Your wellbeing

Your wellbeing

Find support for your wellbeing, mental health and professional needs, with resources and services for pharmacy professionals across the UK.

Published: 24 May 2024

This was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

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Working in pharmacy with responsibility for people’s health and medicines can be demanding. If you’re finding things difficult, or are concerned about a friend or colleague, there are resources and support available to help.

Support we offer

We want to support pharmacy professionals with their wellbeing, professional development and day-to-day practice.

  • Support in your career development or for you to support others in theirs – our mentoring service is free for members.
  • One-to-one support – our support team of fully qualified pharmacists and advisers are available every weekday (exclusively for RCPharm members).

We also run several online and in-person events – find an event to match your training needs or interests.

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Research guidance and support

This was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. If you're a pharmacy professional keen to be engaged in research and evaluation activities, we have resources and support to help, whether you're experienced or new to research Our support includes tailored 1:1 support sessions, in-depth guidance, and signposting to relevant funding, training and development opportunities. Research and evaluation guides We have developed guidance to help you critically evaluate evidence, develop your own research study, locate sources of funding and disseminate your research findings. Get started with our research and evaluation guide and view more of our research guides below. Clinical audit Research sampling Research posters 1:1 Research support sessions Our research team provides 1:1 research support sessions to help you develop your research potential. these are only a few of the things we can help you with: Understanding research and evaluation Getting started – how can you get involved? Discussing your projects and ideas Finding quality evidence/literature Developing your research project and building a team Finding sources of funding to support your project Developing a funding application Writing a conference abstract Designing a conference poster Evaluating and publishing your research Patient and public involvement (PPI) Applying for or starting your PhD Our 30-minute support sessions are available over the phone or via video conference. When you book a 1:1 session, we'll work with you in advance to ensure that the session is as useful as possible for you.  Please be sure to share with us any relevant information or drafts ahead of the meeting so that we can provide feedback at the session (e.g. conference abstract, draft funding application). After the session, we'll usually send you a follow-up email with a summary of our advice and any other information which may be useful for you. Get feedback on your: Research proposals Grant applications Abstracts Conference posters Journal articles and other publications. Email your draft to [email protected], and we'll be in touch. Please allow at least one week for feedback. Mock interviews When you reach the interview stage for a research funding award or PhD position, our team can arrange a mock interview to help you prepare for your big day. What we need from you: Your grant application or thesis/dissertation will help us select your interview panel and will also help panel members prepare your mock interview. Please send us a few possible dates, so we can check availability of potential panel members (please allocate approximately 2 hours for the mock interview). Let us know if you'd like us to invite someone in particular to be part of your mock interview panel. We can organise your interview via Zoom or face-to-face at RPS London headquarters (please note that we are unable to reimburse travel expenses) so please let us know which one you prefer. Other research events to support your development We offer a programme of regular research training and support events: Our annual conference and annual science & research summit – opportunities to present (poster and/or oral presentation) and publish your work. Instructional webinars. Workshops and seminars at national conferences. See our events calendar for upcoming activities. Read about Science & Research at the 2025 conference. Mentoring Finding a mentor to support you with your research may help you build self-confidence and overcome challenges. Our new mentoring platform helps members to help each other and the profession, regardless of their level of experience. It only takes a couple of minutes to set up your profile. Contact us Contact our research team for further support or guidance at [email protected]. Our support team also offers an expert confidential professional support service with practical advice on the various aspects of pharmacy practice and professional development.

Read more

Raising concerns 

Learn how to raise concerns confidently to protect patients, support colleagues and promote a safe workplace.

Read more

RCPharm Professional support

One-to-one support – every weekday, 9am until 5pm

Call us on 0207 572 2737 to speak to a member of our support team, or you can email us using the link below.

Our one-to-one support service is exclusively for RCPharm members.

Email us at [email protected]

Pharmacist Support resources

Pharmacy professionals can experience significant pressure at work, particularly when workloads are high and services are under increasing demand.

To support your mental health and wellbeing, we’re collaborating with Pharmacist Support, who offer a whole range of services including:

  • Wardley Wellbeing service: a hub of free resources with workshops covering stress management, time management, building resilience, and wellbeing webinars
  • Listening Friends: a telephone service provided by trained volunteers allowing you to talk anonymously about workplace stress
  • Financial assistance: a service to support you with your finances, whether you are on a low income or need support with one-off costs or access to mental and physical health services
  • Specialist advice: a referral service to help you get access to specially trained advisers in benefits, tax credits, debt and employment law
  • Addiction support: support if you are experiencing problems with alcohol, drugs, gambling, eating disorders or other types of dependency. 

Contact Pharmacist Support for free and confidential support on 0808 168 5133 or 0808 168 2233 or email them at [email protected].

Sign up to the Pharmacist Support mailing list for the latest charity developments and resources, and follow the charity on Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Further resources can also be found from the Mental Wealth Academy, such as:

Where to get help in the UK

Across Great Britain, there are many charities and organisations that can support people with mental health issues.

These include charities to support people who are having housing or financial issues.

You and your team can signpost people to these charities.

England

In England, if you work for the NHS you can:

  • Call the NHS Mental Health Hotline on 0300 131 7000 (7am to 11pm every day).
  • Text FRONTLINE to Shout on 85258 for 24/7 support.
  • Access their Wellbeing Resources for newly qualified pharmacists.
  • Access guides, blogs and bitesize learning at www.people.nhs.uk.

A list of mental health charities and organisations can be found on the NHS website. 

Advice around mental health can also be found on the Better Health – Every Mind Matters website.

The Hub of Hope is a UK mental health support database provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma. You can search for local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services in your area.

Watch our NHS England presentation highlighting the support that is available to you and your teams.

Wales

In Wales, there’s a selection of open-access resources and tools at HEIW.

Contact numbers for organisations which provide mental health telephone and online advice, support and services for people can be found here. 

Watch our Health for Health professionals Wales presentation highlighting the support that is available to you and your teams.

Scotland

In Scotland you can access the National Wellbeing Hub for all health and care workers including pharmacy teams in all sectors.

Advice around mental health can be also be found on the Citizens Advice Scotland website.

Watch our Scottish Government presentation highlighting the support that is available to you and your teams.

RCPharm workforce wellbeing survey

Our regular Workforce Wellbeing Survey highlights the mental health difficulties that pharmacists face every day.

We advocate for support for the mental health and wellbeing of pharmacists.

Read the workforce wellbeing campaign