Coordinator, said: “Gambling is often overlooked as a hidden addiction in Scotland, and like other addictions can lead to instance of criminal behaviour and reoffending. 

“The value of support being made available to anyone struggling with an addiction, or indeed their families, cannot be overstated and I am grateful that Fast Forward and the RCA Trust are once again supporting Orkney with this free training.”