All comments shared with permission from women impacted by their own or someone else’s gambling.
“Who will support us after the NHS CBT sessions – if we want, or are able to access them – are complete? It’s a bit like driving – the real learning starts after the initial lesson support.”
“There is a real concern with the lack of funding to Lived experience services. I am a member of multiple, and not one has had approved funding this is extremely worrying. Lived experience is powerful and treatment services with limited experience is a really scary thought. I fear the number of potential relapses that may occur as people do not feel supported is concerning.”
“I think the funding process has been a disaster for the support services and individuals and don’t feel the NHS know what people in recovery value.”
“The support offered by Thrivin Together has been a lifeline for me. Accessing the support guided by the team who have lived experience have had a huge impact on me. I access the support regularly especially when my mental health is struggling. Thrivin has become a safe space for me and a vital support that I access regularly. Without this, I fear how I would navigate the future. I have accessed support for my addiction through other avenues via the NHS but the support in the form of lived experience has had the most impact. It has made me feel safe and supported for the first time. Without it I would not feel confident in my recovery journey. The team at Thrivin go above and beyond and have created a unique community for women like myself who have previously struggled to find a safe supportive space where our unique struggles are understood. The community the team have created supports so many women who would otherwise feel isolated and hopeless. It is a vital lifeline for so many, myself included.”
“It is deeply concerning and, frankly, damning that a dedicated women’s space for those affected by gambling harm remains unfunded. Women experiencing gambling-related harm often face additional barriers including stigma, safeguarding concerns, and a lack of tailored support yet services specifically designed to meet these needs continue to be overlooked. The absence of funding sends a message that women’s experiences of gambling harm are not being prioritised, despite clear evidence that gender-specific support is crucial for effective recovery. Without appropriate investment, opportunities to provide safe, trauma-informed environments are being lost, and women are left to navigate recovery in spaces that may not fully understand or meet their needs. Failing to fund such services not only limits access to vital support but risks widening existing inequalities in treatment and recovery outcomes. We urge OHID and NHSE to recognise the importance of specialist, women-focused provision and to take immediate action to ensure sustainable funding is made available. Women deserve equitable access to support that is safe, appropriate, and effective.”
“This group is very important for women who gamble and help them stay off it. The whatsapp group has been the major support that has kept a lot of women off gambling and is instrumental in keeping them sane.”
“The support offered by Thrivin Together has been a lifeline for me. Accessing the support guided by the team who have lived experience have had a huge impact on me. I access the support regularly especially when my mental health is struggling. Thrivin has become a safe space for me and a vital support that I access regularly.”
“Without this, I fear how I would navigate the future. I have accessed support for my addiction through other avenues via the NHS but the support in the form of lived experience has had the most impact. It has made me feel safe and supported for the first time. Without it I would not feel confident in my recovery journey.”
“The team at Thrivin go above and beyond and have created a unique community for women like myself who have previously struggled to find a safe supportive space where our unique struggles are understood. The community the team have created supports so many women who would otherwise feel isolated and hopeless. It is a vital lifeline for so many, myself included.”
“It is deeply concerning and, frankly, damning that a dedicated women’s space for those affected by gambling harm remains unfunded. Women experiencing gambling-related harm often face additional barriers including stigma, safeguarding concerns, and a lack of tailored support yet services specifically designed to meet these needs continue to be overlooked.”
“The absence of funding sends a message that women’s experiences of gambling harm are not being prioritised, despite clear evidence that gender-specific support is crucial for effective recovery. Without appropriate investment, opportunities to provide safe, trauma-informed environments are being lost, and women are left to navigate recovery in spaces that may not fully understand or meet their needs.
Failing to fund such services not only limits access to vital support but risks widening existing inequalities in treatment and recovery outcomes. We urge OHID and NHSE to recognise the importance of specialist, women-focused provision and to take immediate action to ensure sustainable funding is made available. Women deserve equitable access to support that is safe, appropriate, and effective.”
“Gambling has the highest suicide rates of any addiction I strongly believe I would not be here without the support I have received from gambling harm recovery groups if you reduce funding we are going to lose so many more people to this awful disease.”
“These services need to continue as a lot of gambling recovery spaces are male dominated and I know for some of us woman we don’t feel safe in these environments. We wouldn’t be able to talk openly. So to be around woman who 100 percent get it has been vital for myself in finally getting the support I needed.”
“This funding is so so so important as it helps me hold, not only myself but my family together.”
“I am devastated to hear this news today. Thrivin’ have helped me so much over the last 12 months. I feel completely safe, seen and heard by this service and I don’t believe that would be the case with services moving over to the NHS. Thrivin’ is a community and also helps to reduce isolation and loneliness. Will there be an equivalent service when services are moved over to the NHS? I suspect not. I think this will cause women especially to withdraw and not feel confident in accessing services. I honestly believe that the removal of this service hugely increases the risk of many of us relapsing or not feeling supported to stop gambling.”
