At The Cotton Street Project in Liverpool, we see every day that recovery from gambling addiction is a community effort, and yours is a vital part of it. Our work supporting individuals and families across the Liverpool City Region is built on a foundation of compassion and practical help. Whether you’re an individual moved by our mission, a community group, or a local business, your support directly contributes to a stronger, healthier Liverpool. This guide outlines the tangible ways you can join us in this critical work.
Make a Direct Impact with a Donation
Financial support is the lifeblood of our charity, allowing us to plan and deliver vital services with confidence. Your donation doesn’t just cover overheads; it directly funds the frontline work that changes lives in our city. From keeping the lights on at our support hub to printing resources for our street outreach teams, every pound makes our mission possible.
Where Your Money Goes: From Outreach to Recovery
Your contribution has a clear and direct journey. It helps fund our dedicated peer support groups, where individuals find solidarity and understanding from those who have walked a similar path. It enables our outreach work, connecting with vulnerable individuals across Liverpool who may not yet have asked for help. Crucially, it allows us to provide in-depth information and guidance on tools like GamStop, the national self-exclusion scheme, and to work alongside national partners like GamCare to ensure a comprehensive support network for those in need.
Simple and Secure Ways to Give
We have made donating straightforward and secure. You can choose the method that suits you best:
- Online via JustGiving: Our JustGiving page is a fast, secure way to make a one-off or monthly donation. It also allows you to add Gift Aid, boosting your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you.
- Bank Transfer: For direct donations, you can transfer funds straight to our charity bank account. Please contact us at [email protected] for our account details.
- PayPal: A quick and familiar option for many, available through our website.
Give Your Time and Skills as a Volunteer
Time is one of the most precious gifts you can offer. Our volunteers are the heartbeat of The Cotton Street Project, extending our reach and enriching our community with diverse skills and perspectives. By volunteering, you become a direct point of human connection and hope.
Volunteer Roles That Make a Real Difference
We have a variety of roles to match different interests and skillsets. You could be supporting our ‘GamCare Liverpool’ outreach initiatives, helping to distribute literature and signposting services in the community. Other volunteers provide crucial administrative support at our hub, help organise fundraising events, or use their lived experience (with appropriate boundaries) to mentor and support others in a peer-led setting. Every role is vital.
The Journey to Becoming a Cotton Street Volunteer
We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for both our volunteers and our clients. The process begins with an informal chat to explore your interests. For roles involving direct contact with vulnerable adults, a standard DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is required, which we will process and pay for. You’ll then receive induction training to equip you for your role. The personal rewards—gaining new skills, being part of a dedicated team, and seeing the direct impact of your contribution—are immense.
Fundraise for Us in Your Community
Harnessing the spirit of your own network can have a phenomenal impact. Community fundraising not only raises essential funds but also spreads awareness of gambling harm and recovery support in new circles. It’s a powerful way to engage your friends, family, or colleagues in a cause that matters.
Fundraising Ideas That Inspire Action
Get creative and have fun while supporting a serious cause. You could organise a sponsored walk along the iconic River Mersey waterfront, host a charity quiz night at a local pub, or take on a personal challenge like a run or cycle. Bake sales, charity football matches, or even a ‘give up gambling for a month’ sponsorship challenge are all fantastic ways to engage people and start conversations about responsible gambling UK.
How We Support Your Fundraising Efforts
You won’t be doing it alone. Our team can provide you with materials like branded T-shirts, collection tins, and digital assets. We can help you set up a dedicated fundraising page on our JustGiving platform, making it easy for sponsors to donate securely. We’re also here to offer advice and cheer you on every step of the way.
Become an Advocate and Spread Awareness
One of the most significant barriers to recovery is stigma. By becoming an informed advocate, you can help break down this barrier in your own community. Talking openly and knowledgeably about gambling addiction helps to normalise seeking help and directs people to vital resources.
Starting Conversations About Gambling Harm
Learn the key facts about gambling addiction—it’s a recognised mental health condition, not a moral failing. Familiarise yourself with the signs of harm and the support available, such as the GamStop self-exclusion scheme and the GamCare National Helpline. Share this knowledge compassionately. Simply mentioning The Cotton Street Project or national helplines when the topic arises can be a lifeline for someone silently struggling.
Amplifying Our Message Online and Offline
Use your voice on social media to share our posts about gambling recovery support and gambling addiction help UK. Follow us, engage with our content, and help it reach a wider audience within the Liverpool City Region and beyond. Offline, you could display our leaflets in your workplace, community centre, or local shop. Awareness is the first step towards change.
Partner with Us as a Local Business
Local businesses are integral to the fabric of our community, and partnership can create powerful, mutually beneficial relationships. Aligning your business with our cause demonstrates a profound commitment to the social wellbeing of Liverpool and its residents.
We welcome discussions on various partnership models. This could include setting up a payroll giving scheme for your employees, where donations are made tax-efficiently from their salary. Many companies offer matched funding, where they match the money raised by staff. You might also consider sponsoring a specific element of our work, such as a recovery programme for young adults, a series of peer support meetings, or one of our community events. Such targeted support provides tangible outcomes you can share with your team and customers.
Every single action, no matter the size, strengthens the safety net for someone in Liverpool struggling with gambling addiction. Your donation, your time, your voice, or your partnership adds another thread of hope and practical support. Thank you for considering how you can be part of Liverpool’s recovery community.