The Shield conference will bring together professionals from across sectors to increase awareness and understanding of gambling harms

The SHIELD conference will bring together, professionals, practitioners, organisations and people with lived experience to explore gambling harms through a recovery focused lens.

At Empowerment, lived experience is at the heart of what we do. We believe that people should be seen, heard and supported, and that meaningful change happens when we work alongside people rather than simply doing things for them.

The conference will bring together lived experience, professional expertise, research and practical approaches, creating a space to share knowledge, challenge stigma and explore how we can improve the support available to individuals, families and communities affected by gambling harms.

The day will provide opportunities to learn, listen, connect and challenge the way we think about gambling harms, while recognising that recovery is different for everyone. Attendees will hear personal stories of change, resilience, exploring effective approaches to support and prevention, and connect with organisations working to make a difference.

SHIELD represents the values at the heart of the conference:

S – Support

Creating safe, compassionate and accessible pathways for people affected by gambling harms.

H – Hope

Recognising that recovery is possible and that gambling does not have to define someone's future.

I – Inclusion

Making sure people affected by gambling harms feel welcomed, heard and valued, without judgement or stigma.

E – Empower

Supporting people to regain confidence, choice, control and belief in their ability to create positive change.

L – Lived Experience

Putting the voices, knowledge and experiences of people affected by gambling harms at the centre of the conversation.

D – Direction

Helping people find their own pathway forward and connect with the support, opportunities and relationships that can help them build a positive future.

SHIELD looking beyond gambling harms.

This is not a conference about gambling,

It is about People,

It is about Recovery

It is about Hope

It is about what comes next

Hosted by Empowerment Charity.

Description supplied by the event organiser.