GamCare launches online support group for women affected by gambling

A charity dedicated to the gaming industry, GamCare has launched a new online support group aimed at women affected by third-party gaming.

Way Forward, the charity said, will provide a safe and confidential space for women to share their experiences, with each week of the initiative focused on the impact of different areas of harm to gambling.

Online group meetings will take place via the remote meetings app, Zoom, every Tuesday for a period of six weeks, starting October 18. Sessions will be led by professionals who specialize in supporting women affected by gambling-related harm.

The first session will introduce the program and offer an overview of upcoming groups, with the first part complete on November 1st to understand the gambling addictions and financial implications.

Future groups will focus on participants taking care of themselves, dealing with any guilt and shame, anger and resentment, and having difficult, emotional conversations.

The latest initiative comes after GamCare announced last month that it would partner with the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust and Fast Forward to launch a new framework to help educate young people in the UK about the harms of excessive gambling.

Designed for use in the education sector, the Gambling Education Framework provides a set of evidence-based principles to provide effective gaming education for anyone working with youth ages seven to 24.

The framework can be used in formal and informal settings, including schools, and was established with input from the Gambling Prevention Education Forum, which includes organizations that provide education on gambling prevention or train professionals to deliver it.

About GamCare

GamCare is the premier provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling-related harm. The group operates the National Gambling Helpline, provides treatment for anyone harmed by gambling, raises awareness of safer gambling and treatments, and encourages an effective approach to safer gambling in the industry. GamCare was founded in 1997 by Paul Bellringer.