VBF Council Meeting a success
The Veterinary Benevolent Fund have held their biannual meeting and have announced that charitable expenditure during the period July 2011 to January 2012 increased by almost 25% to £109,402. The main areas of increased expenditure were in regular monthly grants and special gifts, the development of the Vetlife website and its launch at the London Vet Show.
The areas of increased expenditure indicate a shift in emphasis in the VBF's activities. There appears to be a move away from the traditional image of the VBF of relatively small monthly grants given to fairly elderly beneficiaries, to situations in which younger members of the profession have serious health and/or large financial problems. These cases often require urgent support and considerable financial input.
The health problems seen by the Fund appear increasingly to be associated with mental health and, although most will recover given the right support, some beneficiaries may be unable to work full time again. Council noted that early intervention by friends and colleagues might often prevent such problems becoming acute and improve the chances of a more successful outcome.
The implications of younger beneficiaries who will require support for longer periods emphasised the importance of growing the Fund to provide the required increase in investment income for the decades ahead.
Contact for Help
Veterinary Benevolent Fund
T: 020 7908 6385
E: info@vetlife.org.uk
Veterinary Surgeons’ Health Support Programme
T: 07946 634220
E: VSHSP@vetlife.org.uk
Vet Helpline
T: 07659 811118
See www.vetlife.org.uk for more information.
Donations can be made to VBF on-line at www.justgiving.com/VBF
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
