Guest blog: Robert from Highland Council shares top tips for how to have conversations about online safety with young people

In this blog, Robert Quigley from Highland Council shares their journey towards including gambling in their work, and tips for starting conversations with young people about online safety. I was recently honoured to have been asked to speak at the annual Scottish Gambling Education Conference as a keynote speaker, to share the journey that Highland…

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Meet our newest member – Farrah Walji Jiwa

Please join us in welcoming our newest team member, Farrah Walji Jiwa (farrah@fastforward.org.uk). Farrah joins the team as Project Officer, and will focus on gambling harm prevention in schools, colleges, and universities. Farrah was raised in Texas and moved to the UK just over a decade ago to complete a postgraduate degree in Islamic Studies…

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Youth Fund Showcase: ‘The Art of Gambling’

Barnardo’s Stirling facilitated a unique art workshop, themed around the topic of gambling and its risks. Two young people got involved in creating canvas artwork, highlighting the negative effects that gambling can have through visual storytelling. Using spray paint and acrylics, the young people aimed to show a person’s journey from what might be considered…

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Guest blog: Chris from Fathers Network Scotland on men’s health

Men’s Health Week is this month (13-19 June). In this blog, Chris Miezitis from Fathers Network Scotland shares how their work supporting fathers is connected with gambling and many other related health issues. While being, and becoming, a father can be an incredibly positive and fulfilling experience, fatherhood is often a challenging and difficult experience.…

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Meet our newest member – Francesca Howard

Please join us in welcoming our newest team member, Francesca Howard, Scottish Gambling Education Hub Project Manager. Francesca was born in Worcestershire.  She taught English in Thailand right after school which set her on a path to want a career working with children and young people. She moved to Scotland for university in 2008 and…

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New report: Young people’s views on gambling and gaming

We are delighted to share new research exploring young people across Scotland’s views on gambling and gaming. The report was commissioned by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), and delivered by Young Scot and Fast Forward. The results highlight the impact gambling has on young people in Scotland – both their own…

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Reflecting on YouthLink’s Digital Youth Work Conference 2022

The conference on Safer Internet Day (8 Feb 2022) highlighted the wealth of opportunities children and young people have gained from our growing online world. It also emphasised the increased importance of cyber resilience to navigate the risks it presents. Here we share some of our highlights from the day.   Morning The event kicked…

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