ARA’s Graham England To Facilitate at SR Exchange Workshops

The bacta’s SR Exchange will take place on 21st November at The Crowne Plaza in London’s King Cross Road.

  With preparations now finalised, the bacta’s SR Exchange will take place on 21st November at The Crowne Plaza in London’s King Cross Road. The SR Exchange will bring together professionals from the field of Problem Gambling, Operators and their staff for a programme of presentations, panel discussions and practical workshops. The event is believed to be the first of its type and it is bacta’s intention that it will be a major step on the road to protecting people from gambling-related harm. SR Exchange will devote an entire afternoon to a series of workshops where the exchange of knowledge and ideas can take place. Those taking part will be a mix of practitioners in the field of problem gambling, along with operators and their front-line staff, ensuring a very real-world perspective. Graham England, CEO for the Addiction Recovery Agency (ARA) in the South West and Wales, will be a facilitator for two workshops along with Neil Platt of Beacon Counselling. Under the banner: Sometimes its more than a game, the workshops will focus on identifying and supporting individuals experiencing problematic gambling. ARA manages 152 units of supported accommodation for people with substance misuse issues. ARA also provides treatment service for 1300 people per year with mental health problems and treats over 500 people per year suffering from problem gambling. With 28 year’s experience in the health and social care sector, Graham has been a key contributor to the problem gambling arena, initiating the first young people’s problem gambling service in Britain. Graham is an active member of GambleAware’s National Clinicians Network Forum. He spoke at the first conference in Britain on gambling and the workplace. ARA is currently working with the trades unions to deliver education and awareness sessions to construction workers at the new Hinckley Point nuclear power station site. Graham has also been a Member of the Royal College of General Practice Gambling Education Steering Group. Over the past year he has been a key driver in developing the model for National Problem Gambling Treatment Service with GamCare and a driver of the GAST National Problem Gambling System screening tool. Graham is the Founder and Head of Service of All Out Cornwall’s first problem gambling treatment service with a network of trained practitioners to deliver service in one of the most rural counties in Britain. All Out has established itself as a key resource in Cornwall, supporting an ex-client to establish the first ever GA meeting in Cornwall. Graham is looking forward to playing his part in the SR Exchange, saying: “I am delighted to be part of this day and in partnership with Neil from Beacon, helping bacta members to reduce the risks of problem gambling, to their customers, their families and friends and to the wider community. This is a fantastic time to be at the forefront of finding solutions to the risks of problem gambling and it is great to work with bacta on this pioneering programme.”