Catalent, a leading development and manufacturing partner to the biopharmaceutical industry with multiple facilities in the U.K., including Swindon, has become the main sponsor of the STFC Community Foundation’s “Tackling Loneliness Together” programme.
The initiative was launched in Swindon last Summer by the Foundation, along with 72 other clubs in the English Football League, with the aim of - as the name suggests - ‘Tackling Loneliness’. Loneliness is defined as a negative feeling people experience when the relationships they have do not match up to those they would like to have, and often begins when people lose significant relationships or the opportunities to engage in ways they find meaningful.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of older people have been unable to connect with friends and family in the same way, and the programme was implemented to combat these feelings of loneliness and improve the quality of life of older people within Swindon and the local area.
During the initial phase of the “Tackling Loneliness Together” project, The STFC Community Foundation has been in contact with over 600 participants aged 60 and above, both over the phone and through socially distanced doorstep visits.
This partnership with Catalent will allow the Foundation to continue the project throughout 2021 and beyond, offering the opportunities of weekly meet-ups at Foundation Park, for the chance to meet socially, talk about football, take part in activities, hear presentations and Q+A sessions from special guests, as well as take part in light exercise.
This weekly session will allow the participants to make new friendships, share experiences and feel part of a new special group, with the aim of improving the participants’ mental and physical health.
Jon Holloway, Head of Foundation, said of the partnership:
“We’re incredibly grateful to Catalent for reaching out to the Foundation with this offer of partnership. The “Tackling Loneliness Together” project has been of utmost importance to the Foundation throughout the pandemic, supporting the older generations in Swindon and Wiltshire, and it’s fitting that we are able to continue this programme thanks to Catalent, who are already doing a great service to these people in their efforts producing the COVID-19 vaccines.
“We’re looking forward to being able to welcome our first “Tackling Loneliness Together” participants to Foundation Park as soon as restrictions allow.”
“Catalent is proud to be partnering with the STFC Community Foundation on such a hugely important and impactful initiative. We understand the importance of good mental health and well-being, particularly during difficult times,” commented James Hamilton, HR Director, Catalent Swindon. “The Foundation does fantastic and valuable work, and we are honoured to be able to support and partner where possible”.
One of over 45 sites in Catalent’s network, the company’s 250,000 square foot facility in Swindon is home to the company’s proprietary Zydis® orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) technology. The facility produces over one billion ODTs annually and employs more than 600 people.
Catalent is helping to produce several of the leading vaccine programmes and treatments for COVID-19. For more information, visit www.catalent.com/covid-19.
