In the last few weeks Beacon Counselling Trust have continued to deliver their flagship educational offer, the Bet You Can Help programme, right across the North West.
This first aid approach to tackling gambling related harms is suitable for anyone working in helping roles, and often delivered to statutory services and community-based organisations from the third sector. As part of BCT’s work in supporting the reduction of gambling harms within the workplace, they also engage with large employers from the private sector.
One organisation who have been supporting BCT’s work, particularly across Cumbria in the last two years are Sellafield Ltd. With over 11,000 members of staff, they are one of the North West’s largest employers. They have engaged with this issue through attending training, and the Cumbria gambling related harms working group, and part funding a lived experience video, which showcases the role BCT played in the recovery of a Cumbrian man.
This collaboration has led to the recent delivery of the full day ‘Bet You Can Help’ Level Two Programme, accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health in both Cumbria and Warrington Sellafield sites, for members of staff who have also achieved mental health first aid certificates. Both days features in depth discussions on gambling harms within the workforce, a range of exercises designed to help participants spot any members of staff experiencing harms, and performing early interventions to help individuals access appropriate levels of support. The group also heard first-hand the importance of lived experience, as Chris, from the Early Intervention and Education Team told his story.