Merkur Group UK has pledged its support to safer gambling charity the Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) and latest phase of the charity’s Mindful Resilience Programme pilot responsible gambling project.
Designed to enable health care professionals to access quality training on gambling and gaming harm in young people under the age of 25, the Mindful Resilience Programme launched in September 2020.
YGAM developed the pilot programme in partnership with psychologists and was informed by academics, health professionals, and individuals with lived experience. The project has also been endorsed by the Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Dr Rosena Alin-Khan MP.
Currently being piloted, YGAM’s long-term vision is to roll-out the programme more widely after extensive evaluation, with the aim of ensuring risks surrounding gambling harm are identified and given greater priority by training health care professionals who can engage with young people and encourage them to access help.
“We are delighted to be able to play a small part in helping to fund an initiative that directs resource into helping to address such an important part of the safer gambling narrative,” Merkur UK general manager Sascha Blodau said.
“As a business we feel strongly that safer gambling goes beyond just the connection that we have with our customers. Our view is that it should be a commitment that gambling entertainment businesses have with society at large.
“This training connects with the hearts and minds of health professionals, who have a powerful role to play in protecting young people and the vulnerable. We are delighted to play a small part in helping deliver this pilot programme.”
YGAM’s director of business development and fundraising, Ian Shanahan, added: “We’re delighted to receive this fantastic support and commitment from Merkur for the Mindful Resilience Programme. It is a crucially important programme in our portfolio and one that is attracting interest from the health sector.
“This support will help us continue to grow the initiative to increase its reach, profile and impact.”
