Betknowmore UK

History and Founding

Betknowmore UK was founded in December 2013 by Frankie Graham, who had personally experienced gambling addiction for nearly 20 years before achieving recovery in 2006. The charity was built on the core belief that people with lived experience of gambling harms are best placed to support others. This philosophy permeates every aspect of the organisation, from service design to governance, with experts by experience involved in co‑production, delivery, and evaluation.

Services

Betknowmore UK’s principal service is Peer Aid, a free digital peer‑support programme for anyone aged 18 and over. Peer Aid trains volunteers who have lived experience of gambling harms—either as individuals who gambled or as affected others—to provide one‑to‑one support. The service is designed to be accessible and non‑clinical, offering a safe space for people to talk about their experiences. New Beginnings is a dedicated service for women affected by gambling harms, recognising that women’s experiences and support needs often differ from men’s. It provides tailored, gender‑sensitive support. GOALS (Gambling Outreach and Lived Experience Support) is an outreach programme that takes support directly into communities, working with local partners to reach people who may not otherwise seek help. Beyond direct support, Betknowmore UK offers training and consultancy for organisations—including local authorities, healthcare providers, and employers—to help them understand and respond to gambling‑related harm. The charity also runs community outreach and awareness‑raising activities such as events, talks, and information sessions.

Partnerships and Funding

Betknowmore UK is part of the National Gambling Support Network, funded by GambleAware, and collaborates with the NHS, Islington Council, and other north central London boroughs. In 2025, it secured over £250,000 in cross‑London partnership funding to expand services for women and community‑based support, running from January 2026 to December 2027. The charity has a strong track record of partnership working, which has been key to extending its reach.

Governance

The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees. The senior management team includes CEO Leanne Downie, Head of Operations Andrew Purslow, and Director of Finance and Operations Matt Smith. Founder Frankie Graham remains involved and is listed as Founder/CEO on his personal LinkedIn profile, but the current CEO per the charity’s official management page is Leanne Downie. Betknowmore UK is registered with the Charity Commission (number 1190760) and has a company size of 11–50 employees. Its headquarters are in London, and it continues to grow its impact through innovative, peer‑led models and strategic partnerships.