Salvation Army Gambling Support

Salvation Army Gambling Support Training

Though The Salvation Army is committed to meeting need wherever it exists, COVID-19 will greatly increase the number of service requests received for months – if not years – to come. As a result, ongoing public support will be critical in ensuring no one is turned away or overlooked. Jeff Farm Trust also offers grants that support various Salvation Army programmes. Funding priority is given to under-priviliged youth and includes adventure-based learning, camping, alcohol and drug therapy, training opportunities, and supervision for court-related diversion. The Salvation Army's gambling addiction support service is worried about the increased number of online gambling sites. Photo: 123rf The head of the organisation's gambling services division, Oasis, said it had been noticeable since the nationwide lockdown came into force. The wrap-around support offered by The Salvation Army Oasis includes support from those who have lived experience of overcoming adversity and gambling harm in their lives. This team are passionate about improving the services that Oasis have to offer.

National COVID-19 Emotional and Spiritual Care Hotline available to everyone impacted by pandemic

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 10, 2020) — In response to the rising levels of anxiety, uncertainty and fear resulting from this unprecedented pandemic, The Salvation Army has launched its first nationwide hotline to provide emotional and spiritual care to anyone impacted by this crisis. If you’re looking for spiritual guidance or local services, or if you just need someone to talk with, Salvation Army officers who are pastors and emotional-care personnel are there to listen.

The phone number is 1-844-458-HOPE (4673). Staff are available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST. Counselors speak English and Spanish, and callers are encouraged to leave a message if they call after hours.

As the nation’s largest social services organization with a presence in almost every ZIP code in America, The Salvation Army has expanded its efforts to meet the overwhelming need caused by COVID-19. Uniquely positioned to assist those vulnerable in our communities, the Army’s current response is focused on:

• Food security– expanding food assistance with new delivery and drive-through options
• Shelter – providing safe shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness
• First responder support– providing support based on each community’s need (for example, providing meals and childcare)
• Virtual worship – offering virtual services during this outbreak using livestreaming tools to continue providing faith, hope and healing, which will be especially important this Easter

Though The Salvation Army is committed to meeting need wherever it exists, COVID-19 will greatly increase the number of service requests received for months – if not years – to come. As a result, ongoing public support will be critical in ensuring no one is turned away or overlooked.

People can join the fight for good and support their local Salvation Army and community by visiting salvationarmyusa.org/COVID19.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please visit www.salvationarmyusa.org to find your local Salvation Army service center.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter: @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood

Andy, 37, lost his home, friends and partner, due to his addiction to gambling machines. He was unable to get a job due to his addiction after he was made redundant two years ago.

He first played on a fruit machine at the age of 17 when he won £200. He said: “One big win led me to spend thousands of pounds on gambling machines. I think over the last 20 years I have lost about £30,000 to £35,000 on the machines. I would put £10 in, then it went up to £20, and then £50. When I lost my job due to redundancy as an agency worker two years ago I lied about working night shifts.

“I lied to my partner, to my friends, and I would gamble any money I had in the hope I could make it right again. I started lying about every aspect of my life. I couldn’t get myself into the frame of mind to be able to get a job.

“I was just focused on chasing my losses in the hope of a big win.”

In March last year things came to a head for Andy, after his relationship with his partner broke down due to her constantly needing to bail him out. He ended up homeless, and decided to end his life by stopping to take the insulin he needed, to treat his type one diabetes.

He said: “My lowest point was when I split up with my partner and the only thing I could control was my insulin. I stopped taking it and the doctor said within five or six hours I would have been dead.”

[Statement: Government announcement on gambling]

This attempt to take his life saw him end up at the Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital and he eventually found himself at The Salvation Army’s City Road Lifehouse in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The

Salvation Army helped Andy get on to a 24-session NECA course (a charity working with people with addictions). It was recommended that he get himself banned from the betting shops as a self-exclusion measure, as well as changing walking routes to avoid areas with betting shops.

Salvation Army Problem Gambling

He said: “Self-exclusion works if you’re further down the line and are committed to changing.

“You have to take your photo into the bookies and ask them to ban you. But it wouldn’t have helped me until I got to that point of wanting to recover because I wouldn’t have wanted anything to stop the possibility of my being able to access the machines. There are dozens and dozens of bookies in Newcastle alone, and they all have four machines in. All the time I was in the bookies you see people breaking down, shouting at the machines.”

Salvation Army Gambling Support Centers

Andy has now moved out of the Lifehouse and into a Salvation Army flat although he still has support from the Lifehouse. He is now looking to move into independent living accommodation.

Andy is back with his partner but accepts he can’t change the past - he won’t be able to win back the money he’s lost.

Salvation Army Gambling Support Groups

For interviews, please contact: Sophie Docker, Media Office, The Salvation Army: 0207 367 4517/0203 657 7555 or email: media@salvationarmy.org.uk