Women in Surrey struggling with gambling addiction are set to receive vital support thanks to a £300,000 grant from Gamble Aware. This funding will enable Surrey County Council’s Bridge the Gap programme to continue its work over the next two years.
The grant will provide specialist, long-term, trauma-informed outreach to around 16 women each year who face multiple challenges. Additionally, another 30 women with a history of gambling harm will benefit from ongoing recovery support provided by peer workers with lived experience of addiction.
Bridge the Gap is also launching a county-wide peer support network to ensure women receive sustained help and community backing to overcome gambling addiction and rebuild their lives. This initiative forms part of a broader Surrey strategy aimed at tackling gambling harms.
Nat Adams, 54, from Camberley, played a key role in securing the grant. A former sports coach, Nat’s gambling addiction began after a near-fatal car crash left her with mobility issues. She turned to online gambling during her recovery, which severely impacted her mental health and family relationships, and led to homelessness.
“It affected every part of my life—from my mental health to my family relationships—and I even became homeless,” Nat revealed. She now uses her experience to support others in recovery and advocates for more face-to-face support in Surrey.
“Gambling addiction can be deadly—there’s a suicide every day in the UK due to it,” Nat said. “Unlike drug or alcohol addiction, gambling support is all too often scarce, forcing people to travel miles for help. I know retired nurses who have gambled away their pensions and others who have lost entire inheritances in no time.” Nat is currently in emergency bed and breakfast accommodation and understands the urgent need for support, counselling, and housing for vulnerable women.
Bridge the Gap will collaborate with Gamcare and Surrey County Council’s Public Health mental health team to enhance referral pathways and increase awareness of available support.
Collette Le Van-Gilroy, Senior Programme Manager, commented: “This Gamble Aware award is a major win. Together with Gamcare, we’ll provide tailored support addressing both immediate crises and long-term recovery needs. Our aim is to build a resilient community network empowering women to overcome their challenges.”
Bridge the Gap is a coalition of 11 community organisations delivering trauma-informed outreach to those facing multiple disadvantages in Surrey. Free, confidential support is available for anyone struggling with gambling addiction.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact The National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133 or visit GambleAware and GamCare, the UK’s leading gambling harm support charity.
Originally published by UKNIP.
