Cambridge United Community Trust (CUCT) is keen to be a positive influence in the battle against gambling harms, and has linked up with gambling support charities GamCare and Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) to help tackle the issue in a new campaign called ‘Kick the Habit’. The collaboration will focus initially on two key tracks – awareness and prevention.
The awareness strand of the work will see CUCT use social media channels to promote a series of articles, podcasts and interviews, exploring the consequences of gambling problems and educating on the issue. Cambridge United legend John Taylor is our lead ambassador in supporting this campaign and he says “Admitting you have a problem is the hardest part. The next steps to recovery are you talking to someone about your addiction and then having people there to listen to you”. GamCare provides the non-judgemental, listening ear that John is referring to 24 hours a day through the National Gambling Helpline (over the phone or via live chat) as well as connecting you with others in similar situations through their online group chatrooms and Forum. GamCare and their partners also provide a range of support services across the country, including with charity Breakeven across Cambridgeshire.
The prevention side of the work will be in partnership with YGAM and involve delivering sessions in schools to educate young people on the dangers of problem gambling and gaming addiction. This will touch on the issues surrounding ‘loot boxes’, virtual treasure chests containing undisclosed items that are paid for with real money, which are now prevalent in many popular games including the FIFA series.
Community Trust Wellbeing Manager Vicky Neal said about ‘Kick the Habit’ “We want to be able to support individuals that are affected by gambling, either themselves or someone they are close to, by signposting them to the support GamCare offers, as well as educate our younger generations on the topic of addiction & gambling with support from YGAM’.
If the issues raised by our ‘Kick the Habit’ campaign affect you or someone close to you and think your story could be helpful in raising awareness about problem gambling, please get in touch with Vicky at CUCT via email vicky.neal@cambridge-united.co.uk.
Contact the National Gambling Helpline 24 hours a day on Freephone 0808 80 20 133 or live chat via www.GamCare.org.uk