In 2022 , BVNA signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with the charity Vetlife , forming another new partnership to support its membership . At the BVNA Congress in October last year , BVNA ' s president Charlotte Pace also announced Vetlife as the new ‘ charity of choice ’ for her presidential year , so it is the perfect candidate for VNJ ' s first charity profile .
Vetlife provides free and confidential support to anyone in the UK veterinary community who has emotional , health or financial problems . This includes veterinary surgeons , veterinary nurses ( VNs ), students and close relatives and dependants of veterinary professionals .
It provides this support through a confidential and anonymous telephone and email support service , which operates around the clock , 356 days a year , as well as publishing related information and advice . It also offers other practical solutions such as signposting to evidence-based mental health therapy and financial advice , as well as , in some circumstances , providing emergency financial assistance and regular grants .
Background and mission
The charity was founded by a small group of veterinary surgeons in Manchester in 1865 and was originally known as the Veterinary Mutual Defence Society . Over the decades , it has taken on many forms and adapted its offering to the needs of veterinary professionals at the time . In 2015 , the charity rebranded as Vetlife , with its core offering becoming Vetlife Helpline , Vetlife Health Support and Vetlife Financial Support .
Vetlife ' s mission is :' To provide support to members of the UK veterinary community and their families who have emotional , health or financial concerns , while seeking ways to prevent such situations in the future .'
Support needs vary according to circumstance and may involve short-term support ( to cope with an immediate crisis and help to become independent and self-sufficient again ) or longer-term support for those affected by age , ill health or disability .
Vetlife supports veterinary nurses with personal and professional issues
• Employment issues
• Workplace conflict
• Compassion fatigue
• Adapting to regulation
• Performance anxiety
• Financial difficulties
• Stress and depression
• Complaint management
• Studying pressure
• Exercise and nutrition
• Lifestyle and wellbeing
• Trauma and loss
• Relocating with your role
• Loneliness and isolation
• Drug or alcohol dependence
Rebecca Winter , BVNA Mental Health and Wellbeing Team Co-ordinator and BNVA Council member , with Charlotte Pace , BVNA President , and James Russell , Vetlife trustee .
BVNA and Vetlife
The MoU lays out how BVNA and Vetlife will work together to achieve the shared objective of supporting mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary community through their individual and joint activities .
BVNA and Vetlife are independent organisations that enjoy a supportive working relationship for the overall benefit of veterinary and allied professionals . The MoU builds on , and formalises , the relationship between the two organisations while recognising the continued independence of each .
By supporting each other and combining resources , BVNA and Vetlife can strengthen the information and support available to VNs , through the provision of distinct yet complementary support services , along with mutual signposting where appropriate .
Volume 38 ( 1 ) • February 2023
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