Open Call: Gambling Harms Prevention Grant Scheme (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The Gambling Harms Prevention Grant Scheme 2026/27 provides grants of £5,000 to £8,000 to community and voluntary sector organisations delivering projects that prevent and reduce gambling-related harms across Kent. Funded by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and administered by Kent County Council, the scheme supports innovative prevention and early intervention activities addressing gambling-related harm among individuals, families, and communities. A total fund of up to £60,000 is available for 2026/27. Priority is given to projects that provide frontline staff training, identify and support people showing early signs of gambling harm, use evidence-informed approaches, reach high-risk communities, reduce gambling-related inequalities, and improve awareness of available support and referral services. The funding is primarily intended for prevention and early intervention, rather than specialist gambling treatment services.

About the Gambling Harms Prevention Grant Scheme

Gambling-related harms are recognised as a significant public health issue in Kent. Gambling can affect not only individuals but also their families and wider communities.

Potential harms can include:

- Financial difficulties. - Mental health challenges. - Relationship breakdown. - Social isolation. - Wider inequalities affecting individuals and communities. The Gambling Harms Prevention Grant Scheme has been established to help community and voluntary sector organisations develop practical responses to these challenges. The programme supports innovative projects that can prevent gambling-related harm, identify risks at an early stage, and connect people with appropriate information and support. Funding Available Grants of £5,000 to £8,000 are available to eligible organisations. The total funding available through the scheme is up to £60,000 for 2026/27. Funding is intended primarily to support prevention and early intervention activities rather than specialist treatment services. Grant Payment Structure Successful applicants will receive funding in two stages: - 80% of the awarded grant will be paid within 30 days of a signed grant agreement. - The remaining 20% will be released after submission of the end-of-project report. Applicants should therefore plan their project finances and cash flow around this payment structure. What Will the Grants Support? The scheme is designed to support targeted projects that prevent or reduce gambling-related harms.

Eligible project activities may include:

- Early intervention initiatives. - Gambling harms education. - Community support activities. - Awareness campaigns about available services. - Training for frontline staff. - Identification of people displaying early signs of gambling harm. - Support for people experiencing or at risk of gambling-related harm. - Embedding gambling harms information into existing services. - Developing referral pathways within existing community services. - Promoting gambling transaction blocks. - Working with young people in educational settings. - Supporting families and other people affected by someone else’s gambling. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection between their activities and the prevention or reduction of gambling-related harm. Key Funding Priorities Applications will be particularly relevant where they address the scheme’s priority areas. Training Frontline Staff Projects can help frontline workers recognise gambling-related harm and respond appropriately. Training may help staff identify early warning signs, provide appropriate information, and connect people with relevant services. Early Identification and Intervention The programme prioritises initiatives that identify people who are showing early signs of gambling harm. Early intervention can help people access information and support before gambling-related problems become more severe. Evidence-Informed Approaches Projects should use approaches informed by relevant evidence and understanding of gambling-related harms. Applicants should explain why their proposed activities are appropriate for the communities they intend to support. Supporting High-Risk Communities Priority is given to projects targeting communities where the risk or impact of gambling-related harm may be particularly significant. Applicants should clearly identify their target community and explain why the proposed intervention is needed. Reducing Gambling-Related Inequalities The scheme also seeks to contribute to reducing inequalities associated with gambling-related harms. Projects should consider whether particular groups or communities experience greater barriers to information, prevention, early intervention, or support. Embedding Gambling Harm Support Into Existing Services Projects do not necessarily need to create entirely new services. The programme can support activities that embed gambling harms information and referral pathways into existing community-based services. This approach can make gambling-related information more accessible by incorporating it into services that people already use. For example, an organisation could strengthen its existing support service by: - Training staff to recognise gambling harms. - Adding gambling-related information to existing resources. - Establishing clear referral pathways. - Improving awareness among service users. - Providing information about practical tools such as gambling transaction blocks. Supporting Young People Projects working with young people in educational settings may also be supported. Applicants should demonstrate how their activities will help young people understand gambling-related risks and contribute to prevention and early intervention. The focus should remain on preventing harm and improving awareness rather than providing specialist treatment. Supporting Families and Affected Others Gambling-related harm can affect people beyond the individual who gambles. Families and other affected