A Dose of Wellbeing: the Pharmacist Support podcast

Neurodivergence in Pharmacy: What It Means for Wellbeing and Support

Description  In this mini episode of A Dose of Wellbeing, Melissa Cochrane is joined by Malika Hunter for a conversation about neurodivergence in pharmacy, why it matters for wellbeing, and how the charity is supporting pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and pharmacists. Together they explore what we mean by neurodiversity and neurodivergence, the kinds of challenges people may face in study, training and work, and why recognising different needs can help people thrive rather than simply push through.  Guest bio  Melissa Cochrane is Pharmacist Support’s Senior Wellbeing Development Manager. She oversees the charity’s wellbeing offering and volunteer programmes, including the counselling partnership and online Wellbeing Learning Platform. Melissa has an extensive background as a counsellor/psychotherapist and a keen interest in simple, evidence-informed practices that can enhance physical and mental health.  Malika Hunter is Senior Marketing and Communications Officer at Pharmacist Support. Malika helps deliver a creative and effective marketing, communications, and fundraising strategy that elevates the organisation’s impact.  Podcast sponsorship  This podcast has been sponsored by leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of human pharmaceuticals, Orion Pharma (UK) Ltd., enabling us to further our mission to support the wellbeing of our pharmacy family. Please visit their website to find out more their core therapy areas and services: https://www.orionpharma.co.uk/ [https://www.orionpharma.co.uk/]  Resources and references   Pharmacist Support  To find out more about support services, please visit our website: https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/]   Wellbeing Learning Platform: https://pharmacistsupport.clcmoodle.org/local/roadmaplogin/login.php [https://pharmacistsupport.clcmoodle.org/local/roadmaplogin/login.php]   Our additional mental health and wellbeing support page includes details of organisations that provide support for people with specific neurodivergent conditions: https://pharmacistsupport.org/i-need-help-managing-my/mental-health-and-wellbeing/additional-mental-health-support/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/i-need-help-managing-my/mental-health-and-wellbeing/additional-mental-health-support/]   Help us to support more of our pharmacy family Pharmacist Support relies on generous donations to provide our charitable services and support. If you enjoyed our podcast episode today, please consider making a donation so we can continue creating more content to support mental health and wellbeing in pharmacy. Thank you: https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/donate/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/donate/] Disclaimer  The content of this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pharmacist Support.

Different Minds, Stronger Teams: Neurodiversity in Pharmacy and Beyond, with Dr Danielle Adams

Description  In this episode of A Dose of Wellbeing, we’re joined by Dr Danielle Adams, a pharmacist and expert in supporting mental health and neurodiversity in organisations, for an honest and practical conversation about what neurodiversity can look like in pharmacy and how we can create workplaces where different minds can thrive.  Danielle helps us unpack common misconceptions, the strengths neurodivergent colleagues can bring, and why traditional workplace expectations can create unnecessary barriers. We also explore practical adjustments, how assessments and diagnoses can impact support, and the different ways neurodivergence is framed from the medical model to the social model.  Whether you’re curious about neurodiversity, reflecting on your own experiences, or thinking about inclusion in your team, this episode is an invitation to explore different perspectives on neurodivergence in pharmacy and beyond.  Guest bio  Dr Danielle Adams is a UK-registered pharmacist with a PhD in Education and Psychology. She brings together clinical work, research, teaching and lived experience to help healthcare teams and businesses take more inclusive, practical approaches to mental health, neurodiversity and intellectual disability. Danielle also publishes in academic journals, reviews research papers, contributes to national guidance, advises organisations, and is a trustee for Mind in Mid Herts.  Podcast sponsorship  This podcast has been sponsored by leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of human pharmaceuticals, Orion Pharma (UK) Ltd., enabling us to further our mission to support the wellbeing of our pharmacy family. Please visit their website to find out more their core therapy areas and services: https://www.orionpharma.co.uk/ [https://www.orionpharma.co.uk/]  Resources and references   Pharmacist Support  To find out more about support services, please visit our website:   https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/]   Wellbeing Learning Platform: https://pharmacistsupport.clcmoodle.org/local/roadmaplogin/login.php [https://pharmacistsupport.clcmoodle.org/local/roadmaplogin/login.php]   Our additional mental health and wellbeing support page includes details of organisations that provide support for people with specific neurodivergent conditions:  https://pharmacistsupport.org/i-need-help-managing-my/mental-health-and-wellbeing/additional-mental-health-support/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/i-need-help-managing-my/mental-health-and-wellbeing/additional-mental-health-support/] Help us to support more of our pharmacy family Pharmacist Support relies on generous donations to provide our charitable services and support. If you enjoyed our podcast episode today, please consider making a donation so we can continue creating more content to support mental health and wellbeing in pharmacy. Thank you: https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/donate/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/donate/] Disclaimer  The content of this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pharmacist Support.

