We often say at PHARMExcel that we are not your typical CRO and our approach when it comes to ‘giving back’ is another example of how we do things differently. Our purpose centres around the patients, whose lives can be changed by the clinical research and trials that we specialise in. Similarly, always considering the bigger picture, we believe that we have a responsibility to contribute to the communities that we operate in. For this reason, we place considerable effort into fund raising and community service for our chosen charities and our staff love to get involved too.
Members of the PHARMExcel team recently enjoyed a fantastic volunteering day, helping to raise awareness and funds for Isabel Hospice, which provides free palliative care to its patients and their families. The volunteers worked at their local Isabel Hospice charity shops in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, which sell quality donated items in support of the charity, to entice shoppers into the stores and sell raffle tickets to raise funds.
The PHARMExcel volunteers, inspired by The Apprentice and the opportunity to give back, had their own internal competition to see which shop could make the most money in store and raffle tickets sales. This created some very healthy competition and a fun atmosphere, which hopefully made a few more community members who were passing by, aware of their local Isabel Hospice charity shops. Both teams had some great initiatives to entice customers – they should actually enter The Apprentice! Well done Team PHARMExcel and congratulations to Shop 2 who won overall.
Isabel Hospice provides support and care to patients and families in eastern Hertfordshire who are affected by life-limiting illnesses through their Hospice at Home, In-Patient Unit, Community Team, Living Well with Isabel programme as well as their Family and Bereavement support service. The charity needs to raise £8 million annually to guarantee the future of their care. They help so many people in the community through the excellent work that they do and it was humbling to play a small part in this.
As mentioned, PHARMExcel is committed to making a positive impact in our society. Part of this commitment is a responsibility to support local communities and the charities like Isabel Hospice, which support those communities. This forms part of PHARMExcel’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitment as an organisation. Beyond this, fun opportunities to connect outside of the office and build team spirit, such as this, link closely to one of our core values: teamwork. For these reasons, this volunteer day was both special and significant.
Special thanks to the Isabel Hospice charity shop managers & volunteers who hosted the PHARMExcel team and showed them the ropes, also to Jac Squire Corporate Partnerships Manager, who helped organise the volunteer day and gave an inspiring presentation beforehand about the history of the hospice, their work and the support that they give to the local community. She shared stories of some of the families that Isabel Hospice has helped through the amazing care, facilities and support that they provide.
Learn more about the other fundraising activities that PHARMExcel is involved in here.
