Pharmacist Support's latest report underscores increased spending on counseling, addiction support, and grants, alongside celebrating key milestones in their support for the pharmacy community
Pharmacist Support has released its 2023 Impact Report, revealing significant growth in digital access and well-being initiatives.
The report shows a 49 per cent increase in website visits and a corresponding 47 per cent rise in pages viewed compared to the previous year.
These improvements reflect the charity's investment in digital infrastructure to enhance access to critical services for pharmacists nationwide.
Additionally, calls to the peer support scheme, Listening Friends, increased by 74 per cent , aided by the introduction of an online referral form.
The charity also reported a 23 per cent rise in financial grants awarded, amounting to £193,528, through a new online grants portal.
Esther Sadler-Williams, Chair of Pharmacist Support, highlighted the impact of these advancements, stating:
"This past year has shown the impact our investment in digital has had, enabling easier access to support, information, and advice, helping more individuals, whilst enabling our charity team to manage demand."
Pharmacist Support also expanded its wellbeing initiatives in 2023, including the launch of the 'Embracing a Workplace Wellbeing Culture' online course.
Moreover, they charity garnered increased participation in its ACTNow campaigns aimed at promoting mental health awareness among pharmacy professionals.
The campaign saw a total of 29 per cent growth in sign-ups across the three campaigns targeted at students, trainees, and pharmacists.
"We were also delighted to increase our pool of volunteers," added Sadler-Williams “focusing particularly on student ambassadors to help us improve awareness of our services and support to those at the beginning of their pharmacy journey."
"Alongside the growth in Listening Friends support, the number of volunteer hours recorded in 2023 grew by 70 per cent compared to 2022," she added.
Expressing gratitude to key partners, Esther Sadler- Williams emphasised the pivotal role of donations from charity partners such as the PDA and Teva UK.
She stated, “The donations of our charity partners, the PDA and Teva UK, enabled us to further our mission to support the wellbeing of our pharmacy family."
"Other support from organisations such as Boots, Locate a Locum, Clinical Pharmacy Congress, RPS, BPSA, CPPE and the Pharmacy Show helped us to develop our campaign activities and enabled us to reach many more individuals.”
She also acknowledged the increased expenditure on counseling, addiction support, and grants compared to initial plans.
She noted, “Although we have spent more on counselling, addiction support, and grants than we had planned, the Board was pleased to continue to facilitate support where it is most needed."
"However, rising inflation has been a challenge, and coupled with the increased demand for our services, we will continue to work to increase donations in order that we can exist for our beneficiaries in perpetuity.”
Sadler-Williams expressed pride in Pharmacist Support’s achievements over the past year, highlighting feedback from service users and industry recognition.
She remarked, “We are extremely proud of the help we have been able to offer over the past twelve months.
"With 100 per cent of service users saying they would come back to us again if they needed further advice or support in the future, and recognition from our colleagues in the charitable sector in the form of the ‘ACO Small Charity of the Year’ Award, it really brought home to us just what we have been able to achieve.”
Looking ahead, Pharmacist Support remains focused on advocating for sustainable funding to meet the growing demand and continue supporting pharmacists across the UK.
