Simon Community Scotland & Fast Forward

Day

Tuesday 4 February

Time slot

09:30-10:30

Room

Ochil suite
Wheelchair accessible

Contact

Lauren Heaney

Topics

Health and social care Workforce and HR Policy

Overall aim

This session will:

• Analyse the links between gambling, homelessness and housing insecurity
• Equip you with how to spot the signs of gambling harm
• Empower you to support someone experiencing gambling harm
• Discuss the importance of a gendered approach to gambling harm
• Signpost you to free resources you can use to support your practice and learn more about gambling harm

Description

The relationship between gambling harm and homelessness might seem obvious, however, very little work has been done to look at this in Scotland. Gambling is rarely mentioned when discussing homelessness or housing, even though it can contribute towards relationship and family breakdowns, rent and bill arrears, domestic violence, debt and deteriorating mental health - all of which can lead to someone being asked to leave their accommodation.

One in five people who have experienced homelessness experience gambling harm compared to one in 200 people in the general population who experience gambling harm.

Who is the event aimed at?

Frontline service delivery

Who is speaking at this event?

Lauren Heaney. Practice and Policy Lead for Gambling Harm, Simon Community Scotland.
Fran Howard. Programme Manager, Scottish Gambling Education Hub, Fast Forward.
Jamie Wells. Project Officer, Scottish Gambling Education Hub, Fast Forward.