Gambling Harm Reduction Resources from Fast Forward
Our recent partnership with Gambling Harm Reduction charity Fast Forward resulted in some incredibly insightful reflections and questions from our attendees across the library and information sector. Afterwards, session facilitator Donna Brunton followed up with some helpful and creative resources that can be used to both deepen understanding about what harms exist and provide suitable support for those dealing with gambling harm.
Donna shared the details of a Gambling Education Fund in which groups can earn up to £500 to create and run your own gambling education and prevention initiative. If you have an idea for a project to raise awareness or increase understanding of gambling harm, they want to hear from you! To read more and apply, please click here.
Also shared with delegates post-webinar was a very recent report from the Department of Culture, Media & Sport, High Stakes: Gambling Reform for the Digital Age. Click here to read the report. In particular, the chapter starting on page 80 that highlights new marketing and advertising information was cited to attendees.
One part of the discussion highlighted the impact of this type of direct harm on marginalised communities, with this report Gambling among adults from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities: a secondary data analysis of the Gambling Treatment and Support study being signposted to members. You can read the report here.
Throughout the session we were also shown some videos that were commissioned by Fast Forward to explain some of the different types of gambling, including lesser acknowledged forms such as loot boxes in video games. See below for a selection of video resources and podcasts:
Claire’s story: My son’s addiction to gaming and loot boxes
Trust Me, a Fast Forward Project
Billie, a Fast Forward Project
This year, Fast Forward released their updated Gambling Harm Education Toolkit, which you can click here to access.
And finally, Fast Forward are funded to provide workshops about identifying gambling harm and how to best signpost to support, all with an evidence-based practice (we love to see it). If you would like to get in touch about any of the resources or to arrange training for your staff or service, which would be suitable for many across the sector, please click here to get in touch. Many thanks to Donna and Fran from Fast Forward for facilitating such a helpful session for our members, and thank you to those who attended and made it such an interactive and great session!