Tackling Gambling: Educating At School Level

THIS month marks the end of MFC Foundation’s work with St Peter’s School in Brotton where Lee Harding, the Foundation’s Boro Bus Coordinator, has been educating the Year 5 students on the pitfalls of gaming and gambling, and the benefits of online safety through a YGAM course.

It is believed this is the first time a full course has been run in a school and it was very well received.

The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) is a charity based organisation that was set up in 2014 in response to the founder’s own struggles with problem gambling. The charity focus on educating young and vulnerable people in better understanding gambling and gaming, along with the consequences that come with making badly informed decisions. Through their evidence- led, accredited programmes YGAM cover the topics of gaming and gambling with the aim of preventing future harm.

Through their research they discovered that 80,000 students across the UK are classed as problem gamblers. Educating students about the consequences of gambling at a young age will encourage them to make smarter decisions and be more digitally diligent as they grow up.

Over the last few weeks the students at Brotton have gained valuable, life-long knowledge about what the risks of gambling are, what signs to look out for and where they can turn to for help if needed, all on top of giving them the confidence to discuss problem gambling with their peers.

The Foundation has had a great time working with the students and teachers at St Peter’s school. If any other schools would like to get involved in educating their students about the risks of gaming and gambling please e-mail enquries@mfcfoundation.co.uk