Making a Difference: The Role of Our Online Peer Support Volunteers
Volunteers’ Week celebrates the incredible contributions of those who dedicate their time to support others. Hear from one of our Online Peer Supporters and Team Leaders about their journeys with GamCare and learn how you can make a difference as a volunteer.
Our Online Peer Support service launched in March 2024, with 17 incredible volunteers now part of our team and growing. We can’t thank our volunteers enough for their hard work and dedication in providing support to those affected by gambling harm.
Patsy, one of our dedicated Online Peer Supporters, shares why she became involved as a volunteer:
“My son experienced gambling harm for nine years, and during that time I reached out to GamCare in 2019 in a few ways. I had some one-on-one sessions in person in London and also had some invaluable conversations with the Helpline. I was dealing with the burden on my own and GamCare was the only charity that helped at that time. I needed someone to just listen to me and my pain.
Today, life is very different for both me and my son. He’s been gamble-free for seventeen months due to engaging in support from a number of associations, including GamCare. I’m passionate about helping parents and loved ones to feel supported using my experience and knowledge.”
Our Online Peer Support Team Leader shares how life changed for them after they accessed support for their gambling:
“My life has completely changed since accessing support and reaching out. When I was gambling, I was very unhappy with my life, worried all the time with no ambition to do anything but gamble. I was working in a job I found unfulfilling, had lost a lot of friends due to my gambling, and had strained relationships with those close to me.
Since reaching out for support, I’ve managed to finish university, move into my own home, start a family, and start working for GamCare supporting others who were, and are, in similar situations to myself years ago. I don’t think I could have done that on my own without the support GamCare provided me with when I was struggling.”
What is involved with being an Online Peer Supporter?
Our Online Peer Supporters provide one-to-one and group support to both individuals who gamble and those affected by someone else’s gambling. Using their own experiences of gambling-related harms, volunteers will support others digitally as part of our Online Support Services and will include email support as well as facilitating our Forum and Chatrooms.
Full training and ongoing support are provided to enable volunteers to use their lived experience.
What is the training like?
“The sessions have been brilliant! Super well done! Great planning, the sessions are so well structured, clear and make learning enjoyable. The team are genuine, down-to-earth people and that really comes across in their delivery.”
“As it was the first session for the Peer Support, I thought both trainers were very clear open, honest and supportive of us all. I feel even more sure about my future career move into preventing and supporting people with gambling harm.”
Help us continue to make a difference. Join us an Online Peer Supporter!
If you need support right now, our National Gambling Helpline is available 24/7. Talk to one of our trained Advisers for free and confidentially on the phone or via live chat.
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