GambleAware has once more engaged the Scottish charitable organization Fast Forward to oversee the Scottish Gambling Education Hub for a period of three years, concluding in October 2024.
Since its establishment in 2018, Fast Forward has been responsible for the center’s operations. They have collaborated with young individuals and their guardians to heighten awareness regarding the hazards associated with gambling. They have also ensured that center personnel are well-equipped to provide counsel on mitigating gambling-related harm and offer guidance and assistance to those in need.
To date, the center has provided training to staff members from over 550 distinct organizations spanning all 32 local authorities in Scotland. These entities encompass schools, colleges, universities, youth groups, and family service agencies.
With financial backing from GambleAware, the center will persist in ensuring that children, adolescents, and families in Scotland have access to gambling education, prevention opportunities, and resources.
GambleAware has indicated that they will also be implementing modifications to the project’s framework to guarantee that partners, practitioners, and policymakers maintain their focus on this matter.
This will involve providing more customized gambling prevention and education instruction for professionals and practitioners, as well as expanding existing instruction and resources, and increasing the availability of gambling harm awareness and support tools.
The center will also continue to collaborate with the Scottish Gambling Education Network (SGEN) to expand its reach, including hosting a new national gathering in 2022.
“Fast Forward has demonstrated its worth as a key partner in preventing gambling harm among young people in Scotland,” said Dr. Jane Rigby, Head of Prevention at GambleAware. “Considering the success of the work that has been done, continuation is essential.
“The Scottish Education Center has interacted with young people, parents, communities, and youth workers in a meaningful and creative manner for many years to deliver unique programs.
“We are pleased to further support their efforts in prevention and education and anticipate the release of an independent assessment of the program’s work in 2022.”
Ellie Cherry Burns, CEO of Fast Forward, added: “Fast Forward’s work supports young people to make informed decisions about risk-taking behavior, leading to positive lifelong health outcomes.
“Gambling has become widespread in our communities, with many young people being affected by their own gambling or the gambling of their parents, caregivers, or family members.”
The Scottish Gambling Education Hub will continue to collaborate with youth, guardians, and educators to educate them about the risks associated with wagering. They will also ensure these individuals have access to assistance when required.
This is positive news as GambleAware is planning to establish new gambling education facilities in England and Wales. They will invest a significant amount of funds in this endeavor, approximately 2.9 million euros. These new centers will mirror the existing one in Scotland.
GambleAware also provided substantial financial support to a team of researchers to investigate the impact of gambling on women. Their objective is to gain a deeper understanding of how women experience gambling-related issues.