Lena* was a pharmacy student at the University of Hertfordshire. She applied for the Pharmacist Support Student Bursary due to struggles in her final year of university. She has shared with us the difference the bursary made to her journey and where she is today thanks to the support she received from the charity.

“I will always be grateful for being awarded the bursary to support the achievement of my goals.

At the time of my application in 2020, I was uncomfortably close to dropping out of the MPharm course after 3rd year due to financial struggles coupled with health issues and the pandemic. A mentor of mine in university informed me of the Pharmacist Support bursary and I was encouraged to apply as she knew it would greatly help my situation.

I can tell you in full honesty, being awarded the bursary made it possible for me to complete my MPharm degree and graduate.

A considerable amount of worry and stress was alleviated when I used the funds toward my tuition fees, allowing for further access to the course and support from university staff in regards to my physical and mental health conditions. The 4th year of study was fairly hectic and posed a number of challenges as I still had health and financial issues to deal with, but I made it. I was able to get through everything I had faced and continue with my education because the bursary and emotional support from my family members and friends.

The day after the graduation ceremony in September 2021, I moved to Pembrokeshire, Wales, to begin my foundation year training as I had been accepted as an NHS pre-registration trainee pharmacist in a community pharmacy in Pembroke Dock. Unfortunately, my foundation year training start date had to be deferred while a Designated Supervisor was found for me which took longer than anticipated. My training started 3 months or so after other trainee pharmacists in the 2021/22 cohort. Initially an upsetting development, I did my very best to carry on despite the circumstances.

The pharmacy had no regular community pharmacist and was running on locums – the lack of continuity affected both pharmacy staff and patients. During this period in time, different stressors in both my personal and professional lives catalysed exacerbations of my sickle cell symptoms. I would show up to work when I was well enough, resorting to using up sick days and studying at home when I was too unwell to practice safely, all while waiting on a new Designated Supervisor to be assigned. It was such an isolating time, having to deal with everything while being ill in a new place with no family or friends. A new site and Designated Supervisor were finally assigned to me and I was due to start in November 2021. The pharmacy staff were experienced and professional, and day-to-day practice produced numerous learning opportunities for myself as a trainee pharmacist.

However, I found myself struggling despite the positive change in my circumstances. I am a very family oriented person and not knowing anyone in the area, I was homesick and missing my family terribly. It was not easy; having trouble dealing with chronic sickle cell pain and the anaemia that comes with sickling, in addition to prolonged PCOS periods. The 52 week period of my foundation training was littered with different obstructions to my professional development and adversity in my personal life. Now – in a freshly unveiled 2024 – as I reflect on the past few years, I am glad I persevered and overcame everything that happened. I am grateful now for those many periods of ill health as I was further motivated to complete my training, to gain the necessary knowledge to help patients that attend a pharmacy I am working in.