UK’s first dedicated support programme for LGBTQ+ people affected by gambling harms

The University of Brighton has been announced as the official evaluation partner for Recover with Pride, the UK’s first dedicated support programme for LGBTQ+ people affected by gambling harms.

The groundbreaking initiative brings together three leading organisations: Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard, which provides trusted, identity-affirming support to LGBTQ+ communities nationwide; Reframe Coaching, known for its lived experience-led approach to gambling harm recovery; and the University of Brighton, whose researchers will lead national evaluation and analysis on LGBTQ+ gambling harms.

"LGBTQ+ people deserve gambling harm support that sees them, hears them, and works for them."

Evidence shows that LGBTQ+ people face disproportionately high risks of gambling-related harm, often driven by minority stress, discrimination, and significant barriers to accessing mainstream support services. Recent research from the University of Brighton found that bisexual men were twice as likely to experience severe gambling harms than other LGBTQ+ groups, underscoring the urgent need for tailored interventions.

As part of its role, the University of Brighton will deliver a rigorous, research-led evaluation of the Recover with Pride programme, ensuring the support offered is effective, evidence-based and shaped by the real experiences of LGBTQ+ people. By integrating lived experience into academic research, the university aims to strengthen future service provision, inform national policy, and drive wider change across the gambling harm sector.

A spokesperson for the University of Brighton said the partnership represents a vital step forward: “This is more than a project, it’s a movement. We’re proud to stand alongside Switchboard and Reframe Coaching to say: LGBTQ+ people deserve gambling harm support that sees them, hears them, and works for them.”