Our 2021/22 data shows that we have delivered successful outcomes for an increased number of service users and we are committed to continuing our growth to meet the demand and needs of those who require our help. In 2022, we will be providing additional residential beds for men, and for women through our groundbreaking new women’s treatment programme – our pilots have proved to be a much needed provision.
We will provide additional retreat and counselling programmes this year and continue to provide bed space for complex cases through our partnership with Adferiad.
Applications
Quarter on quarter growth has seen applications for treatment more than double in 2021/22, from 277 in 2020/21 to 619 in 2021/22. Applications for our retreat and counselling service remain popular post-pandemic, but the majority of our applications continue to be for residential treatment following a drop in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Overall applications have been consistent across gender with applications from men and women both increasing over 120%. The average age of our applicants has risen by two years compared to 2020/21, with women on average applying for treatment at an older age than men, age 41 for women compared to age 37 for men. The highest percentage of applicants, 43%, fall in the 25-34 year old band.
Applications have been increasingly diverse compared to 2020/21, with applications from non-white ethnicities increasing nearly 100%. As part of Gordon Moody’s future strategy, we will strive to meet demand and ensure treatment is available to all.
We will commence treatment delivery in Manchester in 2022 and the North West showed the most growth, 15%, in terms of demand in 2021/22.
Half of applicants were employed and 63% of applicants self-referred themselves to Gordon Moody. Our collaborative work with others in the National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS) and wider treatment sector has lead to an increase of referrals from other organisations.
Pre-Treatment
Our vision is that all those most affected by gambling-related harm will have access to the right help, in the right place, at the right time.
The growth in applications in Q4 meant an increase in the time taken to process applications. However with more bed space available, the onboarding team were able to cut the total waiting time from application to entering treatment to 36 days. During the waiting time, clients are in receipt of pre-treatment support, with 24 pre-support groups in Q4. Accepted applications and the uptake of pre-treatment support continues to increase. Those that are not accepted for treatment are referred to other services ensuring that we provide the right treatment options for all those who apply.
In Q4, 102 pre-treatment support sessions took place. Pre-treatment support is vital in holding clients until a bed space becomes available but is not a substitute for treatment. It is positive that, despite the increase in applications, access to treatment has been faster, reducing the need for long periods of pre-support.
A number of services users engaged in pre-treatment support gave the following feedback:
“Someone genuinely cared, it provided ongoing structure with no judgement, and they gave me knowledge, help and hope whilst I waited for a place on the programme.”
“It saved my life, helped me to get other support I needed including GP appointments. Without the pre-support I wouldn’t be on the programme and probably not alive.”
“It would have been detrimental not to have pre-support, the first phone calls were a constant reassurance that someone was there.”
“It helped me hold a positive mindset knowing I was on the waiting list for treatment. Getting pre-support is undeniably helpful and removed doubts and avoided me sabotaging my commitment to make a life change.”
Treatment
Our mission is to be the benchmark for successfully treating people with the most severe gambling addictions.
Despite entering 2021/22 under Covid restrictions, 109 admissions were made across our men’s residential and retreat and counselling services – which is close to our capacity of 114 spaces. Completion rates improved across all services supported by pre- and post-treatment engagement. In addition, a pilot of a women’s residential programme ran with only one service user not completing the programme.
The average improvement of the PGSI score from the start of treatment to the end of treatment is 20 points for residential and 13 points for retreat and counselling, with scores remaining low post-treatment.
The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is used to measure a client’s gambling harm and is on a scale of 0-27.
The improvement of CORE-10 scores from the start of treatment to the end of treatment are also very positive, with a 14 point improvement in residential and an eight point improvement for retreat and counselling. Both services see an increase in the CORE-10 score post-treatment which is why we have invested in additional post-treatment support.
CORE-10 measures a client’s anxiety, depression, trauma, physical problems, functioning, and risk to self on a scale of 10-40.
Annual statistics from the National Gambling Treatment Service published for the year 2019/20 by GambleAware show average PGSI improvement scores in UK treatment of 12 and CORE-10 improvement scores of 8.
Post Treatment
We help people to reclaim and rebuild their lives free from gambling addiction and offer a range of services in post-treatment to support our service users in their recovery.
Q4 saw the highest amount of post-treatment interactions in 2021/22, with 480 compared to 461 in the previous quarter. Unique users in post-treatment support increased to 47, almost four times the amount in Q1. We held 284 one-to-one post-treatment sessions in Q4, more than double compared to the 137 sessions held in Q1. The improved engagement was helped by an increase in staff, collaborations, and investment in our wrap-around programme.
A number of services users engaged in post-treatment support were asked – What do you get from continues support post-treatment?
“The therapy and on-going support from Gordon Moody has been instrumental in dealing with my gambling addiction.”
“The sense of security knowing there is someone for help and support as and when needed.”
“Confidence to move on as I was very depressed with my situation after giving up gambling.”
“I feel it’s important to have continued support because it prevents the risk of relapsing.”
“It gives me support knowing I have someone to turn to and that I can decide how often I need the on-going support.”
“It is vital to my recovery knowing that if I am in a position where I have identified a trigger/warning sign, I can talk to someone who understands it.”
Full Data Report
The full data report is available here.
For further data insights, or to discuss collaborations or contributions, please contact Rob Mabbett – Director of External Engagement.
Be part of something great
A former Gordon Moody resident said:
“This service was my lifeline and has given me my life back! I can’t thank Gordon Moody and all their employees who have created such a brilliant service enough!”
Gordon Moody is growing! With more services launching to meet the increasing demand of people reaching our for support – we need your help.
From making donations to sharing our social media messages, there are loads of ways you can get involved to help people reclaim and rebuild their lives free from gambling addiction.
For more information, including on our services, please get in touch. Join us on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn.