charity, Community News, Health and Wellbeing, Premises, Resources, walt

Local Lifesaver – Defibrillator now installed

The local community attend the launch

A brand new defibrillator was installed outside the hub on Friday 14th June.

The launch at 3:30pm was attended by a choral ensemble from Oakland Primary School, bringing a large crowd together to support this important emergency health resource being established for the immediate community.

The event was also supported by Guy Thompson, who works as a member of NHS ambulance crew but provides emergency support as a volunteer First Responder when not at work. He is offering to run a session at the NET to demonstrate the ease with which this can be used when a cardiac arrest is suspected. The date for this will be shared when it’s been set.

The installation was a culmination of a long campaign by Geoff Walters, a board member of both The Net and WALT, following a successful application to Health and Social Care. Together with funding contributed from Councillors Esther Cook and Eddie Peak, WALT and support from the congregation of St Philips & St James, the defibrillator was publicly launched.

MHS coordinated the installation at The Net, connecting to its electrical supply, and will ensure its ongoing maintenance.

To use the defibrillator, you call 999, who advise a code to open it and give guidance for use.

Oaklands School pupils sang ‘You’ve got a friend in me’

Health and Wellbeing, Resources, Support Services

Do you or someone you know have a problem with gambling?

We will be joined at the hub by GamCare on Monday 19th February between 1-3pm for an information drop in session. No need to book, and if you can’t make it, there are some useful resources below.

The National Gambling Helpline

If you’re negatively affected by either your own gambling, or the gambling of a loved one you can call our confidential helpline on freephone 0808 8020 133 lines open 24/7. Or you can access our Live Web Chat  

Forums and Chatrooms

GamCare’s Forum is an online message board available 24/7, providing a safe and secure place to explore your relationship with gambling.  

Visit our Forum

We run regular chatrooms, where users can use live text chat to talk about issues related to gambling harms with other people in similar situations, supported by one of our Advisers. Visit our Chatrooms

Way Forward Group for Affected Others

Our Way Forward Group is an online supportive space for women who are affected by a loved one’s gambling. If you would like to join or refer someone to the group, please contact kerri.rustell@gamcare.org.uk

Self-Exclusion Software

TalkBanStop brings together practical free tools and support which can help support people to control their gambling and maintain a successful recovery for anyone harmed by gambling. 

The partnership offers a mixture of personal support via GamCare’s trained Advisers, free access to Gamban blocking software which can be installed on multiple devices, and encouragement to register for the free self-exclusion scheme, GAMSTOP

When used together, this combination of blocking software, self-exclusion and support puts in place additional layers of protection for anyone struggling to control their gambling. 

Support

Local adult support is delivered by our partner Breakeven. Find out more information on their 121 support options by visiting the Breakeven website

Young Person Support Service 

GamCare provide support to young people affected by gambling harms, either as a result of their own gambling or the gambling of a family member. 

Young people and professionals can refer directly in by contacting: YoungPeopleService@gamcare.org.uk or by calling their helpline on 020 3092 6964. 

You can find more information on our Young People Support Service on the Big Deal website www.BigDeal.org.uk.  

With thanks to GamCare for these resources.