EPIC Risk Management renew partnership with Whysup

EPIC Risk Management have confirmed that they have renewed their collaboration with Whysup for a minimum of a further 12 months with the option of a multi-year arrangement.

Last year EPIC and Whysup announced a shared collaborative approach to combat and reduce gambling-related harms at a national level. Over the last 12 months Mark has been an integral part of EPIC’s educational programmes team delivering gambling and online gaming awareness, education and protection sessions in both education and professional sport.

EPIC are now working with over 250 schools per year, educating over 40,000 pupils and there are plans to significantly increase this in 2020/21 through work in up to 1,000 schools across not only gambling but also mental health which will take the sessions to a whole new level. All programmes are independently evaluated by leading academic organisations.

The strategic partnership will continue to contribute to the UKGC’s ‘National Strategy’, a three-year programme which establishes the UK’s new framework on reducing problem harm – focusing on wider collaboration to enhance gambling addiction prevention and treatment of the illness.

Patrick Foster, EPIC’s Director of Educational Programmes stated that the EPIC & Whysup partnership would continue to make a ‘real change – not simply box ticking’ – highlighting both organisations ‘lived experience’, in tackling addictions.

‘I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to collaborate with Whysup for a minimum of another 12 months. It has been an absolute pleasure working with them over the last year and they have added huge value to what we are doing in the education and awareness section of our business. Mark has brought energy, enthusiasm and expertise to the sessions and the feedback has been nothing short of brilliant.’

‘It is not often that you can work with an organisation that shares similar values and objectives and this is just the start of a really special partnership. Gambling and mental health are intrinsically linked, and this will be a major focus for us in all that we do over the next 12 months across all sectors.’

‘Backing UKGC National Strategy principles, EPIC and Whysup work will focus on education, raising awareness, research and providing practical guidance to all stakeholders combatting gambling harm.’

Confirming the partnership, Mark Murray, Director of Whysup, added:

“We are delighted to be renewing our collaborative partnership with EPIC Risk Management. Working with Paul, Patrick and the wider EPIC team over the last 12 months has been fantastic. We are like-minded people who want to deliver the best possible awareness sessions to aid prevention. This is what pro-active, positive collaboration looks like and together we will educate more young people with what we believe to be potentially life-saving information. I believe this is just the start and over the next 12 months we will continue to provide a much-needed service, ensure that young people are aware of the risks, and deliver a real-world gambling education”