Pharmacists already give so much through their work that they should be incredibly proud of. Evidence shows that giving and acts of kindness can support your own wellbeing, as well as helping others. Giving can  include small everyday acts of kindness, such as thanking someone, smiling at a patient, or doing something kind for a friend or for someone you do not know.

Seeing how your happiness is connected to the wider community can be rewarding and help you build stronger connections with the people around you. Volunteering can be an effective way to achieve these benefits.

The Building resilient communities report found that the following volunteering activities proved most beneficial in terms of increasing wellbeing:

• peer support, including self-help groups, peer-led education and advice
• counselling
• organising and/or participating in environmental projects
• volunteering in health settings, particularly when involved in the direct care and education of patients
• mentoring and teaching programmes
• social support of older people
• providing palliative/hospice care
• organising community activities
• volunteering within a religious community.

Giving just a few hours of your time each week can make a difference to your wellbeing:

• do something you love
• list the skills you have to offer – it is not just about your professional skills, for example, housekeeping, driving, fundraising and organisational skills are very much in demand
• don’t be afraid to commit – even one hour a week can help
• go digital – there are apps that can help you to help others
• students can get their pharmacy school involved.

For further information about volunteering, see our webpage below or the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) website.

This page brings together key resources and support to help you give to others. This includes information on giving and supporting colleagues, as well as ways to donate, volunteer, partner with us and share your experience.