The Big Step, a charity aiming to reduce problem gambling, has signed a partnership with Swansea City football club to help raise awareness and provide education on the risks associated with gambling.

The football-focused gambling education project, part of the Gambling with Lives charity, will work with the Championship club to help delivery community-based education, training, awareness and signposting programmes, on reducing gambling harms.

Recovering gambling addict and Swansea supporter Nick Phillips, will deliver the 18-month gambling harms prevention programme.

The Big Step project was formed from those with lived experience of gambling related harm, and in September, the charity’s members took part in a 130-mile walk, calling for an end to gambling advertisement in football.

Senior programme manager at Gambling with Lives and The Big Step founder James Grimes, said: “As a recovering gambling addict, I am passionate about preventing young people going through the same thing that I did.

“This partnership will show how football can be a positive social vehicle in preventing and reducing gambling harms in its community through our education, awareness and signposting work.”

Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris, added: “This programme will play a critical role in ensuring that young people are made aware of the real risks of gambling and gambling addiction.”