“These organisations are paramount to peoples recovery. The thought of not having access to such is really scary. Talking to people who understand really makes a huge difference. I count down the days for my weekly calls, it’s a huge weight off my shoulders. Praying these organisations can receive the funding they truly deserve. Thank you for everything you do.”
“It is disgusting that you obviously don’t understand how much this organisation is a lifeline to many many women trying to break free from gambling harm and stay free!! Many will have had no idea of what could be until finding Thrivin Together. This is so much more than just a charity/organisation it is a family! It is a place where we have learnt to be honest, open and amongst all to be ourselves, the good the bad and the ugly. It is helping to rebuild lives that were believed not worthy, undeserving, better off ended!”
“This decision could set so many women back and not allow so many more to find the unconditional help they so deserve from the amazing people involved in Thriving together.”
“Women’s health yet again being dismissed. Thrivin together is a vital service in harms reduction strategies to overcome gambling.”
“The Power of this service should not be underestimated when looking at statistics such as suicide and poor mental health, poverty and the impact on other addictions as a result of gambling “
“This organisation has been eye opening and a life saver for me. I never knew of such an organisation for women. To connect with females experiencing the same difficulties in invaluable. The work they do should be funded and it would be a devastating loss otherwise.”
“Once again, womens services are not prioritised. They have missed the great, and needed work for women by women”
“For thrivin’ not to have received funding is utterly shameful. The decision makers have grossly mis-placed their resolve. There are so few, (if any, Uk based) organisations led by women for women with varied diversities, and offering vital support to suit, no matter at what stage of their recovery they may be. Surely There should be some recourse to appeal?”
“For thrivin’ not to have received funding is utterly shameful. The decision makers have grossly mis-placed their resolve. There are so few, (if any, Uk based) organisations led by women for women with varied diversities, and offering vital support to suit, no matter at what stage of their recovery they may be. Surely There should be some recourse to appeal?”
“As all services are being cut now I would be going from feeling v supported to now feeling there not that support I needIt would make me feel isolated because I love to have the group sessions as I get to see people who are going through similar things to me.”
“Having the offer of 1:1 support means that there is a safe, supportive space where you can feel heard. Lived experience means that I can feel safe and understood without the fear of judgement. It acts as a safety net when struggling with the negative mental health pressures addiction can cause”
“I’m in a really important phase of my recovery right now, actively working through things instead of pushing them down. Feeling supported and truly heard is a big part of that. If this stops halfway through, I know I’ll slip back into old patterns putting on a mask, bottling everything up, and pretending I’m fine. That’s never served me, and it’s exactly what I’m trying to change. This time, I’m choosing to face things head-on rather than bury them. Because when I bury things, I’m far more likely to fall back into gambling and I don’t want to go there again.”
“An understanding ear on the other end of the phone not there. Someone you don’t have to relay the whole sorry mess that you’re in caused by someone else and that has completely shattered your life.”
“I find it helpful being able to reach out in the group to the other ladies when everything feels too much”
“The counselling service offered was invaluable.”
“I have just completed 11 weeks gamble free. I have not managed this in my 18 years of gambling. Finding thrivin woman was my first encounter of gambling recovery they have supported me with 1-1 support on and off for over a year. When I was ready for rehab they gave me support and advice helping me get into a rehab and then continuing aftercare support with workshops, the peer support groups and wassap group since coming home early this year. Without having them I honestly don’t know where I would be today.”
“If Thrivin Together was not available I would be devastated as I alongside GA, the 12 steps and a sponsor I use the services it provides to maintain my recovery from gambling. I check in daily on the WhatsApp group and attend every Tuesday 5pm meeting.”
“Support from the WhatsApp group is almost instant, but at the same time you can dip in and out of it. Just reaching out and ‘somebody’ responding almost instantly often calms me down and stops me from acting on urges. Having the one to one peer support has been crucial for me at times. Losing that and knowing the service isnt there would cause me a significant amount of stress. You can just say what you feel and know that the other person gets it………no pressure, or judgement”
“Been able to speak to other gambling addicts who understand the problems we face is a great support not having this would make me feel alone in this awful situation”
“The people in my personal life are not aware of my circumstances so I feel incredibly alone in my suffering. Having someone to talk to, that understands is really important for me to try and heal.”
“Feel isolated, lose someone to listen or advise me, who totally gets me!! Even when not involved at time always able to read others inputs good or bad. This adds to support.”
“Without thrivin’ I would not have the immediate peer support as find it difficult to reach out to my own friends and family. The group is vital to my recovery.”
“I have been utterly grateful to be able to connect with an affected other, this person has been so empathetic and helped me access food vouchers and refer me to workshop courses that have been so informative. Also, I am so thankful for the counselling provision which I would not be able to afford.”
“Group support helps to curtail the isolation and a way to express urges and share stories of recovery and what works for people all in a safe setting.”
“It is really important for me in aiding my recovery to have regular access to peer support, run by and with other women of like mind and in a safe environment, otherwise I would be more isolated than I already am which puts me at greater risk of relapse and self harm.”