London, 28 August 2024: Sam Starsmore has been with Ygam for over four years, becoming Programme Lead for Education in 2021 and playing a significant role in the growth of the charity. He leaves Ygam having made a huge impact on the organisation, the sector, and his colleagues. Below, Sam provides us with some parting thoughts before he moves on to pastures new.
As I close the chapter on my time at Ygam, I find myself reflecting on the journey we’ve shared over the past four years. It’s been a period filled with growth, learning, and a deep sense of purpose as we’ve worked together to establish Ygam as the leading charity working to safeguard young people against gaming and gambling harms.
Having personally experienced the harms of gambling from the age of 16, my primary motivation for entering this sector was to raise awareness of how gambling harms can affect individuals, families, and communities. Joining the charity in July 2020 as the National Education Manager: Sports, Ygam provided the opportunity for me to transform my life. I had the opportunity to use my lived experience to make a positive impact by building and nurturing relationships with sports clubs, foundations, and community trusts across the country. This collaboration has become a vital part of our work, recognising the significant influence sports clubs have within their communities. Football is one of my passions and I also had the privilege of working closely with League Football Education, integrating Ygam into their Life Skills Programme, where clubs can now opt for Ygam to deliver specialised education on gaming.
When I transitioned into my current role as Programme Lead: Education in October 2021, it marked my first leadership position, and it’s been a role I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I am incredibly grateful to have been part of an organisation that empowers and develops individuals with lived experience into leadership roles. Leading six regional Training & Engagement Managers on Ygam’s Education Programme has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. By fostering a working environment built on trust, flexibility, and positivity, my team has consistently achieved success in meeting our strategic goals, expanding our reach, and increasing our impact year after year. One message from a team member particularly stands out to me, capturing the significance of creating a supportive and high-performing environment: “I never previously felt encouraged, valued or seen. You changed that for me by being so transparent, friendly, and welcoming, while also providing direction and support – and because of that, I’ve regained the confidence in myself that I’d lost over the years.”
The charity holds extensive knowledge across both the gaming and gambling sectors, and I’ve been able to use my expertise in gambling to shape our evidence-based workshop content and inform our policy responses. Ygam recognises the valuable insights within the lived experience community. Therefore, inviting community members to share their experiences has been crucial for enhancing our staff’s knowledge. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the years, now delivering multiple training programmes tailored to diverse audiences and professions. The charity’s foundation is rooted in lived experience, and that principle guides all our decisions.
A few months before joining Ygam, I experienced a relapse. The trust and faith extended to me during that time is something I will always deeply appreciate. It’s no coincidence that I’ve remained abstinent throughout my time at Ygam, and I attribute this to the supportive culture and the individuals who have stood by me in my recovery at work.
As I transition from Ygam to a new role, that brings me closer to helping individuals improve and rebuild their lives after gambling harm, my senior leaders have fully supported this move, which speaks volumes about the culture of this incredible charity and the people within.
Education is crucial to preventing gambling harms in the UK, and charities like Ygam play a vital role in ensuring society is aware of and equipped to address these harms. I leave Ygam in a strong position, having remained undistracted by sector politics and consistently seeking collaboration with anyone who shares our overarching mission.
To those I’ve had the privilege to work with over the past four years, thank you for your support in achieving our shared social purpose.
