• Business
  • Business News
  • Video
  • Contact
Aycliffe Today
Aycliffe Today
  • Business
  • Business News
  • Video
  • Contact
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
Home
News

£750,000 to tackle gambling-related harm in the North-East

May 15th, 2023 Martin Walker News 0 comments 0

Local authorities in the North-East have secured funding to help tackle gambling-related harm in the region.

The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) for the North-East has successfully bid for £750,000 from the Gambling Commission’s Regulatory Settlements Fund to develop a regional three-year pilot programme dedicated to exploring effective ways to reduce the harm caused by gambling.

Gambling-related harms can have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities, and society.

They can cause loss of employment, debt, crime, breakdown of relationships and deterioration of physical and mental health. At its worst, gambling can contribute to loss of life through suicide.

Harms can be experienced not just by gamblers themselves. They can also affect their children, partners, wider families and social networks, employers, communities and society as a whole.

The funding will be used to develop new ways of supporting those affected. This could include the development of awareness campaigns, training resources for staff or new ways to refer people for treatment.

People who have experienced gambling harms will be involved in the development of the programme, and their experiences will help to shape the support on offer.

Amanda Healy, director of Public Health at Durham County Council and chair for ADPH North-East, said: “Evidence has shown the North East has higher rates of gambling-related harms than any other region, so we welcome this funding which will enable us to help our most affected communities in the best possible way.

“We are looking forward to working with like-minded partners across the region and are grateful for their support in developing the programme.”

Part of the funding will be used to independently evaluate the programme.

The evaluation work will be led by researchers from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria.

The research will include working with people who have experienced gambling-related issues and measuring the impact of the programme on harm reduction, harm prevention and improvement in health and wellbeing.

Sarah Bowman-Abouna, director of Public Health at Stockton Borough Council and Department of Public Health sponsor for gambling-related harms, said: “Harms associated with gambling are negatively affecting people and their loved ones in our region.

“This funding from the Gambling Commission’s Regulatory Settlement Fund will enable the North-East to build capacity and resilience with regards to addressing gambling harms over the next three years.

“We will take a public health approach to this work, focussing on prevention and promotion within a whole systems approach.”

Professor Eileen Kaner, director of the NIHR ARC North-East and North Cumbria, is leading the research team based at Newcastle University.

She said: “This is a really important piece of work for our region, and we’re very pleased that the funding bid was successful.

“Harmful gambling is a serious public health issue, as well as a very complex issue. It’s a particular concern in the North-East and is closely interlinked with other inequalities we experience in our region, including around difficult living circumstances, existing mental health conditions, lower quality of life and substance misuse.

“Our work to evaluate this pilot programme will help us to develop new evidence around what works when it comes to reducing harm, which can be used by policy makers to shape new and more effective support programmes for the future.”

Share it!

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Next article Local runners organise business park litter pick
Previous article Aycliffe Cricket round-up

Related News

News

Chaos reigns as Durham County Council announces new cabinet after just 100 days

The leader of Durham County Council, Cllr Andrew Husband, has announced details of his new cabinet, following...
News

Get on board with bus travel this September

Residents are being encouraged to take advantage of discount bus fares in County Durham as part of a...
News

PCC urges the public to play their part to stop drink and drug driving

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is backing a national charity’s efforts to increase reporting of...

LATEST VIDEO

This week on A.T

Sep 23rd 1:40 PM
Community

Fun and Food scheme benefits thousands of children in County Durham

Sep 22nd 4:18 PM
Business

NC Group: Building the future workforce of Aycliffe’s engineering sector

Sep 18th 4:49 PM
Sport

Newton Aycliffe Juniors round-up

Sep 18th 9:44 AM
Business

How Senstronics culture has nurtured life-changing career for Jack

Sep 17th 12:47 PM
Community

Helping to create thriving communities across County Durham

Sep 17th 10:30 AM
Business

Strategic expansion for family firm as industrial suppliers set up shop in Aycliffe

Sep 16th 9:01 PM
Sport

Aycliffe prepare for FA Trophy trip

Sep 16th 3:09 PM
News

Chaos reigns as Durham County Council announces new cabinet after just 100 days

Sep 16th 10:47 AM
Sport

Aycliffe Cricket round-up

Sep 15th 4:27 PM
Community

Newton Aycliffe school children celebrating new facilities

Recommend
Follow @AycliffeToday
  • Business
  • Business News
  • Video
  • Contact
  • Back to top
© Aycliffe Today 2019. All rights reserved.
Developed by Thrive

Get our latest news direct to your inbox every Friday - subscribe to our free e-newsletter today.

Subscribe Now