Launched last year, the initiative was developed in response to the cost-of-living crisis to help reduce health inequalities in the most disadvantaged communities.
According to GambleAware, research indicated people in more deprived areas were three times more likely to experience gambling harms compared to those in the least deprived communities.
As such, the funding initiative aimed to ensure minoritised and marginalised groups could access the help and guidance to address gambling harm.
Organisations were invited to submit their applications for a grant of up to £100,000, with GambleAware having announced £1.2m will be shared between 22 successful applicants.
Projects include Refugee Access, Wigan Warriors Community Foundation, Hull FC Rugby Community Sports and Education Foundation, Azad Kashmir Welfare Association, Yellow Scarf CIO, Reframe Coaching CIC, Solihull Moors Foundation and Alabare Christian Care & Support.
Funding will also be sent to Blackburn Foodbank, Age UK Westminster, Shama Women’s Centre, Al Hurraya, Prison Radio Association, Simon Community Scotland and Derbyshire Alcohol Advice Service.
The Cedarwood Trust, Coram’s Field, IMO Charity, Just B (St Michael’s Hospice), Big Issue Foundation, Mind Suffolk, and Epic Restart Foundation were also successful with their applications to the scheme.
“The fund will allow GambleAware to support a range of fantastic community-based organisations, as they continue the vital work they do in addressing specific needs within their communities and the inequalities they experience,” GambleAware chief commissioning officer Anna Hargrave said.
“We already know that the cost-of-living crisis may lead to a rise in the number of people experiencing gambling harms. We are dedicated to enhancing the support we offer in addressing these issues.
“The fund also presents a valuable opportunity to engage with communities across the country and tackle the stigma associated with speaking openly about the effect these harms can have.”
The Community Resilience Fund will be evaluated throughout the funding period, with the final evaluation report expected in April 2024.
The news comes after GambleAware last month said it received £13.2m in donations from the gambling industry during the first three quarters of its 2022-23 financial year, a 17.5% drop on the previous year.
Ladbrokes Coral was the biggest contributor in the nine-month period, donating a total of £7.0m to the charity.
Hillside, operating as Bet365, made three separate pledges of £2.4m, £1.7m and £907,000, taking its overall donation in the three quarters to over £5.0m.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/social-responsibility/responsible-gambling/gambleaware-to-distribute-1-2m-through-community-resilience-fund/
