#SGWeek23 #ESGWeek 23 – How EPIC’s values drive our safer gambling objectives

One of the things that struck me the most when I finally plucked up the courage to open that door and step into the room at a Gamblers Anonymous meeting was the normality of the people in there, they were after all ‘just like me’. I had built up this preconceived idea that people who ‘needed’ this sort of thing are weak… stupid… desperate… not ‘like me’.

Well, it turned out not only were they like me, they absolutely weren’t any of those prejudiced, poorly but often churned out clichés for people ‘like us’.

I use that memory regularly in my work at EPIC, whether it’s in the format of while delivering training, speaking to potential clients at conferences or – and I think the most important time – when reflecting on how far we have come as a company in such a relatively short time.

?As we approach our 10th anniversary and I approach my second at EPIC, it staggers me at times how quickly we have progressed. It’s absolutely normal behaviour for me and our brilliant team to be delivering our Safer Gambling sessions (often including members of FTSE 100 companies’ SLT), designing and building brand new training modules, giving interviews on podcasts, attending and speaking at conferences and many things in between.

?I think it would be fair to say that should you have asked any of our team prior to joining EPIC, did we see ourselves doing this? You would be met by a resounding “NO CHANCE”!

?How we have been able to do this is huge kudos to the entire basis that EPIC is built on. Everyone is ‘just like me’, whether it’s through the prism of lived experience – a core belief of our entire structure – or to the guys and girls in the office, the belief that we are all in this together and all share the common goal is something I have never experienced in my professional career.

?Whilst many places I have worked are quick to use and promote their company values, at EPIC they are things I see being applied in every area and as absolute common practice. "Authenticity, Excellence, Integrity and Collaboration" might sound like buzz words thrown together for a press release, but they are integral to the relationships we all develop at EPIC both internally and externally. Last but not least, the fifth of our company values is "People… at the heart of what we do" and is essentially why we do what we do. To help people, the fact that I work with everyone facing a common goal is incredible.

As with all businesses, there will be bumps along the road, drawing on the vast experience we are amassing both in gambling harm lived experience and equally importantly professional and life experience I can only see a continued upward trajectory for the EPIC family.

?It’s an unusual feeling to be so proud of telling people what you do for a living and who you work for and with. Just like walking into the unknown of that GA room, it’s absolutely been worth the risk. It’s a pleasure to be part of this incredible group of people and EPIC journey.

?

Here’s to the next ten years!

?

To learn and hear more about EPIC’s services and how they can support your business, join EPIC’s mailing list here:

https://bfe3bb8e.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAB-cQ-5YNBlNEsOJmggAH8J-YytNMrw0oblAM25l2WjOViZxVJI6gXwZFRsGzEQpagVcFCXfLHfSa2PKkYVarX7g5c0A09nOfWfDk7ru93XgiaYAxDUO683pFeaO6ZzfzWY4HD8cDd6wzIKFZda9G-79VZUBKyrTZwlvGOsfNYCb0CNXp-zSjEhfoXTNoKV80unTjGvQlB8H