Get support
You’re not alone
Free, confidential support for anyone in the armed forces community affected by gambling - including family, friends and partners. Reaching out can be the first step towards recovery.
If this is an emergency, please ring the emergency services on 999 or contact Samaritans free on 116 123, or visit samaritans.org.
Talk to us
Whether you are seeking help for yourself or someone else, we will ensure you are connected to the right support.
Email the AFGSN team
For information or support for yourself or someone else.
armedforces@Email BCT Support
Beacon Counselling Trust’s support team, for treatment and support with gambling harms.
support@Call us
Monday to Thursday 9am–5pm, Friday 9am–3pm.
0151 226 0696More from Beacon Counselling Trust
Gambling therapy, support for families and more on the Beacon Counselling Trust website.
BCT Get SupportFree, confidential support
Support for the Armed Forces community
The Armed Forces Gambling Support Network not only works closely with organisations that are committed to engaging with the issue of gambling related harms within armed forces communities, but we are also able to support with pathways into free, specialist support and treatment to individuals directly impacted by gambling, including affected family, friends and partners.
These specialist support services are completely free, confidential, and tailored to meet the needs of the armed forces community, with armed forces and gambling harms lived experience at the heart of all support programmes.
Who we support
We support anyone who is:
- Currently serving or has previously served in the armed forces
- A member of the wider armed forces community (including family members)
- Affected by someone else’s gambling
How we can help
We can link people into a range of support options, including:
- Advice and guidance on gambling-related harm
- Mental health treatment from qualified professionals
- Peer and recovery support from people with lived experience
- Referrals to the most appropriate specialist services
Treatment and support
Free treatment and 1 to 1 support
We offer free treatment and 1 to 1 practical support for those affected by their own, or somebody else’s gambling, and a wide range of aftercare programmes to support recovery.
Part of this process includes developing seamless referral pathways into confidential treatment and support services, to ensure the individual accesses the appropriate level of support and is able to access any partnering agencies so that a holistic service is provided - for example debt advice, aftercare services and our families project.
To ensure no gaps in support, we operate a looped model of care so that service users can access support at any stage of their journey should relapse occur.
We also offer support for families. We know the impact of an individual’s gambling on family members can be severe, so we offer both treatment and holistic support for anyone affected by another person’s gambling, through our therapeutic treatment offer and our families focused provision.
We aim to engage and offer support not only to the armed forces directly but also to external organisations who give focus to this community in their work, such as the Royal British Legion and SSAFA. As gambling harms can present at any touchpoint in the life journey of a member of the armed forces, we feel it is important to reach the whole community.
Your journey
- Get in touch - by email or phone, for yourself or someone else.
- We connect you to the right level of support.
- Free treatment and 1 to 1 practical support.
- Aftercare - and support at any stage, should relapse occur.
Further help
Mental health support, Op COURAGE, Op FORTITUDE, Op NOVA and the Veterans’ Gateway - dedicated services for the Armed Forces and veterans community.
