The National Lottery Community Fund has given Antibiotic Research UK a fantastic ‘Awards For All’ grant of £2,982 for our work in Northern Ireland. 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 is hot on the heels of two previous grants for our work, one in Scotland and one in England.
Why is this grant so important?
As the problem of antibiotic resistance continues to grow, more people than ever will reach out to us for help. That includes people like Lucy, from Belfast, who said:
“I have suffered from repeated infections since surgery eight years ago. It proves a constant challenge and I have had to go back to the GPs countless times. Often, I feel they don’t believe me or they just tell me to get on with it. Talking to Arlene (Patient Support) at Antibiotic Research UK has given me the confidence to understand my condition and make sure I am taken seriously by medical professionals. The service has provided great support in uncertain times.”
What will the 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 concern about COVID-19
- Creating an online support group
- Producing and promoting digital information
- Providing resources to GPs and pharmacies
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have had more than 3,600 people from Northern Ireland visit our website support pages. This is an 185% increase from 2019. Many people living with antibiotic-resistant infections have been shielding throughout the pandemic.
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 want to help us provide this valuable service to more people than ever, please make a donation today.
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.