Meet the AFGSN Leads
Ian Whiteside – AFGSN Operational Lead - Beacon Counselling Trust
Ian spent 4 years with the 4th Battalion Parachute Regiment and feels a strong sense pride on successfully completing P Company and earning his Military Parachute Wings as a reservist.
Ian is a professional Youth and Community Worker, with an MSc in Drug Use and Addictions with over 25 years’ experience working in the field. Ian has worked extensively in drugs and alcohol treatment, education and prevention programme, residential care settings, lead on projects supporting vulnerable young people involved in risk-taking behaviours, and worked across a range of initiatives within the statutory and voluntary sectors concerning risk-taking behaviours and public health issues. Since 2019, Ian has been part of the Beacon Counselling Trust Early Intervention and Education Team implementing programmes and services to address gambling related harms.
“I can relate to gambling issues and gambling harms being something that needs to be considered within the armed forces, this was something that I recognised was often part of the culture and environment, alongside alcohol, within a work hard play hard culture.”
Andy Gallie – Beacon Counselling Trust
Andy gambled from the very young age of 9 years old, with an intervention attempted at the age of 13. Joining the Royal Navy at 18 escalated the issue further, with peer pressure, risk taking, drinking, the new found ego from now being a serviceman, all on top of credit not only being available, but encouraged to be taken. Andy served for 13 years, visited 63 countries, and gambled in all but 3.
Since entering Gordon Moody residential rehab centre in 2021, Andy has dedicated his efforts on using his lived experience, and that of those he loves, to help educate and aid prevention for others.
"I set out with a genuine thought, that if I could help just one other family avoid the pain and devastation that I had caused mine, that I would be very happy. The AFGSN has allowed me to reach and impact many more, and it has also secured my own recovery and instilled purpose back in my life. I am now able to fulfil the potential that gambling once restricted"
Jamie Higgings – RCA Trust
Jamie Served for 18 years in the Army with 1 RHF/2 Scots and did a few tours in his time including Afghanistan and Iraq. After the army, Jamie was a peer support worker with NHS Borders as a lived experience worker, meeting all different kinds of people from all different backgrounds, including Veterans.
Having done his current role at RCA Trust since 2024, it opens your eyes to the damage and impact this addiction can have, not only on the individual, but on the close family and friends and wider community.
“We are trained to handle pressure, but gambling isn’t just a bit of fun, I can take hold without you noticing. Look out for yourself and your mates, there’s strength in stepping back and speaking up.”