Gamblers Anonymous England, Wales & Ulster (GA EWU) is a voluntary fellowship of people who have experienced compulsive gambling. It is peer led. There are no counsellors, therapists or professionals running meetings.

GA EWU groups organise local meetings which follow national guidance. These groups are self-governing except in matters affecting other groups or GA as a whole. Meetings are anonymous and free. There are no membership fees, no registration and no appointments.

Meetings are both online and in person. There are also mixed meetings or open meetings where friends and family of the compulsive gambler are welcomed. GA EWU also maintains a phone line which provides information to those seeking help and support. The phone line is staffed by members of the fellowship.

GA EWU is not a charity and does not employ staff. All positions in GA EWU are voluntarily staffed by its members. GA EWU does not have any employees. Local GA EWU groups generally have as a minimum a secretary and a treasurer but may also include other positions. More information about how groups are organised and how meetings are run can be found in the Guidance Code.

GA EWU does not allow those under the age of eighteen to attend meetings.

Safeguarding Principles

Everyone should recognise that all individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity have a right to equal protection from all types of abuse.

The following principles should inform GA EWU safeguarding approach:

• Prevention: act early to stop harm before it occurs
• Protection: support those most at risk
• Empowerment: help people make informed decisions
• Proportionality: respond in the least intrusive, most appropriate way
• Partnership: work together with other agencies
• Accountability: be transparent and responsible in applying these principles

GA EWU affirms these principles in the context of its common welfare, primary purpose and anonymity. The GA Unity Programme gives general guidance to help understand the duty of care owed by one GA member to another, as well as those they come into contact with through the GA fellowship.

How safeguarding is applied in GA EWU

It is important that all GA members understand and learn about the basics of safeguarding in order to ensure a safe environment for GA members and those they come into contact with. New members should be given information in the form of a newcomers pack which should also include information on safeguarding and how to raise concerns. This information may be given verbally by the group to new members on attending their first meeting.

Good practice should mean that safeguarding is a standing item on the agenda for all regional and national committee meetings.

Safeguarding concerns

If any GA EWU member believes that the actions of a GA member, or someone in contact with the fellowship, gives rise to a safeguarding concern within GA EWU, they should consider the following taking account of the principles set out above.

• Preserve any evidence
• Report concerns to the Group Secretary or a trusted GA member (elder)
• If neither of these is appropriate or possible, concerns can be raised with the regional representative or a GA Trustee
• In discussion with those named above the concern may be referred to the Local Authority Adult Social Care team.
• In an emergency, if there is immediate risk of abuse call 999
• If a crime has been or may be committed, report it to the police

If there is any doubt about whether a situation amounts to abuse, members of the fellowship should seek advice from their local authority adult safeguarding lead.

REVIEW
This policy is reviewed annually by Gamblers Anonymous England, Wales and Ulster (and whenever a change in legislation occurs).