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ARA SUPPORTS DIVERSE COMMUNITIES TO RECOVER FROM GAMBLING PROBLEMS

Breaking the Sharam

Ara Gambling Service provides specialist support for South Asian communities experiencing problems with gambling.

If you are not confident at spoken English, we can still help you. Please see how we can help in a variety of languages below.

Breaking the Sharam

  • Breaking the Sharam, in partnership with Beacon Counselling Trust, aims to break the stigma surrounding gambling problems in the South Asian Community
  • Translators are available in your language for ease of communication
  • Free and confidential counselling, advice and guidance without judgement

Parikshith Shetty

Breaking the Sharam Project Worker

Pari is our Breaking the Sharam Worker. He is primarily responsible for the development of culturally appropriate support and resources at Ara. This has been fundamental in helping to reduce the stigma around gambling related harm and facilitate treatment referrals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

Contact Pari at parikshithshetty@recovery4all.co.uk

Dr Riyaz Timol, Research Associate

Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK, Cardiff University

“I’ve been very impressed with the ‘Breaking the Sharam’ initiative. Gambling addiction is a hidden harm in many UK South Asian communities but for a complex variety of reasons, including stigma and lack of understanding, it is often ignored and untreated leading to a tragic cost in human terms. This initiative, delivered with cultural sensitivity and a keen awareness of grassroots community infrastructures, is to be commended for helping reach some of the most vulnerable in our society.”

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South Asian Communities

We support people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities

  • We support people from CALD communities who are having problems with gambling. This could be their own or a friend or family member’s gambling.
  • Research findings indicate that one-in-five black and minority ethnic adults surveyed identified as experiencing ‘some level of problem gambling harm’ (Gamble Aware, 2020)
  • Our dedicated South Asian Project worker, Parikshith Shetty, can be contacted at parikshithshetty@recovery4all.co.uk

As part of the National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS), Ara works in partnership with GamCare, a registered charity and the leading national authority on the provision of advice, practical help support and counselling in addressing the social impact of gambling. GamCare offers advice and information by phone tel 0808 802 0133 and online www.gamcare.org.uk