Interrupt the moment before harm happens.
Calm & Steady is a protected prototype built from lived experience to support people affected by gambling harm in high-risk moments: urges, chasing losses, payday risk, relapse, shame and isolation.
The full Calm & Steady prototype is not publicly available. A one-page overview can be requested for private feedback from people connected to gambling harm, lived experience, recovery, safeguarding, public health, mental health or digital support.
Request prototype overviewImportant: Calm & Steady is not a crisis service, clinical treatment or financial advice.
Created by Craig Dempsey.
Calm & Steady was created by Craig Dempsey, a gambling harm awareness advocate with lived experience of addiction, recovery, emotional collapse and rebuilding.
This project is built around one simple idea:
Interrupt the moment before harm happens.
Calm & Steady is not a replacement for professional, clinical or crisis support. It is a lived-experience support concept designed to help people pause, tell the truth, avoid chasing losses, protect money and take one safer next step.
One steady step at a time.
A practical pause tool, not another judgement.
Calm & Steady helps someone slow the moment down, take one safer action, listen to lived-experience audio, contact support, and protect themselves before gambling harm escalates.
Urges, chasing losses, relapse, payday risk, shame, isolation and crisis signposting.
Short 1–2 minute voice notes designed for difficult moments.
Includes a route for people who feel they have nobody to message.
Currently in private review.
The full prototype is not being shared publicly. Reviewers are first sent a one-page overview, then invited to give private feedback on usefulness, safety and clarity.
The Urge Wall
A structured pause before gambling: stop, breathe, tell the truth, protect money and contact support.
10-Minute Lock Screen
A simple rule: no gambling decision while the urge is loud. Stay, breathe, listen, message and protect.
Chasing Losses Mode
Interrupts the dangerous thought: “I can win it back.”
Money Danger Mode
Payday, refunds or debt pressure become protection moments with safe money steps.
No-Shame Reset
After gambling, the app focuses on stopping the damage, truth, support and the next honest step.
Nobody to Message
For people who feel alone, the app points to helplines, chat, emergency support and safer next steps.
Lived experience with a clear purpose.
Calm & Steady is developed by Craig Dempsey, drawing from lived experience of gambling harm, recovery and advocacy.
Craig’s work focuses on gambling harm awareness, recovery conversations, lived-experience insight and interrupting harm before it escalates.
For organisations that want lived-experience insight.
Talks and training around gambling harm, recovery, trauma, money risk, workplace awareness and practical support.
Gambling harm awareness
Understanding the impact beyond money: shame, secrecy, chasing, relationships, work and wellbeing.
Enquire about awareness talk
Frontline conversations
How to speak with people in distress without judgement, shame or overcomplicated language.
Enquire about frontline training
Digital support design
How lived experience can shape safer, clearer tools for high-risk moments.
Discuss digital support design
Blog, YouTube and book.
Connect Calm & Steady to Craig’s wider writing, videos and recovery work.
If gambling is causing harm, get support now.
UK support: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133. Samaritans 116 123. Emergency services 999 or A&E if immediate risk.
Review, speaking, partnerships and feedback.
For Calm & Steady prototype review, lived-experience speaking, training or collaboration enquiries, contact Craig directly.
Contact Craig
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