A video featuring Diane Leicester–Hallam and Mark Koziol providing more detail and the rationale behind our new PDA – Pharmacist Support initiative is available to view
The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has today announced that from now on, it will be donating £1 from the membership fee of every single member to the profession’s charity Pharmacist Support. The PDA is committing to making this contribution on an ongoing basis to support the work of the charity in assisting pharmacists and their families, former pharmacists, trainees and Mpharm students through any challenging times they may face.
“I am proud and delighted to announce that The PDA has decided to make Pharmacist Support our formal charity partner” commented PDA Chair Mark Koziol. “This will represent a contribution of more than £27,000 for this coming year alone and as the PDA membership continues to grow in the future, so will our contribution.”
Sharing a similar mission to that of the charity and driven by the same founding principles of supporting people within the pharmacy profession, this PDA – Pharmacist Support partnership will bring with it many benefits. Working alongside the PDA, the charity will identify and develop packages of support in areas where there is an unmet need for the benefit of all pharmacists.
As an independent organisation Pharmacist Support provides access to free and confidential assistance. “Often the PDA will refer its members in need of that extra pastoral support to the charity” said Pharmacist Support Chief Executive Diane Leicester-Hallam. “Sometimes, we find that even if they have been well supported by the PDA and have achieved a positive outcome, sadly, the emotional aspects of their experience can impact on their confidence and self-esteem.”
Working with the PDA in this way enables the charity to identify and raise awareness of trends and highlight key issues affecting pharmacists and pharmacy students today. It will often use this knowledge to develop online resources and new services. This increased awareness, however, comes at a cost. As demand increases so does the costs of delivering this free and confidential support.
“This financial commitment from the PDA is crucial to our ongoing support of the profession and enables the charity to plan ahead” said Diane. “We’re absolutely delighted by this news. None of us can predict what is around the corner and unfortunately, we can’t always be prepared for it. Every day we receive calls from people in difficult situations and donations like this one from the PDA will enable us to continue to be that much needed crutch for people and to change lives for the better.”
The PDA recognises that many pharmacists will already have their chosen charities to which they will make financial contributions and that is entirely proper. For those pharmacists who wish to support this initiative themselves however, over and above the contribution that is already being made by the PDA, on joining or renewing their PDA membership on line, the PDA will enable direct donations to be made to this very important cause if they wish to; on an entirely optional basis of course.
About Pharmacist Support
- For information on Pharmacist Support visit www.pharmacistsupport.org
- Pharmacist Support is an independent charity for pharmacists and their families, former pharmacists, pre-registration trainees and pharmacy students and is funded by donations from pharmacists and pharmacy organisations.
- Pharmacist Support was previously known as The Benevolent Fund of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, and was re-launched in 2008 to reflect the modern day needs of today’s pharmacists. Pharmacist Support became a charitable company limited by guarantee in 2015, company number 9237609 and charity number 1158974.
- The charity provides confidential advice and support with issues relating to stress, welfare, addiction and finance.
- All services are FREE of charge and include; an information and enquiry service, financial assistance, debt, benefits and employment advice, a stress helpline (Listening Friends), home visiting, addiction support (Health Support Programme) and the Wardley wellbeing service.