TalkBanStop, a partnership campaign between Gamban, Gamcare and Gamstop, has secured an additional year of funding after receiving approval from the UK Gambling Commission.
The additional funding will allow TalkBanStop to continue providing free tools and support to those struggling with gambling problems until March 2023 after the initial 12-month pilot period.
All three organisations behind the project have stated they will seek additional long-term funding to continue the project, which has provided support to over 7,000 people, in the future.
Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive at GamCare, commented: “TalkBanStop is a partnership that makes enormous sense for anyone harmed by online gambling, and an excellent example of organisations coming together whose services provide an important first step for people wanting to stop gambling.
“Since the partnership started there has been huge value in pooling our expertise together as organisations, creating an offering that people can use easily and freely to kickstart their recovery.
“We have heard from people supported by TalkBanStop how the impact of our interventions, layered together, can amplify the impact for their recovery. That’s why it’s important there is no break in the free availability of all three layers of support. Going forward, we are looking to continue building on the successes of the past year and work towards our shared aspiration of reducing gambling-related harms.”
Additional funding will go towards free blocking software licenses from Gamban and increased marketing of free practical tools and support available.
Further goals for the next 12 months include increasing awareness of the services, sharing of best-practice and working to enhance the offering of free access to the support networks available.
One TalkBanStop case study user added: “The fact that I’ve used that service with the blocking software and the counseling has given me three big pillars to stand on. I can’t do it anyway on my phone, and I’m getting it in my mindset through the counseling that I don’t want to do it and that I’m changing my behaviours towards it.”
“With the extension of an additional year, GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP will continue working to increase awareness of the partnership among those who need it most. The organisations will also continue to share best-practice with one another, ensuring efforts to enhance the joint offering of easy, free access to all three services.”