Stress Awareness Month Special: Workplace Stress

Description  In this mini episode of A Dose of Wellbeing, Danielle Hunt is joined by Pharmacist Support’s Senior Wellbeing Development Manager, Melissa Cochrane, for a special conversation to mark Stress Awareness Month. Together they explore what workplace stress is (and how it differs from burnout), the signs to look out for, and practical ways to reduce and manage stress at work. The episode also looks at what employers and leaders can do to create healthier working environments because managing stress shouldn’t sit with individuals alone.   Guest bio  Danielle Hunt is Chief Executive of Pharmacist Support. With extensive charity sector experience, she joined the charity in January 2019 and has led the development and implementation of a wellbeing-focused strategy to ensure Pharmacist Support continues to meet the changing needs of the profession.  Melissa Cochrane is Pharmacist Support’s Senior Wellbeing Development Manager. She oversees the charity’s wellbeing offering and volunteer programmes, including the counselling partnership and online Wellbeing Learning Platform. Melissa has an extensive background as a counsellor/psychotherapist and a keen interest in simple, evidence-informed practices that can enhance physical and mental health.  Podcast sponsorship  No sponsor.  Resources and references   Pharmacist Support  To find out more about our support services, please visit:    https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/]   What is stress? https://pharmacistsupport.org/i-need-help-managing-my/mental-health-and-wellbeing/what-is-stress/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/i-need-help-managing-my/mental-health-and-wellbeing/what-is-stress/]    Managing stress: https://pharmacistsupport.org/i-need-help-managing-my/mental-health-and-wellbeing/managing-stress/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/i-need-help-managing-my/mental-health-and-wellbeing/managing-stress/]    Wellbeing Learning Platform (including our Stress Management and Building Resilience workshop): https://pharmacistsupport.clcmoodle.org/local/roadmaplogin/login.php [https://pharmacistsupport.clcmoodle.org/local/roadmaplogin/login.php]   Wellbeing support for leaders and employers - Embracing a Workplace Wellbeing Culture: https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/wellbeing-service/embracing-a-workplace-wellbeing-culture/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/wellbeing-service/embracing-a-workplace-wellbeing-culture/]    Workforce survey highlights strain on pharmacy teams: https://pharmacistsupport.org/news/workforce-survey-highlights-strain-on-pharmacy-teams/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/news/workforce-survey-highlights-strain-on-pharmacy-teams/]    External   Stress Awareness Month: https://www.stress.org.uk/stress-awareness-month-2026/ [https://www.stress.org.uk/stress-awareness-month-2026/]   Deloitte research on mental health and employers: https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/services/consulting/research/mental-health-and-employers-the-case-for-employers-to-invest-in-supporting-working-parents-and-a-mentally-health-workplace.html [https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/services/consulting/research/mental-health-and-employers-the-case-for-employers-to-invest-in-supporting-working-parents-and-a-mentally-health-workplace.html]  Help us to support more of our pharmacy family Pharmacist Support relies on generous donations to provide our charitable services and support. If you enjoyed our podcast episode today, please consider making a donation so we can continue creating more content to support mental health and wellbeing in pharmacy. Thank you: https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/donate/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/donate/] Disclaimer  The content of this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pharmacist Support.

