The following organisations offer support and advice for people affected by gambling. A Word document can be downloaded for printing here.

Support Directory (Scotland)

October 2024

This directory begins with links to organisations specialising in support for people suffering from gambling harms. This is followed by links to support issues that can accompany gambling harms.

SPECIALIST SUPPORT

GamCare https://www.gamcare.org.uk/ Tel: 0808 8020 133 (24 hours/ 7 days)

Be Gamble Aware https://www.begambleaware.org/finding-the-right-support Tel:0808 8020 133

GamCare give direct support to Glasgow and Edinburgh citizens. Outside these cities RCA Trust provide support
Tel: 0141 887 0880 www.rcatrust.org.uk

Gamblers Anonymous Scotland (24/7 support) https://gascotland.org/ Tel: 0370 050 8881

SMART Recovery https://smartrecovery.org.uk/

Both of these organisations have websites which offer support. They hold regular local face-to-face meetings with others in recovery, and online meetings.

In Glasgow there are three addiction recovery communities which are run by people sharing their recoveries. North West: https://nwrc-glasgow.co.uk/ North East: https://www.northeastrecoverycommunity-glasgow.co.uk/ South: http://scrn-recovery.co.uk/

These three communities work together. Regular meetings and events bring people with lived experience together.

The Scottish Recovery Consortium works across Scotland to bring recovery organisations together. They can advise on groups operating in localities across the country. https://scottishrecoveryconsortium.org/

GamLEARN is a user-founded and user-led organisation. Their website includes a link to join regular online support meetings. https://gamlearn.org.uk

thrivin’ together is a safe space for women affected by gambling. https://www.thrivintogether.org.uk

GamFam for affected families and affected others https://gamfam.org.uk/

NHS Scotland https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/addictions/problem-gambling

Self-exclusion and software to block access to gambling sites

Recover Me www.recovermeapp.co.uk

Gamstop https://gamstop.co.uk
Gamban https://gamban.com/

Parent Zone (children and gaming/gambling) https://parentzone.org.uk/article/pressure-to-spend

The Scottish Gambling Education Hub has a section for parents and families https://gamblingeducationhub.fastforward.org.uk/resources/family-area/

DEBT

Many of the problems arising from gambling are related to finance and debt. The National Debt Line and StepChange can help. Martin Lewis (Money Saving Expert) has produced a good 40 pages guide to mental health and money which you can download, mentalhealthguidedebt-Oct-2020 Also, Turn2Us  offers valuable support.

Citizens Advice Scotland have trained staff and volunteers to help with gambling harms:

https://www.cas.org.uk/ 0800 028 1456 and https://www.cas.org.uk/spotlight/gambling-support-service

See also: Advice Scotland: https://www.advicescotland.com/find-your-local-advice-agency/glasgow/

EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND MOOD

https://www.samaritans.org/ 116 123 (24 hours 7 days a week)

https://breathingspace.scot/  0800 83 85 87

COPE Scotland https://www.copescotland.com

Very sadly some lives are lost to gambling. Support for those affected is here at Cruse Scotland: https://www.crusescotland.org.uk/ 0808 802 6161

The Scottish Women’s Convention has a page with a link to many support resources for women, Resources | Scottish Women’s Convention (scottishwomensconvention.org)

Support for men: Brothers in Arms https://www.brothersinarmsscotland.co.uk/

Men Matter https://www.menmatterscotland.org/

Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
0800 027 1234 (24-hour service) https://www.sdafmh.org.uk/en/

Refuge for women and children against domestic abuse             0808 2000 247 (24 hours 7 days a week) https://refuge.org.uk/

Spark provides counselling and mental health support services for individuals, couples, families, children and young people in Scotland. This includes a free and confidential helpline on 0808 802 2088 https://thespark.org.uk/

Relationship counselling: https://www.relationships-scotland.org.uk/

AMINA, The Muslim Women’s Support Centre, https://mwrc.org.uk/ 0808 801 0301

Support for Carers carersuk.org/scotland 0141 445 3070

HOUSING and HOMELESSNESS

The Simon Community Scotland provides information, advice, care, support, accommodation & homes to people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.They have specialist advice and support for gambling related harms. https://www.simonscotland.org/

Glasgow helpline: 0800 027 7466

SUBSTANCE ISSUES

Very often gambling harms occur with harms from alcohol and other hard drugs.

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs https://www.sfad.org.uk/ Helpline: 08080 10 10 11

Glasgow Council on Alcohol https://www.glasgowcouncilonalcohol.org/ 0808 802 9000

NHS Scotland Inform has links to support for harms arising from alcohol and other drugs, and other subjects such as abuse https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/alcohol/where-to-get-help