Three Sides of the Coin project places people with lived experience of gambling harm as advocates for social change. As knowledge-holders and ‘experts by experience’, their stories are woven into theatrical performances to ignite discussions about gambling in our communities.
Three Sides of the Coin project reflects the conference themes:
• Creating inclusive and healthy communities – by benefitting participants both personally in their recovery journey, and empowering them to be advocates for social change. Participating in the arts helps reduce social isolation, strengthens community connection and builds self-esteem, and can also powerfully influence community’s awareness, attitudes and behaviour.
• Transdisciplinary alliances – the performance highlights the intersections between gambling, mental health, alcohol, drugs, and family violence, breaking through these artificial boundaries, impacting professional practice as well as framing gambling as a public health issue.
At this conference, Three Sides of the Coin project will present a potent authentic performance by people who have lived experience of gambling harm. The performers know gambling from the inside, and have the courage to overcome shame in order to share their painful experiences, both of gambling or being affected by a loved one’s gambling.
In the past we have performed at Conference plenary sessions (100-400 delegates), with performers weaving in and out of the audience, as well as on the stage.
The 20-30 minute performance is followed by a dynamic 10-15 minute guided discussion among delegates, enabling the audience to unpack and gain insights from what they’ve just witnessed, and explore ways of approaching the often unasked and stigmatised gambling question, challenging the professionals present to break through siloed thinking.

Learn more about Three Sides of the Coin project and watch our 20min documentary here:
http://www.linkhc.org.au/three-sides-of-the-coin/