The National Lottery Community Fund has given Antibiotic Research UK a fantastic ‘Awards For All’ grant of £5,006 for our work in Wales. This generous grant will help us to reach people affected by antibiotic-resistant infections in the country. This could be through the information on our website or via our award-winning Patient Support Service. This grant completes our set of grants for each of the UK’s constituent nations (see our announcements on Scotland, England and Northern Ireland).
Why is this grant so important for Wales?
As the problem of antibiotic resistance continues to grow, we know that more people than ever will be reaching out to us for help. Public Health Wales report an increase in difficult-to-treat infections, failed therapy and complications due to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic use remains high in Wales, which can contribute to the problem. The greater the problem, the more people need our help. Our Patient Support Service provides people with help and reassurance that can otherwise be very hard to find.
What will the Wales grant fund?
Some of the specific activities that are supported by this grant include:
- Ongoing one-to-one support via telephone/email
- Answering one-off questions from people concerned about COVID-19
- Creating an online support group
- Producing and promoting digital information
- Providing resources to GPs and pharmacies
Hollie, who lives in Wales and has an antibiotic-resistant infection, told us: “‘I have worked through a long list of antibiotics. They initially keep the infection at bay and then reappear within a few weeks. The infections trigger seizures so it’s vital I have antibiotics that work. It has been very challenging and I would like to be able to speak to others who are going through similar experiences.”
Thank you
As charity, we rely on donations from the general public and from grant-making organisations. We want to thank everyone that has played the National Lottery; this grant will truly make a difference to the lives of people facing a challenging time.
If you or a loved one are affected by an antibiotic-resistant infection, we are here for you. Contact our Patient Support Service today for a confidential chat with someone who understands.