Hi
I am appreciative of all the good work that Gamcare provide to us cg's.
But unless I have missed something major, think the recent closures of the "chat" forums is an utter disgrace given how long it has now continued for.
Whatever the reason to my mind. No site that is perceiving to be assisting and helping those in need, should be acting the way it is.No updates, just treating us cg's with contempt.
My personal view, is and with my experience of dealing with many similar organaisations such as Gamcare. Is that the front line staff are genuine and of high integrity. Whilst in the background there are others, just in it for the money. Check out the salary's CEO's of charities get if you don't believe me.
I now view "Gamcare" and their lack of sorting out its "chat" forum, as being no different.
My genuine view now is that aside from the "front line" staff working for it. Is that "Gamcare" are just an organisation taking advantage of us cg's, fronting that they "care".
But are in many ways no better than the gambling industry and in many ways worse..
Gra60
Hi Gra60
I share your view that the top brass in some charities are taking too high a salary. If you want to find out how much the Gamcare CEO and top table earn, a FOI request is the way to go (I might do it myself, I've requested a few...) Like you, I have the utmost respect for the front-line staff.
We were told that the Chatline would be back in 2 weeks. A few days to go. Let's see if they deliver...
Hi guys, was wondering why the chat was closed.. It keeps asking me for a password?
Is chat expected to go back online? I'm extremely saddened if it doesn't as you know the chat is my main outlet.
Mix, hope you're well... I miss our chats. Just a heads up I got the place at the retreat/rehab and I'm off on my journey on Monday... It can't come any sooner as I am struggling at the moment! I'm still GF and will hopefully reach my 365 days on April 1st, but it's tough! Hope you're well... Xx
Hi gra60, Mixer and Allana,
please see our original post reagrding the temporary unavailability of the Chatrooms here.
We have been looking for a solution since the summer, one that we can integrate with out website, this is not an easy task.
Please bare in mind that we are still offering our other services, the Helpline, the Netline and the Forum, so please make use of these in the meantime.
All the best,
Eva
Forum Admin
Guys, if you need interaction...Why not give a meeting a shot?
In the public domain and this dates back to 2015
One employee earned between £100,001 and £110,000 during the year (2014 – one), and this employee received pension benefit of £5,997 (2014 – £5,850).
https://about.gambleaware.org/media/1053/rgt-annual-report-2015.pdf
Hi gra60
Thanks for this info; that's a really interesting report, that.
I never begrudge "a fair day's wage for a fair day's work" and the CEO's pay doesn't seem overly out of kilter ... but I don't know the full job description, KPIs, etc.
The point is, are Gamcare delivering, on the resources they have. That's for debate, however Gamcare do seek feedback, for example they invited volunteers to form part of a Service User Panel last year - that seems, to me, a good place and opportunity to make our voices heard. (I wonder if Gamcare will repeat the exercise this year ...?)
Back to the Chatroom closure, we were told it would be down a couple of weeks. Whether that was a 'sop' and the closure is likely to be (much) longer, we will see. I would rather be informed of the true state of play, with realistic timescales, rather than be left hanging. Unless a new Chatroom is unvieled in the next few days, and then I'll eat my words!
Let's not forget, though; Gamcare, funded by the gambling industry, has to decide it's own priprities based on how best it feels it can use its resources to help as many of us as best it can. Interaction is one of those ways, and if the chat is down for now, it's down. So we have to look elsewhere if it is. The GA website has a chatroom open 24/7, which, although sparsely attended in my experience, is always open. There's always the 1-2-1 Gamcare netline, still open.
My final point about the Gamcare SLT, I have no doubt they are subect to the same independent scrutiny as any high-profile charity.
Meantime ... we keep calm and carry on!
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Just saying!
Profoundly true Bal 🙂 your point isn't lost on me 😉
Dear Forum Members
We're sorry for the inconvenience and natural frustration you feel about the chat room being down. It will take a bit longer to get the new chatroom up and running. Our web developers are currently working on integrating it into our website so you can log in with your existing forum usernames and passwords. As soon as we can offer better guidance on timescale we will. In the meantime, do give the chatrooms at gamblingtherapy.org a go, or the 24/7 chatroom at Gamblers Anonymous.
Best wishes
Deirdre
Forum Admin
Hello everyone,
Thank you for your feedback and please accept our apologies for the delay in getting our chatroom back up and running. We are integrating new software onto our test site this week, with plans to be able to relaunch a.s.a.P. We apologise if the timescale given originally was not clear.
We do understand that this situation is frustrating, however please know we are working as quickly as we can with the resources we have available. Please do feel free to use our other services, such as the Forum, our HelpLine and NetLine, for support in the meantime.
If you would like any information about our regulator, please see https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission
Regarding recruitment to our Service User Panel, we would be delighted to receive more applications – please see http://www.gamcare.org.uk/service-user-panel for more information.
Kind regards
Catherine Sweet
Head of Marketing and Communications
Hello Catherine
Was wondering if you could give me and fellow posters a current update as to the reinstatement of the chatrooms?
The lack of "transpancy" as to what the exact problem is and the failure to resolve matters, troubles me. Not least, Gamcare seem to consider them helpful to your clients...
"In 2016/17 we were able to offer 643 chatroom hours, supporting 5,000 people. This is a 90% increase in attendance from the previous year."
http://www.gamcare.org.uk/sites/default/files/file_attach/GamCare%20Annual%20Review%202016-17.pdf
gra60 wrote: Whatever the reason to my mind. No site that is perceiving to be assisting and helping those in need, should be acting the way it is.No updates, just treating us cg's with contempt.
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gra60 wrote: The lack of "transpancy" as to what the exact problem is and the failure to resolve matters, troubles me. Not least, Gamcare seem to consider them helpful to your clients...
Well said @gra60 #1 and #12.
Uhoh, a new chat on the way. Fingers crossed.
Hello gra60, degenerate and all forum users.
We understand it's frustrating for you not knowing when to expect updates. So we've created an updates thread over here:
http://www.gamcare.org.uk/forum/chatroom-development-updates-thread
This is where we'll be posting all developments from now on.
Kind regards
Deirdre
Forum Admin
Thank you, Gamcare, for listening and keeping us updated.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
