Scotland's RCA Trust is to lead a three-year pilot project aimed at bringing together community-based organisations along the west coast of Scotland in a new network to tackle gambling-related harm.
It is the first of its kind in Scotland and will operate mostly in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board area.
The Paisley-based charity, which also offers counselling to problem gamblers throughout Scotland, will use an annual £160,000 grant from the Responsible Gambling Fund, the national charity that distributes funds for gambling research, education and treatment, to work with money advice agencies, local GPs and other community-based bodies to raise awareness and improve their ability to identify and support people experiencing gambling-related harm.
RGF chief executive Carol Stone said: "RCA’s extensive experience of working with people who have gambling-related problems means they are ideally placed to spearhead new relationships and to develop opportunities for community-based agencies to spot problems and intervene early. This project will ensure that those at risk will be more likely to find the support they need in the future.
"This pilot - along with similar RGF-funded pilots in the West Midlands and South Wales - will also be invaluable in helping to build up evidence on how effective early intervention in tackling gambling-related harm can be."
