GambleAware continues commitment to Gambling Lived Experience Network
The latest grant of £375,000 (€428,217/$461,963) will be paid over three years and used to support the network’s development, with GLEN to operate independently of a development partner after this period.
This ongoing development will include the production of publications, tools and resources, researching and developing position statements and a consensus statement, all of which will support GLEN in the longer term.
In addition, the funds will allow GLEN to continue its policy and advocacy work including responding to consultations, taking part in political discussion and discourse, amplifying membership’s voice and releasing publications.
Community support
“As the largest network of its type, GLEN has diverse and democratic infrastructure allowing it to speak with a representative voice across the whole of Great Britain, underpinning GambleAware’s commitment to championing and supporting the lived experience community at large,” GambleAware chief executive Zoe Osmond said.
“GLEN’s continued contribution to our processes, their participation in the broader debate and discourse, and the network’s representatives’ attendance at events and visibility across the sector and in the community will allow GambleAware – and the whole sector – to be truly accountable to the lived experience community.”
GLEN’s acting chairperson David Quinti added: “As a network representing people who have lived experience of gambling harms in Great Britain, we want to support others in our community to come forward and amplify their voice through our network.
“GLEN is an independent voice of the gambling harm lived experience community, raising awareness and championing support for all people who have experienced gambling harms.
“We can truly make a difference and, by adding your voice to ours, together we can challenge stigma, break down barriers and collaborate to make a real difference in the sector and across Britain.”
Lived experience
The commitment comes after GambleAware last month established a new lived experience council, – a group of people impacted by gambling harms – to support its short- and long-term plans.
The lived experience council comprises people with lived experience of gambling harms, including those affected by other people’s gambling habits and will offer advice to GambleAware’s activities, programmes and strategic development.
Quinti, who has been in recovery from problem gambling for seven years, is a member of the new council, as is Mark Conway, another founding member of GLEN.