Forge ahead: escaping the chaos of my gambling life
“At 72, I’ve lived a life full of highs, lows, and resilience from overcoming gambling harm. I’m more than my struggles—I’m a traveler, a community advocate, and someone who’s found joy in unexpected places. This is my story of recovery and rediscovery.”
Photo of framed inspirational art in the Community Newsroom by Rhiannon Davies
By Jenny Jones | Illustration by Olivia Juett | Photo by Zainib Ahmed
Jenny Jones by Zainib Ahmed
I am a 72-year-old cockney and I have a similar story to a lot of the women who have lived experience of gambling harm. But I wanted to tell you about the person I am and not about the person the word addict defines.
Even at my lowest ebb, a little bit of my personality and the characteristics that people love and admire about me would poke their heads above the chaos of my gambling life. I have slowly managed to undo some of the harm caused by my gambling.
Despite the setbacks I have had the most interesting, varied and amazing life. I have visited 39 countries – usually with a backpack, a few pennies and not much else. All you need is to be stoic, kind and have an open heart to all the people you meet on the way.
Another way of finding an alternative to gambling was by getting involved in community projects. I love diversity so it isn't unusual for me to be seen locally at a queer life drawing class or popping into the queer bookshop (Category Is Books) or the Glasgow Zine Library.
Victoria Road is special to me because of the cultural diversity resulting in amazing cafes and restaurants. One of the most interesting things I have taken part in was at MILK cafe (a social enterprise supporting refugee and migrant women), where I attended a Romani cooking class. I experienced such joy – not only did I learn how to cook Romani food, but I was told the history of the Roma people and learnt a few Romani sentences whilst enjoying the delicious food.
Lately, I have also helped develop the website Aila for the homeless charity, Simon Community Scotland. It is aimed at women gamblers and those affected by gambling harm. It contains information on how to get help and allows them to connect with others and not to feel alone. I have also contributed to the website with several poems and I made an artwork called Hiding Behind My Mask. I am proud to say that it now has a permanent place In Edinburgh's Streetreads library – a place which offers a safe reading environment and practical help to the homeless.
I am also taking part in GALLANT, a project led by the University of Glasgow and funded by the Natural Environment Research Council focusing on biodiversity, active travel, addressing flood risk and sustainable energy. At the Hidden Gardens I have been helping to find out the best ways to make compost. I collect data by taking the temperature and PH levels and generally record any changes happening.
In my darkest moments, gambling has taken over my life. But despite that I don't restrict myself and have had many exciting experiences – including taking part in Trust Me, I’m A Doctor with the recently departed Dr Micheal Mosley (no I didn't appear naked!). I even went on Fifteen To One and finished fifth which I am quite proud of. During my travels, I was an extra in two films; one in South Africa and one in India. Life can be all about being in the right place at the right time.
By embracing these opportunities with an open heart and mind, they’ve helped me to find fulfillment and community when I’ve needed it most.