EPIC forms safer gambling education programme with BSA schools

Gambling harm minimisation consultancy EPIC Risk Management (EPIC) will advise the UK’s Boarding Schools Association (BSA), developing a series of high impact gambling awareness seminars for BSA member schools.

The BSA extends its arrangement with EPIC, who over the past 12-months have spoken at BSA conferences, addressing independent school stakeholders on gambling harm risks and dynamics.

Cementing its relationship, the BSA have invited EPIC to be their official partner and provider of education and awareness in the areas of gambling and gaming, and its impact on the UK’s youth.

Andrew Lewin, BSA Director of Training & International said: “BSA is delighted to welcome EPIC as an official partner to help recognise the work they do in such a vital area that potentially affects so many young people. His honesty and knowledge are driven by his passion to make a difference and his experiences paint a very vivid picture for all to engage with.”

In its statement, EPIC and the BSA praise the work of former cricketer Patrick Foster, leading EPIC’s education programmes, which to date have directly reached over 20,000 young people this year, developing a support network with the country’s leading educational decision-makers and most high-profile headteachers.

“It is extremely exciting to become official partner to the BSA and we look forward to working with them going forward and building on an already phenomenal relationship. It has been an honour and pleasure to speak at many of the conferences this year and to have the opportunity to provide invaluable education to so many young people, parents and teachers going forward is something that I am extremely proud of. It is wonderful to see an organisation with an unrivalled reputation and presence in this space giving us their full support.”  Patrick Foster commented on EPIC education directives.

Backing EPIC and BSA continued partnership EPIC Chief Executive, Paul Buck, stated: “EPIC is committed to the prevention and mitigation of gambling-related harms. In addition to being leaders in this area in financial services, professional sport and the gambling industry it is an important social element of our business to educate and inform the first tech-savvy generation coming through our education system. We believe lived experience plays a big part in that, as long as it is delivered in a safe and evidenced way. We are delighted to partner with the BSA and are working closely with a leading university and liaising with the Gambling Commission to ensure this adds to the evidence bank of the National Strategy for Gambling Harms.”