IVC Evidensia has donated £100,000 to Vetlife, the charity which delivers support to the veterinary community through its three core services:
Vetlife Helpline,
Vetlife Health Support and
Vetlife Financial Support.
During the course of 2021 Vetlife Helpline responded to a total of 3,390 contacts, equivalent to an average of over 65 contacts per week. In the same year Vetlife Health Support funded 187 onward referrals for mental health support– up by 27% since the onset of the Covid pandemic.
Unprecedented challenges during pandemic
The last two years have brought unprecedented challenges for the veterinary community in providing for the health and welfare of animals. As the UK’s principle support charity for the veterinary community Vetlife has also seen similarly unprecedented demands on its services.
During the period of the pandemic, Vetlife Financial Support has provided more than £200,000 in grants and gifts for those facing financial difficulty. The most common themes discussed in calls to Vetlife Helpline in 2021 were concerns about mental health needs, stress, and a wide range of work–related issues. Vetlife’s trained volunteers have additionally responded to people experiencing physical health problems, self-harm, family or relationship issues as well as to those who have experienced bullying, violence or abuse. During the year 1 in 12 people who contacted its Helpline service talked about suicidal thoughts.
Thanking IVC Evidensia for the donation, Vetlife President Graham Dick said: “We must hope that as the situation with Covid is steadily brought under control, there may be longer term relief for the many hard pressed veterinary professionals, whose goal throughout has been to provide the best possible healthcare for animals of all types.
“This donation by IVC Evidensia is both welcome and timely. It helps us to replenish our Vetlife resources, which have been drawn upon to meet the range of challenges we have faced over the last couple of years. Such generosity further strengthens our ability to provide the future support needs of the veterinary community we serve.”
Lisa King, IVC Evidensia Group HR Director added, “We are delighted to support Vetlife, who provide invaluable support to the veterinary community across the UK. They are a trusted and confidential service to many of our employees and our donation will help provide support to develop their online resources library which will be accessible to all.”
Vetlife Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on:
0303 040 2551 or via anonymous email at
https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/