Clare, our paths have crossed over the years as you have moved between roles. You’ve had an interesting career path (plus you were a participant on one of my early RenewYou courses), and now you have a role with a gambling charity. No not as a croupier, (!) but very much on the other side of the fence. I know you have a particular focus on women and gambling. Can you describe what your role is?
First, can I say I loved doing RenewYou – it really gave me a confidence boost at the right time. I am even thinking of becoming a trainer when I next make a change! (Jane: Thank you, I’d love to have you. I’ve met so many fabulous women through RenewYou and stayed in touch, it’s such a privilege to hear about their adventures.)
Women and Gambling
Now I’m the Training and Engagement Lead for the leading gambling support charity in the UK, called GamCare. I work in the Women’s Programme.
I deliver webinars on women and gambling harms, and also speak to those affected my gambling addiction to signpost them to our free services.
Even as I was typing this an item came on BBC Radio about the increase in gambling and its associated problems. There is so much advertising now which has clearly contributed to the problems. Do you think the new style of advertising is more ‘female friendly’?
In the UK 98% of women now gamble online so the adverts are very successful in encouraging women to ‘have a go’. The adverts depict gambling as a community/friend’s effort. However problem gambling is often an isolating experience, it’s a hidden activity linked to shame and stigma, and women often feel reluctant to share their fears.
Signs of Gambling Addiction in Women
What are the first signs women should look for either in themselves or friends or partners, that might indicate their occasional flutter is becoming a serious problem?
Mainly the need to borrow money, overspending, needing to diversify their method of gambling (i.e. when casinos and amusement arcades shut down during Covid, women diversified to scratch cards or one line apps where they could have a casino ‘in their living room’).
Other things to be mindful of are the need to conceal their gambling, changes in mental health, and increasing difficulties in their relationship.
What Are The Particular Issues for Women?
Clare, are there any risks/issues which particularly affect women?
There are many risk factors, but the main ones are isolation, trauma, abuse and neglect as children, poverty, the need to escape domestic abuse, and peer pressure particularly prevalent amongst young people and often linked to gaming.
Is it particularly difficult for women to either wean themselves off gambling, or in how they get addicted in the first place?
Evidence suggests that women start gambling later in life than their male counterparts but become more addicted more quickly than men; we are still researching the reasons for this. Due to stigma and guilt women are often reluctant to tell anyone about their problematic gambling, or even share amongst their family.
Gamblers Anon Mainly Used By Men
Gamblers Anon is an amazing service but often used primarily by men. Women often prefer to talk with other women and are not aware of the services available with GamCare, which include webinars, chat rooms and forums. We also provide one to one free counselling which is confidential and non-judgemental.
What is needed to address this problem?
Greater awareness and having more conversations. I provide a 90 minutes CPD webinar which is CPD Accredited and would be delighted to offer training to anyone interested in knowing more.
Career Path
I mentioned at the beginning that you had an interesting career path. What was your route to this job?
I worked for many years in blue chip companies like BT, Virgin and Orange mainly in training and management. As you know, I was also the Corporate Trainer for North Somerset Council for 10 years. I love training and I really enjoy working for a charity now. We’re providing a service which I hope will is really helping the community in a small way.
I also know that you’re impressively committed when it comes to getting qualifications. What are you currently working on?
My company have kindly given me a day release to go back to college and complete my studies in Psychotherapy, and as I head into semi-retirement in a few years I’d like to become a freelance counsellor.
Finding Love in Later Life
I know from our pre interview catch up that you’ve recently found romantic happiness, relatively late in life. I do love a happy story so if you’re happy to share anything…?
I’ve always considered myself a little ‘unlucky in love’. During Covid a friend persuaded me to join Tinder and after a couple of not so compatible dates, I met Ed, and we fell in love pretty much overnight. We are currently looking to buy a house together and plan to marry in the US next year. I have never felt happier, and it goes to show at 53 you can still find love and feel like a teenager all over again!
Congratulations! My friend, Dr Mairi Macleod uses her background in evolutionary biology to help women over fifty find partners. Her interview is really interesting on this topic and like you she found love later on in life. Yes, monkeys play their part. Do you think you were looking for something different ‘second time around’? How did you find romance?
I think I stopped worrying about it and really did find happiness in my life as a single woman. I joined lots of activities from amateur dramatics to 5k running groups, and I was so busy in my life I didn’t have time to really think about it too much.
Future Plans
And finally, I know you have a book idea swirling around in your head that is partly finished. Can you tell us a bit more about it?
Yes certainly. My friends often find me humorous and my surname is Leakey, so when something haphazard happened they’d say ‘only in Leakeyland…!’ My book is called ‘Life in Leakeyland, a journey of living, laughing and loving’ it’s a series of lessons I have learnt throughout my life, the kind of book I’d have written and shared with a daughter if I’d have been fortunate enough to have one.
Clare, thank you so much for sharing some of your story here. I am so pleased to hear your news and I hope that the valuable information you’ve shared will help some people avoid some of the pitfalls of gambling. Where can we find out more about your seminars?
If you’d like more details please email me at clare.leakey@gamcare.org.uk and this is GamCare’s website.
I can also attend team meetings, community events and networking groups and I’d be delighted to help. Thank you for this opportunity, Jane.
It’s an important topic and if you are reading this wondering if gambling is become an issue for you, please do get in touch with Clare. She’s lovely and so friendly!
RenewYou, My Tried and Tested Career Booster!
RenewYou has helped thousands of women make positive and lasting change in their lives. I deliver it one-to-one as part of a bespoke coaching package for women looking to move into leadership, to progress their career, or who wish to be the absolute best version of themselves.
Posted on April 2nd, 2022 by Jane
