Connection isn’t just a nice idea it’s something we all need. In pharmacy, where the pace is relentless and roles can feel isolating, finding moments of genuine human connection can make all the difference. I recently had the pleasure of joining Melissa Cochrane on the Pharmacist Support podcast to talk about loneliness in our profession, and how we can support each other better. You can listen to it here.
The quiet weight of isolation
At the PDA, we often hear from pharmacists who feel alone, especially those dealing with employment disputes or fitness to practise issues. These are deeply personal challenges, and it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one going through them. But you’re not. We’re here to stand beside you, to advocate for you, and to connect you with the support you need.
Loneliness can creep in from many directions:
- Locum pharmacists moving between unfamiliar workplaces.
- Roles in remote or niche settings, like prisons or industry, where peer interaction is rare.
- High workloads that leave no time for a proper break or a chat.
- Feeling undervalued or facing ethical dilemmas alone.
- The stigma around mental health that keeps people silent.
Support that goes beyond the job
At the PDA, we don’t just offer legal advice, we offer care. Through our partnership with Pharmacist Support and other initiatives, members can access:
- A 24/7 confidential counselling line
- Structured counselling sessions
- Mental Health Awareness Courses
- The ‘Lead Well, Live Well’ programme
- A network of Wellbeing Champions
- PDA Plus benefits like gym discounts and income protection
- Help with workplace adjustments for mental health
We also recognise how financial stress can deepen isolation. That’s why we offer budgeting support, income protection options, and legal advocacy to help members feel more secure.
Connection is a remedy
Loneliness isn’t just about being alone, it’s about feeling unseen. Connection is about being acknowledged, valued, and emotionally safe. Even small gestures like a quick check-in, a shared tea break and a kind word can lift someone’s day. Paying it forward doesn’t just make the recipient feel valued, it also creates a positive feeling in the person doing it.
Here are a few ways to build connection:
- Micro-moments: Ask how someone’s doing, use their name, say thank you.
- Rituals of togetherness: Tea breaks, buddy systems, wellbeing walks.
- Patient-facing connection: Listen actively, add personal touches.
- Digital connection: WhatsApp groups, virtual check-ins.
My journey
When I moved to the UK and went through the Overseas Pharmacy Assessment Programme (OSPAP) programme, I didn’t have a local support network. That experience taught me the power of mentorship and community. It’s why I now try to be that person for others, whether through mentoring, speaking at events, or simply checking in.
As a fitness instructor, I’ve seen how movement and music bring people together. During Covid-19, I co-led Combat Warriors classes at Tang Hall Community Centre in York. People came not just to exercise, but to feel part of something, to feel connected. That’s where I used the principle to ‘teach to the back row’ and to look out for those who feel invisible. Sometimes, the person who wants to be the most invisible, needs connection the most. That principle guides how I lead in pharmacy too.
Stories that connect us
One of the most powerful ways we connect is through storytelling. When pharmacists share their experiences at PDA events, in webinars, or wellbeing campaigns, it breaks the silence and builds solidarity. Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s a bridge that connects us as humans.
I remember speaking at the British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (BPSA) and sharing my own story. What resonated with the audience wasn’t my title, it was the honesty and authenticity. The best version of yourself, is your true authentic self and students saw themselves in my journey. That moment created connection.
Final thoughts
If you’re feeling isolated or overwhelmed, please know that you’re not alone. Support is out there. Whether through the PDA, Pharmacist Support, or your peers, reach out. Let’s keep showing up for each other, for ourselves, and for the future of pharmacy.
By Jay Badenhorst, PDA Director of Pharmacy
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