Gambling addiction Centre in Leeds now open

The Leeds Community Gambling Service opened its doors yesterday. It is being run in collaboration with Leeds City Council, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) and Gamcare and will be funded through the NHS and GambleAware.

It will offer treatment and support treatment to thousands of adults in the area who are affected by gambling. It is estimated that there are over 10,000 addicts in the Leeds area alone.

It is estimated that there are about 340,000 people in the UK alone have problems with gambling and another 2 million are thought to be at risk of becoming addicted, yet it has been found that less than 3% are getting the help and support that they need.

The aim of the centre will be to help people who are severely addicted and will also provide care for those who are or have been have unable to function socially, have a mental health condition or have suicidal risk. There will be programmes in place also to help and support addicts and their families who also suffer because of their addiction.

Matthew Gaskell, consultant psychologist and clinical lead for the Northern Gambling Service, said the centre could potentially turn around many people’s lives.

“Some people can be suicidal, have other mental health problems, relationship breakdown, employment difficulties, financial difficulties as well – so we’re going to get some people really very distressed and in real desperate need of help.

“The important message is not everyone is the same so they will get a very personalised care package.

“There’s talking therapy which will actively address the gambling problem, also help the person build the life they want for themselves and their families and their future and that’s really important.

“This is the first phase – over the next five years we’re looking to expand across the country to open 14 clinics.”