A new campaign has been unveiled to support the pharmacy community through loneliness.
Pharmacist Support, the profession’s independent charity, is calling on the pharmacy community to join the Walk for Wellbeing campaign. With the strapline, ‘Tackling loneliness one step at a time’, the campaign aims to raise vital funds for the charity’s free and confidential support services while fostering connection across the sector.
From short local strolls to bigger challenges, Walk for Wellbeing invites pharmacy professionals, students, friends, and families to organise walks in their communities. Participants can sign up via the charity’s website to access a downloadable fundraising pack, interactive wellbeing tools, and tips for setting up a JustGiving page.
The campaign responds directly to findings from the charity’s joint 2024 Workforce Wellbeing Survey with the RPS, which revealed that 70 per cent of pharmacy professionals felt lonely or isolated often or very often, 35 per cent reported poor or very poor mental health, and 87 per cent were at high risk of burnout.
Danielle Hunt, Chief Executive of Pharmacist Support (pictured), commented: “Pharmacists work tirelessly to support their communities, but many feel isolated when carrying out their role. This campaign is about bringing people together, sparking meaningful conversations, and funding the services people turn to when they’re struggling.”
The campaign will be kick started in September with a flagship joint wellbeing walk, hosted in partnership with long-standing charity partner, the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA). As a major supporter of the charity, both through funding and far-reaching advocacy, the PDA continues to play a vital role in helping Pharmacist Support raise awareness and deliver its services to those who need them most.
Hunt added: “The PDA has been an incredible partner to the charity standing alongside us to champion the wellbeing of our pharmacy family. Their support – both in funding and in amplifying our reach – has allowed us to connect with thousands more individuals across the profession. We’re proud to be launching this campaign together and hope their involvement will inspire other organisations to walk with us because wellbeing is something we must all protect, together.”
Register your interest via the charity’s website: https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/fundraise-for-us/walk-for-wellbeing/
