Cornwall is a popular tourist destination in the UK, known for its beautiful coastline, charming villages, and rich cultural heritage. However, like many other areas in the country, Cornwall is facing a growing problem with gambling. The increasing availability of online gambling, combined with a lack of awareness of the education and support available, has led to a rise in gambling harms in the region.
Did you know that Ara is the National Gambling Treatment Service for Cornwall?
We provide a variety of services throughout the county of Cornwall to help raise awareness of gambling harms, and to support people experiencing problems with their gambling.
Ara is a registered charity that has helped people across Wales and South West England to recover from addiction and related issues since 1987. Read on to find out more about our Cornwall services.
Gambling harms can take many forms, from financial problems and relationship breakdowns to physical and mental health issues. In extreme cases, gambling addiction can lead to homelessness, crime, and even suicide. The impact of gambling harms on individuals, families, and communities can be devastating and long-lasting.
If you are experiencing problems because of your gambling – or a family member is having problems – you are not alone. Estimates suggest that around 1.4 million people in the UK experience problems with gambling. Some common signs of gambling harms include:
Using gambling to cope with difficult emotions and life situations is a sign of harmful gambling.
Withdrawing from work, social or educational situations to gamble is another major warning sign that your gambling may have become a problem.
This is when you continue to gamble to try and win back money you have lost. This can lead to even greater losses and is a dangerous way to gamble.
Asking for money from friends and family but not stating it is for gambling, hiding how much you are gambling, or lying about the amount you have spent are signs that gambling may be harming your life.
Spending a large amount of time gambling, or thinking about gambling, especially when you should be concentrating on other activities such as work or school. Being distracted with plans to gamble is often an early warning sign of gambling harms.
If any of these signs resonate with you, or you’re worried about someone else who is exhibiting these signs, it’s worth getting in touch with us for a confidential chat.
We offer face to face counselling from our central Redruth offices, as well as phone and Zoom options to support people at times that are convenient to them.
As a member of the National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS), Ara works in partnership with GamCare. The National Gambling Treatment Service is a network of organisations working together to provide confidential treatment and support for anyone experiencing gambling-related harms, free to access across England Scotland and Wales.
Give our team a call on 0330 1340 286 and begin your recovery journey today! Alternatively you can fill in our Get Support form to get in touch.
One of the biggest challenges in addressing gambling harms in Cornwall is the lack of awareness and understanding of the issue. Many people are unaware of the risks and impacts associated with gambling, and as a result, they may not seek help when they need it. This is particularly true of vulnerable groups, such as young people and those with mental health problems, who may be at higher risk of developing a gambling addiction.
Another factor contributing to gambling harms in Cornwall is the availability of online gambling. The ease and convenience of online gambling has led to an increase in the number of people who are gambling, and this has contributed to the rise in gambling harms in the region. Online gambling can be particularly dangerous as it is often less regulated than traditional forms of gambling, and users may be at greater risk of becoming addicted.
In response to the growing problem of gambling harms in Cornwall, Ara is working with local authorities, organisations, and businesses to raise awareness of the issue and provide support to those who are affected. This includes educating the public about the risks and impacts of gambling, and providing access to support and treatment services for those who need help.
You can access our free workshops for your organisation by calling 0330 1340 286 (Ask for Adele) or by emailing aragamblingservice@recovery4all.co.uk.
Ara Young People’s Programme in collaboration with GamCare Big Deal is available free of charge throughout Cornwall.
Our aim is to educate young people so they can understand the risks related to gambling and where to get help. We offer these three FREE educational initiatives:
As well as gambling harming the gambler, research suggests that a further six to ten people are affected on average. This is true for Cornwall and the wider UK. In response to this, Ara set up the Six To Ten Project, in parternship with DrugFAM and Beacon Counselling Trust.
The Six To Ten Project puts affected others at the centre of care to help individuals overcome many of the challenges gambling harms present in everyday life.
Our mission is to create a free, holistic support and a safe space for those affected to help mitigate the harms through intervention, prevention and importantly building resilience for the future.
Through the Six To Ten Project individuals will work one to one with our dedicated specialist project/support workers receiving support for issues from housing, financial, legal to mental and physical wellbeing.
Our team will not only be there to find the right help for your needs, but broker and liaise with other organisations and professionals where possible to ensure the appropriate level of care, as and when needed.
To find out more about how Six To Ten can help you, call us on 0330 124 1274. As an affected other you are not alone.
In conclusion, gambling harms are a growing problem in Cornwall, and it is essential that we take action to address this issue. By raising awareness of the risks and impacts of gambling, and providing support and treatment services to those who are affected, we can help to reduce the harm caused by gambling in our communities.
Here are quick links to our services:
Get Support – free, confidential help, advice and counselling.
Young People’s Programme – free workshops for young people and education professionals.
The Six To Ten Project – free support for affected others.
Bet You Can Help – gambling harms awareness training for organisations.
