FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS
On Wednesday, December 8th, 2021, the field trip was conducted digitally, with our team visiting five websites of community service providers in the Fairfield region. Three community service providers were contacted via email, with one, GAM-ON (Gamblers Anonymous) responding back.
WEBSITE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR PROJECT
This website provides extensive information about gambling and its effects.
Pros: It is similar to our project as it aims to inform the relevant audience.
Cons: It has a limitation in that it does not include a community perspective.
The website's goal Is to provide finical support and counselling for those that are financially irresponsible.
Pros: Strong community-orientation, as many members of the community can donate money or even offer their time to assist those who are suffering from gambling addiction.
This is a non-profit organisation that aims to educate and provide support to individuals struggling with a gambling problem.
Pros: Provides a needs-based approach like our project to individuals with the necessary support services to identify and overcome their problem.
This site aims to allow individuals to seek help for themselves online.
Pros: One of its most useful features is the PGSI: Problem Gambling Severity Index, where individuals can assess themselves and be rated on a ‘risk continuum’.
Similar to our project as it aims to support those struggling with gambling issues
GAM-ON is a self-supporting, fee-free service that enables individuals or families to take the first step towards resolving their gambling addiction by using a needs-based approach at meetings.
Pros: Beneficial to our project as it demonstrates how much help is required to overcome addictions.
GAPS IN SUPPORT AVAILABLE
Reluctance to reduce gambling – On a major scale, government and gambling agents in the industry often refuse to consider healthier strategies because it will often earn them fewer profits.
On an individual level, research shows that many problem gamblers live in denial, and often do not recognise or confront their addiction. Many support services lack a way to engage with these types of problem gamblers.
There was an extreme lack of Fairfield based support services, despite Fairfield being the locality that is the most affected by problem gambling in New South Wales.
Most websites lack efficient community-based support and do not consider capacity building in their support approaches.
There is a large educational gap in support services, particularly in defining the issue of problem, and identifying the effects of gambling harm.
WHAT WE ARE DOING
Thanks to the following community service providers
