GambleAware announces recipients of the Community Resilience Fund

Last year, GambleAware launched the Community Resilience Fund in response to the cost-of-living crisis to help reduce health inequalities in the most disadvantaged communities. 

With research indicating that people in more deprived areas are three times more likely to experience gambling harms compared to those in the least deprived communities , GambleAware sought to provide funding that specifically targeted minoritized and marginalised groups to enhance the support they receive and ensure they have access to the right help and guidance to address gambling harm.

Organisations were invited to submit their applications for a grant of up to £100,000, which would allow them to assist their affected communities through education and awareness raising, and providing treatment, interventions, or other support. 

Twenty-two exciting new projects addressing inequalities within Great Britain have been chosen to receive funding after a rigorous selection process involving a panel of independent experts, including two lived experience members.

The organisations were selected based on their suggested programmes to tackle gambling harms, with many taking new and innovative approaches. These include sport for change approaches, podcast production, projects aiming to reduce stigma and a project collecting data around gambling harms within a foodbank.

Anna Hargrave, Chief Commissioning Officer, GambleAware said: “We're delighted to announce the recipients of the Community Resilience Fund. 

"The fund will allow GambleAware to support a range of fantastic community-based organisations, as they continue the vital work they do in addressing specific needs within their communities and the inequalities they experience.” 

“We already know that the cost-of-living crisis may lead to a rise in the number of people experiencing gambling harms. We are dedicated to enhancing the support we offer in addressing these issues. 
 
“The fund also presents a valuable opportunity to engage with communities across the country and tackle the stigma associated with speaking openly about the effect these harms can have.” 

One of the successful applicants was the IMO Charity. They support people from South Asian communities who are experiencing gambling harms due to the cost-of-living crisis by providing advisors through pop up services, mental health support, and delivering multilingual campaigns, among other activities.

Mohammed Sidat, IMO Charity Chief Executive Officer, said: “The opportunity for this comes at a great time where we can help and aid the community in an approachable and positive way through meaningful social impact. COVID has exacerbated the issue of financial implications along with the cost-of-living prices. 

"The fund will allow us to support the BAME community (black and minority ethnic) to break the stigma around gambling related harms. This will enable us to raise awareness through education and build confidence thorough having open conversations in regards to this topic and the support available.”

Alongside the IMO Charity, Coram’s Field were another project selected by GambleAware to receive a grant. They offer support to young people aged 13 to 19, and with the help of the CRF, will be expanding their current Youth Programme to enable targeted support to young people who find themselves most affected by the cost-of-living crisis as a result of gambling harms.

Evans Omondi, Coram’s Fields’ Youth Programme Manager, said: “With the support from GambleAware’s Community Resilience Fund, our Youth Programme will grow its reach and impact, providing targeted assistance to young people hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis and intensified gambling harms. 

"Through a three-step approach of outreach, trust-building, and individual support, we will empower our young people with the tools and confidence they need to make positive life choices. We are extremely excited to be able to start this work and looking forward to sharing the impact it will bring to the most disadvantaged youth in our community.”

The full list of successful projects includes Refugee Access, Wigan Warriors Community Foundation, Hull FC Rugby Community Sports and Education Foundation, Azad Kashmir Welfare Association, Yellow Scarf CIO, Reframe Coaching CIC, Solihull Moors Foundation, Alabare Christian Care & Support, Blackburn Foodbank, Age UK Westminster, Shama Women’s Centre, Al Hurraya, Prison Radio Association, Simon Community Scotland, Derbyshire Alcohol Advice Service, The Cedarwood Trust, Coram’s Field, IMO Charity, Just B (St Michael’s Hospice), Big Issue Foundation, Mind Suffolk, and Epic Restart Foundation.

The Community Resilience Fund will be evaluated throughout the funding period, with the final evaluation report expected in April 2024. IPSOS and NPC were recently appointed as the evaluation and learning partners to support the projects with their monitoring and learning goals, as well as provide an overall report on the delivery of the portfolio.