Boots Ireland

Boots Ireland creating inclusive and safe spaces in store

From training staff to facilitate a dementia-inclusive experience, to creating a Safe Space for victims of domestic violence, Boots Ireland is making its stores havens for the community

Creating an inclusive environment in store and reaching out to the community is at the heart of Boots Ireland’s initiatives. As a partner of the Dementia: Understand Together campaign, Boots undertook a signifi cant step in supporting people living with dementia in communities across Ireland by providing training to all staff to promote a dementia-inclusive environment across all retail and pharmacy outlets.

The training module helps staff to identify people with dementia when they visit a store or pharmacy and the ways in which a staff member can facilitate a dementia-inclusive experience for the customer. With 11 people per day continuing to receive a diagnosis, community inclusivity is key to the well-being of those affected by Dementia.

SAFE SPACES In June 2020, Boots Ireland launched a ‘Safe Space’ initiative in partnership with Safe Ireland. At the time, according to An Garda Siochána, domestic violence reports increased by up to 30% in some areas during lockdown, as victims of domestic violence were trapped in isolation with their perpetrators. Boots Ireland recognised that its pharmacies hold a unique position within the community as a single point of contact for victims, staying open as an essential service, where they could safely provide support whilst following Government guidelines.

The Boots initiative allowed women who are experiencing domestic violence to go into any one of its pharmacies and access a ‘Safe Space’ in a pharmacy consultation room. In this confi dential space they can contact one of the 39 frontline specialist domestic abuse services across the country and access free, confi dential support and advice. BOOTS IRELAND’S ONGOING PARTNERSHIP Boots Ireland’s partnership with the Irish Cancer Society commenced in 2012, fundraising for the Irish Cancer Society Night Nursing service, who provide free end of life care allowing patients to pass at home surrounded by loved ones. To date Boots have funded over 6,300 nights of care, collected over €2million in fundraising, and extended their support for the partnership as the main sponsors of Daffodil Day since 2018.

Boots continue to use the expertise of their Boots Irish Cancer Society Information Pharmacists and their Boots Cancer Beauty Advisors in helping to support those affected by cancer. The Boots Cancer Beauty Advisor service ‘Feel Like You Again’ has also been made available online, allowing patients avail of video or phone consultation free of charge.