Providing care in the community is at the heart of the partnership between Boots and Macmillan, which was first launched nine years ago.

Working to improve care for those affected by cancer, together we have been making services offering cancer information and support available from an accessible and trusted high street location.

With over 11% of the votes, the partnership was named the second most admired in a poll of over 100 companies and NGOs according to a new report released today by C&E Advisory, a leading business and society consultancy.

Respondents reported that the partnership is admired in the sector for its mutual benefits, longevity and its skills-based use of colleague volunteering. Respondents said: “It’s a great way to make information more accessible to the public and aligns well with Boots UK’s core business.”

Una Kent, Director of CSR and Communications at Boots, said: ““For over nine years, Boots UK and Macmillan have worked together to make vital support and information accessible in the heart of the communities we serve.  Our incredible colleague experts will always be there to speak to customers about anything from advice on medicines, how to access specialist cancer services or financial support, through to guidance on skin care, or how to use make up to look and feel a little piece of normality following diagnosis or treatment. Above all it’s the care and passion from our colleagues that make this a very unique and special relationship.”

Since 2009, more than 2,200  pharmacists have volunteered to receive specific training developed by Boots and Macmillan. These Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists are able to offer their patients additional information and guidance on medicines and the wider issues when affected by cancer, for example guiding them to more specialist sources of information and support, both locally and nationally depending on their needs.

The partnership has also introduced over 1,000 Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors. These No7 Advisors have volunteered to undergo bespoke training developed by Boots and Macmillan, to offer people free face-to-face support with managing the visible side effects of cancer treatment. This includes advice on a range to areas, from helping people cope with dry or sensitive skin, brittle nails, defining sparse eyebrows and eyelashes, and minimising dark circles. They can also show you how to use products to help disguise changes or enhance nay facial features to help you look and feel good.

Macmillan Cancer Support’s Chief Executive Lynda Thomas said: “It’s wonderful that our partnership with Boots continues to be recognised for the impact it has. From Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists to Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors, this partnership enables Macmillan to help the growing number of people living with cancer across the UK in ways we couldn’t do on our own. We would also like to thank Boots’ inspiring staff and customers for their continued support and fundraising efforts.”

Boots UK colleagues and customers have also raised over £16 million to support Macmillan’s life-changing services.

Each year, the C&E Corporate-NGO Partnerships Barometer report explores the motivations behind corporate–NGO partnerships, changing practices in the partnering landscape, as well as barriers to these relationships and the future prospects for the partnering agenda. Now in its ninth year, the Barometer draws on a poll of leading companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as qualitative research with practitioners.