UK charities launch new framework for gambling harm education

[Hannman]

Leading anti-gambling charities have launched a new framework for the UK’s education sector to use when educating young people about gambling harm.

The charities, GamCare, Ygam and Fast Forward, say they will provide evidence-based principles for use by educators in its Gambling Education Framework.
Charity representatives say the principles developed were free of industry funding or influence.

The principles are designed for teaching young people between the ages of 7 and 24 – in paid and voluntary teaching environments – covering both formal and informal settings. The framework is, therefore, designed for use both in and out of schools.

Charities have established this framework with input from the Gambling Prevention Education Forum, which includes organisations delivering gambling prevention education to children.
Alongside their new framework, GamCare, Ygam and Fast Forward have pledged to deliver their own education services in line with the framework, acting as ambassadors of best practice.

GamCare CEO Anna Hemmings said: “The framework builds on our existing work with young people and highlights the need for evidence-based solutions that are straightforward, accessible, and scalable.
“The framework will support professionals to raise the conversation about gambling harms and ensure education on this issue gains parity with education about other risky behaviours.”

 

[CR7]

I think it's excellent to see leading anti-gambling charities taking the initiative to develop a new framework for educating young people about gambling harm. The fact that the principles were developed without any industry funding or influence is a crucial step in ensuring the integrity and impartiality of the framework.

The age range of 7 to 24 is a comprehensive one, covering a significant portion of young people who may be vulnerable to gambling harm. By targeting both formal and informal educational settings, such as schools and youth organizations, the framework has the potential to reach a wide audience and have a lasting impact on raising awareness about the risks associated with gambling.

It's also commendable that the charities took input from the Gambling Prevention Education Forum, which includes other organizations involved in delivering gambling prevention education to children. This collaborative approach ensures a well-rounded perspective and increases the chances of a comprehensive and effective framework.

Furthermore, the commitment of GamCare, Ygam, and Fast Forward to deliver their own education services in line with the framework demonstrates their dedication to promoting best practices. By acting as ambassadors for this new approach, they are setting an example for other organizations and helping to ensure that young people receive consistent and evidence-based education on gambling harm.

Overall, this framework is an important step forward in addressing gambling harms in the UK. By providing educators with clear guidelines and evidence-based principles, it will help raise awareness, promote informed decision-making, and empower young people to make healthier choices when it comes to gambling.