Gambling service marking first anniversary helped Wigan man in his 'darkest hour'

Peter Collins started gambling in his early teens and had been doing it for more than 40 years when he realised it was time to seek help.

Just six months later, he has changed his life and spoken about the help he received from the NHS Northern Gambling Service as it reaches its first anniversary.

Peter, from Leigh, said: “In the last 10 years my gambling had taken control of me, rather than me controlling it.

“I was closing myself away, losing my confidence and my self-esteem. I was spiralling into a state of depression – and to make matters worse, I started drinking more as well.

“It was becoming a marriage made in hell, the gambling and drinking fuelling each other. I had sought help in the past but I was in denial of the state and severity of my problems and so nothing worked for me.

“At my darkest hour, I saw that the Northern Gambling Service was opening a clinic in Salford and I took one last roll of dice and got in touch.

“The team was amazingly welcoming, putting me at ease and almost immediately we were going into depth about my troubles. And I was opening up for the first time, not only to someone else but to myself.

“Since that first meeting in March, my life has been transformed. I am 28 weeks abstinent, my confidence has returned, my family are thrilled and I am discovering new things in life – I am in control.

“Without the team at the Northern Gambling Service I hate to think where I would be right now.”

Peter was treated in the Manchester clinic, one of three run by the team of 18 specialist clinical support providers across the Northern Gambling Service.

It is one of only two dedicated NHS resources for those harmed by gambling and the only one outside London.

In a tumultuous year in which Covid-19 lockdown restrictions led to a significant increase in online gambling, with new data showing nearly five million British people have experienced harm linked to gambling, the Northern Gambling Service has provided free, confidential and effective treatment for more than 400 people across the North.

It is led by Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and started with a clinic in Leeds, with two further clinics established this year in Manchester and Salford.

In a recent survey, 93 per cent of respondents they were extremely likely to recommend the service and the remaining seven per cent said likely.

Consultant psychologist and clinical lead Matthew Gaskell said: “What we, our team and our clients have achieved in 12 months is truly amazing.

“From a starting position of no formalised NHS treatment for the millions of people harmed by gambling in the North, we have delivered a truly northern service with our three clinics reaching those who desperately want a life-changing intervention.

“Lockdown has been hard, both for those with existing gambling problems and those with hidden problems which have surfaced throughout these difficult times. We know from evidence from our clients and wider research that lockdown created a surge of activity in online casinos and gambling sites, leading to increased gambling and the subsequent money, stress and family issues that go along with gambling.

“Lockdown was hard for us as well - quite rightly many NHS resources, including our fantastic team of clinicians and support staff, were redirected to support the Covid-19 effort. This meant we had to limit the number of referrals and client intake but as we enter our second year we are working at full capacity and are ready to welcome hundreds of new clients to the Northern Gambling Service.”

The service also offers support to family members and carers of those affected by problem gambling.