- At risk individuals engaged with awareness-raising and early intervention support, as well as receiving targeted information and services related to gambling harms
- Community based organisations engaging with people living in the most deprived areas, as well as those from marginalised and ethnically diverse backgrounds, are being empowered to tackle gambling harm
- GambleAware’s multi-year and flexible funding approaches have enabled organisations to deliver more effective, community-led responses to gambling harms
GambleAware has today published its second independent evaluation report produced by Ipsos concerning the achievements and learnings from its Community Resilience Fund (CRF), the charity’s first grant-making initiative open to organisations outside of the gambling harms system.
For a second year, the report highlights the continued support for marginalised and ethnic minority communities disproportionately affected by gambling harms, with an estimated 13,880 people reached with awareness-raising and early intervention support.
The CRF was initially launched by GambleAware in summer 2022 and has seen a total of £2.2 million funded in response to the cost-of-living crisis.
Grants have supported the development of outreach campaigns, culturally tailored counselling and support groups, multilingual resources, lived experience mentorships, financial literacy and resilience training, as well as youth workshops and awareness podcasts in prisons and to the wider public. These interventions have been delivered through trusted organisations deeply rooted in their community, including foodbanks, women’s centres, housing services, and sports foundations, and often in partnership with local services, educational institutions, and faith networks.
In addition, more than 1,200 individuals received targeted information and services related to gambling harms. Participating organisations reported increased awareness, reduced stigma, and greater engagement with support services. Projects also reported significant improvements in staff knowledge and confidence, stronger local partnerships, and better integration of gambling harms support into existing services. These developments are critical for early identification and long-term prevention.
Evaluation findings highlight the importance of GambleAware’s multi-year funding, capacity strengthening equitable funding approaches. This has meant that the organisations funded could iterate and build their work as they learnt more about how the community they serve is affected by gambling harms and created strong pathways in and out of services.
Anna Hargrave, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Commissioning and Strategy Officer for GambleAware, said: “The effects of gambling harm can grip anyone, and having grassroots, community focused organisations that can reach individuals at risk, is vital.
“The Community Resilience Fund is here for that very reason, so that we can reach the people who need support most. We’re really pleased that funded projects have been able to reach thousands of people, especially those from underrepresented communities who might not otherwise seek support.
“With the fund in its final phase of delivery, it is hugely important there is recognition of the sector’s growing shift from fragmented services to whole-system responses, and that protection against gambling harms requires joint ownership across public health, lived experience, communities, and systems.”
The fund has enabled eleven, wide ranging organisations to deliver targeted, culturally aware, and often pioneering responses to gambling harms. Most funded organisations have experience engaging with people living in the most deprived areas, as well as those from marginalised and ethnically diverse backgrounds.
This includes organisations like Al Hurraya in the Midlands and the Shama Women’s Centre in Leicester, both of which work closely with Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, and Refugee communities by offering culturally sensitive gambling harm support and works to address barriers such as stigma and language. Similarly, Yellow Scarf in the West Midlands provides native-language therapy and outreach for Eastern European communities, while the Big Issue Foundation supports Roma communities and street vendors across the UK, addressing a wide range of vulnerabilities including homelessness, poverty, mental health challenges, and addiction.
Al-Hurraya Operations Manager and CRF Project Manager, Manjit Bajwa, said: “I'd like to extend a huge thank you to GambleAware for this invaluable opportunity to continue our vital work with ethnically diverse communities.
“We are deeply committed to raising awareness and reducing harm associated with gambling. We've been fortunate to work closely with our communities, offering both individual counselling and crucial family support.
“We also greatly appreciate the chance to share best practices and learning with our esteemed partners, including EPIC Restart Foundation and Shama Women's Centre in the East Midlands, as part of the CRF Project."
If you are worried about your gambling or someone else’s, you can reach out to the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133. It's available 24/7 and offers free, confidential advice, tools, and support.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About the CRF
The Community Resilience Fund (CRF) – also referred to as ‘the fund’ or ‘the programme’ – was initially launched by GambleAware in summer 2022 as a £1.2 million fund in response to the cost-of-living crisis. In 2023 we allocated an additional £1m to extend of 11 of the original portfolio of 21 projects.
While GambleAware was an established commissioner for gambling research, prevention, support and treatment services, the CRF was the first of a series of Innovation based funding programmes delivered by GambleAware.
Organisations Funded
The eleven organisations that received funding are as follows:
- Al Hurraya
- Big Issue Foundation
- Blackburn Foodbank
- Coram's Field
- Epic Restart Foundation
- Hull FC Rugby Community Sports and Education Foundation
- Prison Radio Association
- Reframe Coaching
- Sharma Women’s Centre
- Simon Community Scotland
- Yellow Scarf
About GambleAware
GambleAware is the leading independent charity (Charity No. England & Wales 1093910, Scotland SC049433) and strategic commissioner of gambling harm, education, prevention, and treatment across Great Britain to keep people safe from gambling harms.
GambleAware commissions the National Gambling Support Network (NSGN) which provides free confidential treatment, as well as the National Gambling Helpline which takes over 55,000 calls a year.
The charity is independent and evidence-based, with a robust governance process in place to ensure the industry has absolutely no input or influence on our work.
Gambling harms can affect anyone, and not just those who gamble, but also their families and communities. These harms particularly affect communities that already face inequality.
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