Moving Miles for Mind

In these challenging times I wanted to call out a massive thank you to all our colleagues across the business, as well as our members and partners. All have worked tirelessly to support our communities and maintain crucial pharmacy services across the country. A fantastic job.

During this crisis, in so many examples across the UK, local people have demonstrated the strength of community. It’s been particularly striking to see how communities have come together to overcome challenges and support one another through difficult events, whether that’s with local Whatsapp groups, shopping for an elderly neighbour or just checking in on someone whose particularly vulnerable to see if there’s anything extra we can do to help.

This has made me think about what we could do at Avicenna to continue to support our communities. So far we’ve helped through supporting local homeless charities and other community groups by donating PPE, we’ve increased free medicine deliveries to protect our patients and established a partnership with EDF Energy where their meter reading team have volunteered to assist independent community pharmacies who would otherwise have struggled to meet the needs of patients.

There’s always more that we can do and here at Avicenna I’d like us to contribute as much as we’re able to. You may have seen in the news the challenges being faced by healthcare based charities, with reduced fundraising opportunities and increased demand.

We have decided that we would like to support Mind. With so many of our fellow citizens living through challenging times we felt we could help this charity continue the great work they do to support the UK population. Every year, 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem. Mind believe no one should have to face a mental health problem alone, supportive and reliable information can change lives. Mind are there to give that support.

To this end we are asking you, our Avicenna community to support us to support Mind by committing to Run, Cycle or Walk during the month of June. I’d love everyone to get involved as much as they’re able to. Please email Jacky (jacky.field@avicenna.org) and let
her know how many miles you, your friends or family are able to do throughout June, everyone is welcome to participate, the more the better. We would also love you to help us to gather sponsorship. We’ve set the goal of collectively reaching 10,000 miles and
£10,000.

Please visit our website to get involved: www.members.avicenna.org/moving-miles-for-mind

Thanks again for your continued support and let’s come together to make this happen!