Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2016

Gambling Harm Awareness Week - Whânau Time!

5-11 September is New Zealand’s inaugural Gambling Harm Awareness Week (replacing Gamblefree Day).

Sadly, over 250,000 New Zealanders are gambling in a way that places them at risk of harm. They might be losing too much money, spending too much time, chasing their losses, or feeling guilty, sad or frustrated about their gambling. For these people, the support of loved ones can be an important source of motivation and strength to make healthy changes.

That’s why this year’s Gambling Harm Awareness Week theme is Whânau Time!

Whether it’s the family you were born into, or the important people you love and trust, spending time with your Whânau can help you stay happy and healthy. By gardening, eating, walking, talking or just chilling with the people we care about, we can all do our bit to help end the pain of harmful gambling.

The Army’s gambling support service, The Salvation Army Oasis, along with other service providers and local agencies, are celebrating living healthy lifestyles by focussing on well-being, development and self-determination at family fun days throughout the country – and raising awareness of the dangers of harmful gambling on individuals, their loved ones and the community.

Choice not Chance (Health Promotion Agency) are running a Facebook based competition that allows you to enter a Whānau photo showing you participating in family activities. The competition will start in early September and run until 19 September to ensure entries from local events can be included. There are a range of prizes, which support the concept of families doing activities together. Follow this link to check it out.

Below are the regional events where The Salvation Army Oasis will be celebrating Whanau Time around the country.

Auckland

The Salvation Army Oasis in Auckland is supporting the GFIT (Growing Financial Independence in Tamaki) event for Money Week.

Activities will celebrate healthy families with a fun family event, prizes, music, free sausage sizzle, dancing and much more.

Event: Money Week
Where: Mayfair Place, Glen Innes
When: 10am – 2pm 6 September 2016

Hamilton

KaChing: Pokie Nation - Free movie screenings for Gambling Harm Awareness Week.

If you’re keen to learn more about what you can do about gambling harm in your whânau or community, the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand, The Salvation Army Oasis, Te Runanga o Kirikiriroa, K’aute Pasifika, Waikato Migrant Resource Centre, Anglican Action, and Age Concern invite you to join us for one of six community screenings of Ka-Ching: Pokie Nation (kachingfilm.com). This ground-breaking and critically-acclaimed documentary reveals just why pokies are the number one cause of gambling harm – and what you can do about it. Light kai/refreshments will be provided, with Q&A to follow.

Event: KaChing: Pokie Nation - Free movie screenings

Confirmed Screenings are as follows:
 
Tuesday, 6 September: Waikato Migrant Resource Centre, 46G Boundary Road, Hamilton 6pm-8pm 
To confirm attendance contact: Patricia Novoa on 07 8382192 

Wednesday, 7 September: Anglican Action, Te Ara Hou Village, 100 Morrinsville Road, Hamilton 12pm-2pm
To confirm attendance contact: Kay or Rose on 07 8382569
 
Wednesday, 7 September: K’aute Pasifika,  Waikato Migrant Resource Centre, 46G Boundary Road, Hamilton 6pm-8pm 
To confirm attendance contact: Peni Seru on 07 834 1482
 
Thursday, 8 September: Launch Enderley, Enderley Park Community Centre, 66 Tennyson Rd, Enderley, Hamilton , 6pm-8pm 
To confirm attendance contact: Rob Whitiora on 022 069 3262
 
Friday, 9 September: Age Concern, Celebrating Age Centre, 30 Victoria Street, Hamilton, 12pm-2pm 
To confirm attendance contact: Gail Gilbert on 07 838 2266
 
Friday, 9 September: Salvation Army, Salvation Army, 99 London Street, 1pm-3pm 
To confirm attendance contact: Marcus Collings on 0274 91 0013

Wairarapa

The Salvation Army Oasis and Best Care, Palmerston North, are holding a free screening of KaChing: Pokie Nation. There will also be a free barbecue and food provided for the Whanau watching the film.

Event: KaChing: Pokie Nation - Free movie screening
Where and when: Cameron House, Stuart Crescent, Masterton - 1pm, 7 September

Wellington

The Salvation Army Oasis in Wellington is supporting the United Communities event celebrating healthy families.

United Communities is in the heart of Cuba Mall on Saturday the 3rd of September. Come and enjoy the performances and giveaways, and check out the health promotion stalls!

Hosted by the Problem Gambling Foundation and Mapu Maia, United Communities is about celebrating healthy families, and kicks off Gambling Harm Awareness Week for 2016. Awesome organisations, performers and sponsors who encourage health and well-being in our community will be contributing. See you by the Bucket Fountain on Saturday the 3rd of September, between 11am and 3pm.

Event: United Communities, celebrating healthy families
Where and when: Cuba Street Mall, Wellington, 11am – 3pm, 3 September

Porirua

On September the 16th The Salvation Army Oasis will be joining with Ora Toa and Te Taeaomanino and two other organisations in an event in Cannon's Creek at the Cook Island Hall, Porirua from 6pm till 8pm.

Join us for a fun night with the family. Food and entertainment will be provided.

Venue: Te Akapuaga Hall, Cannon's Creek, Porirua
Date: Friday,16 September,
Time: 6 - 8pm

Christchurch

The Salvation Army Oasis is hosting a Community Day on Saturday September 3rd to celebrate Gambling Harm Awareness Week starting on the 5th of September.

Various health organisations will promote their services with family focussed entertainment in the form of bouncy castles, face painters, entertainment throughout, photo booth opportunities, Disney princesses floating around for photos and a scavenger hunt organised where people have to find key words around that spell out our key message for the day – ‘Is gambling affecting your whanau? Make a difference - act now!’

Event: Gamble Free Community Day 2016
When and where: 3 September, 10am – 2pm, Linwood Avenue School 260 Linwood Avenue, Christchurch

Dunedin

The Salvation Army Oasis in Dunedin is celebrating Gambling Harm Awareness Week as a collaboration with Te Roopu Tautoko Ki Te Tonga and Problem Gambling Foundation in an effort to promote time spent with whānau instead of time lost to gambling. 

A family fun day is planned.

Event: Gamble Free Community Day 2016
When and where: Hammerhead MMA Complex Mosgiel, 7 Gladstone Road South, Mosgiel, Dunedin

For more information on where The Salvation Army provides gambling support and to take the first step, click here.