185 Years of Support: Celebrating Partnership, Community and Wellbeing

Description  In this special episode of A Dose of Wellbeing, we’re marking Stress Awareness Month and celebrating Pharmacist Support’s 185th birthday.  Host Melissa Cochrane is joined by Danielle Hunt and Mark Koziol to explore how partnership can make a real difference to wellbeing across the pharmacy profession.  They reflect on the long-standing relationship between The PDA and Pharmacist Support, the impact of over £342,000 in donations, and the growing challenges facing pharmacy today. You’ll also hear powerful examples of how this support is helping individuals through difficult times and reminding people they’re not alone.  To celebrate this milestone, The PDA is doubling its donation to £2 for every new member who joins between 15 April and 15 May — a simple way to support both organisations and help more people access vital support.  If you’re looking for an honest, supportive conversation about wellbeing in pharmacy, this episode is a great place to start.  Guest bio  Mark Koziol is Chairman of The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) which he established in 2003 in the wake of the Peppermint Water case. Determined to ensure that no pharmacist should ever have to rely upon the legal support of their employer again in the event of a serious incident, Mark has devoted the majority of his professional career ensuring that employee and locum pharmacists have a voice. The PDA defends pharmacists in any work-related incidents and is also dedicated to helping create safer working environments and more professionally fulfilling roles for pharmacists. Today, The PDA is the largest membership organisation for pharmacists in the UK with over 40,000 members. Mark also serves as Council member of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Member of the FIP Data and Intelligence Commission, Co-Chair, Pharmacists Without Borders International and architect of the hugely successful ‘Medicines To’ worldwide humanitarian initiative.  Podcast sponsorship  No sponsor.   Resources and references   Pharmacist Support  To find out more about support services, please visit our website: https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/]   Wellbeing Learning Platform: https://pharmacistsupport.clcmoodle.org/local/roadmaplogin/login.php [https://pharmacistsupport.clcmoodle.org/local/roadmaplogin/login.php]   Our work with The PDA: https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/partner-with-us/pda/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/partner-with-us/pda/]   External  Stress Awareness Month: https://www.stress.org.uk/stress-awareness-month-2026/ [https://www.stress.org.uk/stress-awareness-month-2026/]   Help us to support more of our pharmacy family Pharmacist Support relies on generous donations to provide our charitable services and support. If you enjoyed our podcast episode today, please consider making a donation so we can continue creating more content to support mental health and wellbeing in pharmacy. Thank you: https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/donate/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/donate/] Disclaimer  The content of this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pharmacist Support.

From MPharm to MP: A Conversation With Pharmacist Politician Taiwo Owatemi

Description  In this fascinating episode of A Dose of Wellbeing, we’re joined by pharmacist and MP Taiwo Owatemi to talk about her journey from pharmacy into politics, including what motivated her to make the transition and who inspired her along the way. Taiwo reflects on the skills she has carried from pharmacy into Parliament and how she looks after her wellbeing in a public, often high-pressure role, including managing online hostility. She also shares what a good wellbeing day looks like for her and offers her perspective on the current challenges facing pharmacy and the wellbeing pressures affecting the profession. Guest bio  Taiwo Owatemi is a pharmacist who became an MP at age 27. At the time of the podcast recording, she is the Labour MP for Coventry North West and holds the Government post of Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury.  Podcast sponsorship  No sponsor.   Resources and references   Pharmacist Support  To find out more about support services including counselling, please visit our website: https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/how-we-can-help/]   Wellbeing Learning Platform including our Live the Life You Want to Lead wellbeing workshop: https://pharmacistsupport.clcmoodle.org/local/roadmaplogin/login.php [https://pharmacistsupport.clcmoodle.org/local/roadmaplogin/login.php]   Help us to support more of our pharmacy family Pharmacist Support relies on generous donations to provide our charitable services and support. If you enjoyed our podcast episode today, please consider making a donation so we can continue creating more content to support mental health and wellbeing in pharmacy. Thank you: https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/donate/ [https://pharmacistsupport.org/support-our-work/donate/] Disclaimer  The content of this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pharmacist Support.