I am an affected other
Welcome to thrivin’ together’s page for affected others. If you find yourself here you are most probably supporting, or are affected by someone who gambles/d in some form. This page is here to provide support and information to yourself as an affected other.
We are a woman-led, lived experience organisation offering choice, voice and change for women across the UK. This includes women who are affected by someone else’s gambling.
At thrivin’ together cic we offer support in a tailored way as we know every woman, story and situation is different. We currently offer:
- 1-2-1 peer support
- Information and signposting
- Counselling and coaching
- Monthly newsletter
- Affected Other WhatsApp group – direct contact with our Affected Other Coordinator.
We also have workshops, activities and events running regularly, you can visit our Learn, Grow and Heal page to view current sessions running. You will need to become a member in order to access our free support, activities and community.
Meet Kymberley, thrivin’ together cic’s Affected Other Coordinator. Kymberley is passionate about supporting women who find themselves affected by someone else’s gambling. Kymberley’s role is to listen and provide emotional support and guidance and help you navigate any challenges that come with being an affected other.
thrivin’ together cic have a Facebook page dedicated to affected others, with regular posts around support and information for women affected by someone else’s gambling, whether that’s an affected other of a partner, child, parent, friend or colleague. Please feel free to click the icon above and follow our page.
Privacy
We cannot make you anonymous on our Facebook page, but there are steps you can take to make yourself anonymous on your page, if you wish:
- Make your account private by using the options under the ‘Audience and visibility’ heading. Change the audience to ‘Only me’ for your posts and tags.
- Hide your profile from search by changing the audience visibility to ‘Only me’ for all your Facebook profile information.
Trying to understand?
If you have discovered that someone you care about has a gambling addiction you probably don’t know which way to turn. We know it can be like travelling to a new land and not knowing the language. It can be scary, overwhelming and exhausting. Having a better understanding of gambling addiction and how it plays out can help you understand what is going on and the person you are trying to help. Our priority to meet you where you are and support you at your pace.
Reach out for support today: Contact Kymberley
Signs of a Gambler (what to look out for if your unsure if your loved one has a gambling addiction)
- Gambling more than you can afford to lose
- Feelings of anger when losing money through gambling
- Gambling on another day to try to win back the money lost – chasing losses
- Borrowing money to gamble
- Lying to conceal the extent and the amount of involvement with gambling
- Gambling has started to cause financial problems for your household
- Always thinking about gambling and planning how to get money to gamble again
- Hesitant to tell people about your loved one’s relationship with gambling or covering up for their behaviour to protect them
- Frightened you will be unable to pay the rent/mortgage/bill this month
- Struggling to feed the family
- Struggling to sleep or relax
- Feeling helpless, hopeless, frightened, threatened, angry, suspicious, depressed, anxious
- Loss of appetite, interest in hobbies, seeing friends
Blocking, Self Exclusion and Limiting Gambling Ads online
It’s important to know there are many ways you can stop or limit your gambling to help yourself feel more in control.
Gambling Blocking, Software Blockers & Self-Exclusion
Free multi operator and national self-exclusion schemes
Everything You Need to Know About Bank Gambling Blocks – GamCare
How To Limit & Block Gambling Ads Online – GambleAware
Financial Support
Criminal Justice Support
Support is available to assist individuals who have resorted to crime to fund their gambling.
Criminal Justice Support – GamLEARN
Resources for Affected Others
| Abusive Behaviour Support Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) Women’s Aid How to check what devices are linked to your mobile account How to secure your tech |
| Cultural Diversity and Intensity Do it for her short film by Gambling Harms UK Breaking the Silence in South East Asian Communities animation from Beacon Counselling Trust and ARA |
| Financial Support StepChange National Debt Line Business Debt Advice Line Financial Support Line – Surviving Economic Abuse |
| Eating Disorder, Self Harm and Trauma Beat Help and support including a directory of local support NHS List of support for Self Harm Treatment options in relation to Trauma |
Group Support
Betknowmore
New Beginnings
New Beginnings was created to provide a safe space and community of support to help women recover from the impact that gambling has had on their lives. Whether you have been impacted by your own gambling or by the gambling behaviours of someone close to you.
Breakeven
Group Support
We offer a support group for Women In Need of Gambling Support (WINGS). Groups:
*Women affected by the gambling related harm of family members or friends
*Women affected by the gambling related harm of partners or ex partners
GamCare
Way Forward Program for Affected Others
Way Forward is a support group for all women affected by someone else’s gambling harm. Our Way Forward groups aim to provide a safe, supportive and confidential space for women.
EPIC Restart Foundation
Friends and Family Support Network
Currently working to develop a programme of support for those impacted by someone else’s gambling, creating a space for people to share their experiences and learning.
Helplines and Other Support Available
National Gambling Helpline – 0808 8020 133
GambleAware (find support in your area) – Advice If You’re Affected by Someone Else’s Gambling
Gordon Moody – Friends and Family Support – Friends & Family – Gordon Moody
Adfam – For Families – ADFAM
Choice
Information
A range of information and services, options to be anonymous and ability to choose opportunities and timings.
Voice
Connection
A space for women to find their voice, become part of a collective and network. A true representation of the impact of gambling on women.
Change
Opportunities
Personal and professional opportunities to develop resilience, strength and connections creating change in narratives.