Help a friend, feel the reward: International Day of Friendship

Back in 2011, the United Nations established the 30th of July, as the International Day of Friendship. 14 years on, its awareness message still stands strong: friendship brings solidarity in times of uncertainty. 

Friends are people that you can rely on to stand by you in difficult times, to put your best interests first, and to suggest or support things that they think will be good for you. And when it comes to our health, this trust in friendship can influence more than we might realise. 

Friendship should be non-judgemental, resilient, honest, and meaningful. Naturally, these qualities translate into trust - especially when it comes to seeking advice and recommending solutions to particular problems.

When we’re in trouble, or in pain, or struggling, who do we turn to?

The answer is often our friends, our family, and our loved ones. 

Trust and healthcare: Who do we really listen to?

While clinical research determines fact, it doesn’t relate directly to us - at least, not in the same way as personal recommendations do. Therefore, it's not completely unsurprising that one study conducted in 2017, found more people trust the healthcare experiences shared by their friends and family, than the findings of medical research (65% vs 37% respectively). 

Perhaps this is because our friends or family know us deeply. They know our history and previous experiences, they know us as an individual, and therefore, they are more likely to suggest something that will benefit us as an individual, an individual who has a unique life, a unique perspective, and, most importantly, unique challenges. 

Research, on the other hand, although incredibly valuable and essential - it doesn’t take these personalised factors into account. It doesn’t know us, or our unique circumstances - and the same can be said for reviews from strangers, or advertising efforts.

The evolution of word of mouth: Refer a friend schemes. 

Even just a few decades ago, word of mouth significantly contributed to the popularity of businesses or services, and in the digital age, refer a friend schemes have evolved to operate in the same way.

While there’s usually an incentive attached to referral schemes, people don’t tend to take part in them ‘willy-nilly’. People take part to benefit the individual they’re referring, and in return, they receive a reward themselves. 

It’s just like giving a gift: the act isn’t ever completely selfless. When the perfect present is given, the recipient is overjoyed with the thought and care that went into it, and in return you are rewarded with that tingly feeling that you’ve made someone else's day, week, or month a little bit brighter. 

The recipient feels seen, cared for, and supported, and as we all know, good deeds evoke good feelings, and a ‘helpers-high’ is induced thanks to a rush of serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine. This naturally encourages us to do it again, and continue the good feeling streak. 

So, this year for International Day of Friendship, why not give the gift of Releaf?

Why Releaf’s Refer-a-Friend scheme means more than just a discount

At its heart, Releaf’s Refer-a-Friend initiative isn’t just about earning rewards, or saving money. It’s about sharing something that’s made a real difference to your life, with someone you care about. 

We know all too well how isolating chronic health conditions can be, from symptoms that get in the way of day-to-day life, to gruelling side effects of traditional treatment options, and how this can become cyclical, leaving many to feel as if there's no way out. 

But a trusted recommendation can break that cycle. 

Releaf’s Refer-a-Friend scheme is more than just passing along a link or a code: it's passing on what could be a lifeline. It’s offering a loved one a chance to take control of their health, explore alternative options, and feel supported on a journey they may not have discovered on their own. 

Our numbers show the desire to help ease someone else’s burden is felt by many. 

For example:

• Every month, approximately 180 people are introduced to Releaf through a personal recommendation.

• In just the last six months, 5% of our patient community have taken part in our referral programme.

• 3% of active Releaf patients came to us because someone in their life thought they deserved better care and, therefore, took part in our Refer-a-Friend initiative. 

How to refer a friend, and, why you’ll be glad you did

Releaf’s Refer-a-Friend scheme allows you to recommend Releaf to someone you care about, and make things easier by offering them their initial consultation for only £49. 

While your friend or loved one can access their first Releaf appointment for more than 50% off, you in turn can receive a £50 Amazon gift card. This gift card is issued three months after your referral receives their first batch of Releaf prescribed medication, and there is no limit to how many people you can refer to Releaf. 

How to use Releaf’s Refer-a-Friend:

1. Log into your Releaf account, and go to the Refer-a-Friend tab.
2. Copy your unique link and send this to your friend or family member.
3. Your friend or family member can use this link to create their Releaf account, and complete the eligibility check.
4. After triage, if the person you’ve recommended to Releaf appears to be suitable for cannabis-based medicines, they will be invited to book in for their initial consultation.
5. The 50% discount on initial consultations will be issued automatically at checkout, providing they used the link you shared to sign up.
6. Once the person you’ve referred orders their medication through Releaf, your £50 Amazon voucher will be emailed to you within three months of the purchasing date. 

To find out more about Releaf’s Refer-a-Friend scheme, visit our dedicated ‘how to’ blog, head over to our FAQs, or reach out to our patient support team directly. 

Good health is better when it’s shared

If you know someone who has found relief with medical cannabis, cannabis oil, or THC vapes prescribed through Releaf, maybe it's time to find out what it could mean for you. Discover a supportive approach to managing your symptoms built on trust, connection, and high-quality care by asking them to share their link as a celebratory International Day of Friendship gift. 

Don’t know any Releaf patients? Don’t worry -you can assess your eligibility and self-refer using our quick and simple sign-up flow in a matter of minutes. Why not start your journey today, and in time, help others do the same?

Releaf: Let’s rethink healthcare.