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European programmes

GlaxoSmithKline's European community programmes focus on children's health. They are selected using the criteria of need, sustainability, leverage, measurable outcomes, partnership and innovation, all of which ensure they have the best chance of creating maximum benefit. Since the emphasis is placed on process-driven management, these criteria also ensure that successful programmes can, if appropriate, be reproduced in other, similar communities.

Barretstown Gang Camp
In 1994, GSK was a founder partner of The Barretstown Gang Camp in County Kildare, Ireland, the first programme of its kind in Europe to provide therapeutic recreation. Modelled on the Paul Newman Hole in the wall Gang Camp in the US, Barretstown offers seriously ill children a fun environment and the chance to develop their self-confidence. Over 1,000 children attend the camp each year.

GSK’s funding has specifically supported the European Liaison Network that enables children to go to Barretstown through referral by their specialist doctor. GSK also supports the Camp with other resources, including employee volunteers: over 40 people from GSK took part in 2004.

GSK's partnership with Barretstown was a Big Tick winner in the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence 2004.

Business in the Community (BITC) gives The Big Tick to companies entering the awards that are able to demonstrate a high standard of excellence in the way they organise and integrate their responsible business practices, and can show a positive impact both on society and on the business.

Social exclusion of young people affected by HIV/AIDS
Led by Bucharest-based NGO, the Romanian Angel Appeal, this programme is changing the way young people living with HIV/AIDS are perceived in their communities, and providing the services they need to live healthy, positive lives. This two-year project is working with young people in five countries: Italy, Portugal, Romania, Russia and Spain. The aim is to alleviate HIV associated stigma and discrimination among young people living with HIV/AIDS by educating healthcare providers and involving young people in advocacy.

Healthprom - Safe childbirth in Azerbaijan
Over 2,500 refugees will benefit from this three-year initiative, which is part of a national reproductive health strategy developed with the Azerbaijan Health Ministry. Key healthcare providers, including midwives and obstetricians, will be trained in the provision of essential services within the refugee community and local referral hospitals to improve conditions for prenatal, childbirth and neonatal care.

L’Envol - France
L’Envol is also modelled on the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp principles, but provides a more medically-oriented environment for children who are undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy. The camp serves mainly French children, but there is a funding mechanism that enables some southern European children to attend.

GSK in France has adopted L’Envol for its employee volunteering activities.

Zippy’s Friends
Zippy’s Friends is a unique, 24-week school-based programme aimed at improving the mental health of very young children so they cope better with problems such as family changes, bullying and bereavement. It takes the form of story-based lessons featuring a stick insect called Zippy.

The initiative was developed by Befrienders International (the international umbrella organisation for the Samaritan movement worldwide) in partnership with GSK. Following extensive pilots in Denmark and Lithuania, the programme has been expanded to UK, India and Canada.

Change in advance - Slovakia
This is a three-year community partnership programme to tackle the alarming rise of obesity and cholesterol levels in Slovakian teenagers through the promotion of exercise and healthy eating.

The programme, known as '4.85 Game Over', is aimed at 11,000 11 to 16-year-olds living in the eight largest post-communist housing estates, where recreational facilities were traditionally rare.

Around 50 street ball playgrounds are now being constructed throughout the estates to encourage more activity. And Game Over training materials are being developed for 190 teachers and volunteers, to help them promote healthy lifestyle messages to children living in these areas.

Game Over is being implemented by GSK in partnership with the Central European Foundation, the Ministry of Health and the Slovak Paediatric Society.

Healthcare in children’s shelters in Spain
This programme aims to improve the health of children who are abandoned or deprived of a family environment. For many of these children even mild diseases can become a serious problem. This programme is supporting the expansion of specialised healthcare for children’s illnesses not requiring hospitalisation, as well as the implementation of vaccination programmes.

Multi-coloured lives in Russia
This community-based programme aims to improve the quality of life of children with disabilities, through their integration into mainstream activities and the reduction of babies with disabilities being placed into institutions.

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