Seeking Those In Need

Laura Chapman, Chief Executive of the Freemasons’ Grand Charity, Explains the Need for Freemasonry Cares

"The masonic charities are here to serve Freemasons. That’s why we exist. There are people out there who need our help and we are confident that we have the financial resources to meet that need but we must reach those masons and their dependants. It is this aspiration which lies behind our new initiative, Freemasonry Cares."
     Laura Chapman has been Chief Executive of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity for eight years and knows well the frustration common to all the masonic charities: they knew that there were many Freemasons who needed support but they just didn’t come forward and make their requirements known.
     All the four central masonic charities – The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Masonic Samaritan Fund – have attempted to counter this lack of knowledge about the range of help available. They have mounted promotional campaigns designed to reach out to those in need; literature was regularly sent to lodge secretaries to be passed on to Brethren. Speakers visited lodge meetings to explain about the charities. Presentations were mounted at masonic functions. Nevertheless, a persistent feeling remained that there was a widespread ignorance amongst masons of what the central masonic charities actually did. Laura stated firmly, ‘We have tried very hard using conventional channels to raise awareness of what is available; we haven’t just been sitting on our hands. We are not looking for an easy life, we would like to receive many more applications for relief.’
     But the conventional channels were not enough. Raymond Lye, then President of the Grand Charity, concerned about the lack of awareness about the charities, and ignorance about the uses made of every Freemasons’ annual contribution to The Freemasons’ Grand Charity or Festival donations to the four central Masonic charities, decided to try a new approach. In 2002 he discussed the situation with Lord Northampton, then Pro Grand Master and Iain Ross Bryce, then Deputy Grand Master, and obtained permission for the Grand Charity to take presentations to each of the Provinces, not in order to raise money, but to raise awareness of the charitable support that was available to all members of the Craft. The speakers explained the reason behind the annual contribution and hoped to communicate to all Freemasons a pride at the considerable achievements of the four charities.
     This followed a further idea introduced a few years earlier: the General Meeting of the Grand Charity had always been held in London but Raymond Lye, feeling that this tradition was missing an opportunity to increase awareness of the charities, suggested an alternative location be found.
     Trevor Broadley, then Provincial Grand Master for Yorkshire, West Riding, agreed to host the meeting in Harrogate in 1999 with Lord Farnham presiding.
     To encourage a wide attendance the meeting was held on a Saturday and was open to all Freemasons and their wives.
     To add to the occasion speakers were brought in from those charities which had received support allowing them to explain the importance of the donations they had received from Freemasons.
     The publication of MQ magazine and the subsequent merger with Freemasonry Today, provided a better line of communication; it allowed the charities for the first time to put their information directly into the hands of each Freemason. But there were further efficiencies to come.

A New Approach

In 2003 a formal liason group was established amongst the charities: the Presidents and Chief Executives of the four charities arranged to meet on a quarterly basis to discuss common issues and seek ways of working together. Some two years later this group began planning the move of all the central charities into Freemasons’ Hall, a move which has now been successfully completed.
     The new charity offices were formally opened by the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, in July 2008. The buildings they vacated will be refurbished and rented in order to provide income for the future.
     Being so close together has had a positive influence on all the charities. Laura noted that, as a result, ‘We now think in terms of central masonic charities,’ adding, ‘the great benefit of this co-location is that we have been able to conduct joint initiatives and increase our efficiency to the benefit of the Craft. One of these initiatives which emerged is Freemasonry Cares.’

Freemasonry Cares

This is a gateway to the financial, healthcare and family support available to all Freemasons and their dependants.
     ‘We are simplifying the message that we are delivering to the Craft,’ explained Laura, ‘charitable help is available. Ring one number or send one letter or one email. And,’ she added, ‘Our central Freephone number is answered by a person, not a computer.’
     Freemasonry Cares will be starting with the core group, those Freemasons who attend lodge or, having fallen away, nevertheless maintain an association with it. Then the charities are trying to reach those Freemasons who have become more distanced from the lodge network, those who have moved away or have resigned and, of course, widows, partners, children and other dependants of Freemasons. All are eligible for charitable support in times of need.
     One of the main reasons that the charities have trouble reaching those distant from the lodge network is that Provinces face challenges in maintaining contact with former members and their dependants. As part of the Freemasonry Cares programme, the charities hope to work with the Provinces to rectify this unsatisfactory situation. Suggestions put forward include having an exit-interview data base, liasing with the new Province to which a member has moved, and developing new ways of keeping in touch with former Freemasons and widows. ‘Of course’, explained Laura, ‘the Almoner is the key link in this whole process: we need Almoners who care. It is important that we support and work together with them. We have three working groups of Provincial Grand Almoners who are developing firstly, a hand-book for Lodge Almoners, secondly, designing a training scheme and thirdly, producing guidance for Provinces in the task of keeping in touch with members.’

Can the Charities afford to help?

There was one final but important question which needed to be asked: ‘Can the charities afford what will probably mean an increase in applications for aid?’
     ‘Definitely,’ insisted Laura. ‘All the charities take very seriously their responsibilities to members of the Craft who need help; they have to maintain the charities in such a way to allow this. They recognise the responsibility to manage the investments in order to meet the present and future needs of Freemasons.’
     ‘In the last few years we have had regular reviews to ensure that resources are always available to meet commitments. We are all working more closely together, pooling expertise, allowing for a more coordinated approach to investment.’
     It seems clear that the charities’ offices at Freemasons’ Hall are hosting a powerhouse of ideas and initiatives. As Laura explained with enthusiasm, Freemasonry Cares is an exciting venture which should focus all the support available from the four central charities for the benefit of Freemasons and their families both now and far into the future.
     The charities take their responsibility to each and every Freemason very seriously and urge those in need to step forward.


You can contact Freemasonry Cares to discuss how they can help:

• By Freephone: 0800 035 6090
• By email: help@freemasonrycares.org
• Via the web: www.freemasonrycares.org
• By mail: Freemasonry Cares, 60 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