From Addict to Advocate: A Personal Story

Embark on a remarkable journey with Aaron Abbott, Business Manager at Morgan Hunt and Founder of Against the Odds, who is using his own lived experience of his gambling addiction, as a catalyst for positive change by establishing a social enterprise focused on educating young people about the dangers of gambling.

In this exclusive interview, Aaron Abbott will candidly share his story, shedding light on the devastating effects of addiction and the transformative power of hope and resilience. We'll explore the lessons learned from his personal journey, including vital steps taken to overcome addiction and build a thriving social enterprise.

Whether you seek guidance as an individual, a concerned parent, an educator, or a community leader, this must-attend webinar provides an extraordinary opportunity to learn more about gambling addiction and how to overcome it.

Speaker

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Aaron Abbott

Aaron had spent his entire working career in Education Recruitment, having spent the last 7 years with Morgan Hunt. He specialises within the Vocational Recruitment space throughout Further Education across the Midlands. Despite not placing a bet for over 2.5 years, Aarons career was often halted and slowed down due to his gambling issues, losing over 250k since the age of 16.

Thankfully at the start of lockdown, Aaron read an article relating to gambling suicide and felt the need to finally do something about it after attempting to quit for over a decade. At first he ensured he kept himself busy walking 15/20 mile every weekend with friends - he then started to create various Programmes and Presentations that he could deliver to a variety of end users, with a specific focus on 16-24 year old's.

The Core of ATO’s delivery focuses on Aarons journey as a gambling addict starting at College, Identifying a problem, The transition of social gambler to problem gambler, gambling advertising, marketing and sponsorship, understanding your credit report, identifying a problem within yourself or others, mental and physical impacts of addiction, routes of support available (to name a few).

Upon formally creating Against The Odds in August 2022, Aaron realised throughout this Education (School, College & University) or playing sport at county level, not once was he educated around an 18+ product that as a country, we advertise around the clock. "The Impact we have had so far in addition to the messages from both staff and students has been overwhelming"

The business has already delivered to the likes of Barnsley FC, Sheffield Wednesday, MAKE UK, NFL Academy via Loughborough College & Steven Gerrard Academy in Tenerife. With upcoming assignments with Aston Villa, Coventry City and various others.

In addition to the delivery side of the business, ATOAC (Against The Odds Awareness Club) also launched in Digbeth (Feb 23) raising Awareness of problem gambling within 16-24 year old's. The Club has teamed up with Birmingham Sportswear giant Luke1977 to release a Home and Away Shirt each year, with all profits reinvested back into the business. The Club also has its own football team and are currently in talks to play against various Professional Club Foundations to raise money for both parties.

Host

Clare Keniry
Clare Keniry
Morgan Hunt Board Director and Head of Diversity & Inclusion

Clare Keniry is a Board Director and head of Diversity & Inclusion at Morgan Hunt, working with clients to ensure that their recruitment strategies are diverse and inclusive. The recruitment process is a critical element of bringing diverse talent into an organisation and we help organisations to ensure that every step is as consciously inclusive as possible. Within Morgan Hunt, she also leads the development of a diverse & inclusive culture. She has over 20 years’ experience working within the recruitment industry with extensive networks spanning both the private, public, and not for profit markets, having worked across the UK and Australia. Driving authentic diversity & inclusion is one of the biggest challenges facing employers and Morgan Hunt are committed to working with organisations to support the development of a truly diverse and inclusive workplace.

Watch this webinar recording now

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