GambleAware made the announcement a week ago that it is now accepting applications for its Lived Experience Council. This is part of its commitment to interact with communities of individuals who have experienced the negative effects of gambling.
The Lived Experience Council came into being as a direct result of GambleAware’s commitment to working with others and assisting those who are in the greatest need. Members of the Council will be expected to provide GambleAware with objective, professional advice on all aspects of its operations and programs, and to direct the charity’s governance and the development of its strategic plan. They will also participate in all Board meetings as observers and advisors on a rotating basis.
Who Can Apply?
In order to share their knowledge and experience, as well as to inform GambleAware and its Board of Trustees, the Council will be made up entirely of people who have direct lived experience of the harms that can be caused by gambling. It will also include those who have been indirectly impacted by the gambling harms caused by other people.
On top of that, GambleAware is trying to develop a community of people who can contribute their experiences and knowledge about gambling hazards to help guide the Council’s day-to-day activities.
“I strongly encourage all those who are interested in being part of this new venture, to please get in touch. The new Council and community members will bring their unique insight, expertise, and knowledge to GambleAware and help us in creating a society free from gambling harms.”
Zoë Osmond, CEO, GambleAware
The Lived Experience Council is also a continuation of GambleAware’s efforts to give finance and help to community-based civil society organizations that focus on the risks associated with gaming.
To this day, GambleAware has collaborated with several community organizations to build the ALERTS group. This group was established as a parallel governance structure to the National Clinician’s Network Forum, which is a component of the National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS).
All who are a part of this group have suffered from the negative effects of gambling-related problems and have received therapy for either of those conditions. GambleAware has also awarded a grant for the establishment of the Gambling Lived Experience Network (GLEN), which will be supported in its work by the community-based organization Expert Link. This is in recognition of the need for a national representative network across the entirety of Great Britain.
