Pharmacist Support, the sector’s dedicated charity, has released its 2023 Impact Report, showing a year of “significant growth and development”.

The charity's investment in digital infrastructure saw visits to its website surge by 49 per cent in 2023, with a 47 per cent increase in pages viewed compared to 2022. This growth is attributed to the enhanced digital presence and a more comprehensive range of information and resources available online. 

Additionally, calls to the peer support scheme, Listening Friends, rose by 74 per cent, facilitated by the introduction of an online referral form. The number of grants awarded also saw a 23 per cent increase, totalling £193,528, thanks to a new online grants portal.

“This past year has shown the impact of our investment in digital, enabling easier access to support, information, and advice, helping more individuals, whilst enabling our charity team to manage demand,” said the chair of Pharmacist Support, Esther Sadler-Williams.

The charity has expanded its wellbeing support with the development of a new online course - 'Embracing a Workplace Wellbeing Culture' - aimed at pharmacy managers, leaders, and supervisors. Its annual ACTNow wellbeing campaigns flourished, with a 29 per cent growth in sign-ups across the three campaigns targeted at students, trainees, and pharmacists. 

To enhance recognition, the charity launched a new video, increasing its presence at various events nationwide and raising sector-wide awareness.

"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. Alongside the growth in Listening Friends support, the number of volunteer hours recorded in 2023 grew by 70 per cent compared to 2022.”

She expressed gratitude to key partners, stating: “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 enabled us to reach many more individuals.”

Reflecting on the financial challenges, Sadler-Williams 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.”

Pharmacist Support received the Small Charity of the Year award at the Association of Charitable Organisations annual awards in 2023.