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TRANSCRIPT
MCF Standard Presentation – 30 mins
How to use this script
This script will enable you to deliver an accurate and up-to-date presentation about the work of the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
The presentation is suitable for a range of events including Lodge meetings, white table events and training seminars.
Delivering this presentation should take approximately 25-30 minutes.
Please feel free to make small adjustments to the text to reflect your speaking style whilst retaining the core content.
If you have any questions, please contact the Communications Department on 020 3146 3333 or email: [email protected]
Thank you for delivering this presentation on behalf of the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
SLIDE 1: Introduction
Good morning / afternoon / evening. My name is XXXXX XXXXX and I
am delighted to have this opportunity to talk to you about the exciting
changes that have happened within Masonic charity.
The launch of the Masonic Charitable Foundation marks a new and
exciting era in the long and proud history of Masonic charity.
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SLIDE 2: The separate charities
The Foundation brings together the life-changing work of four central
Masonic Charities which operated separately and provided specific types
of support for Freemasons, their families and the wider community from
the 18th century. These predecessor charities are: The Freemasons’
Grand Charity, the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, the Royal
Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Masonic Samaritan Fund.
While the four separate charities carried out excellent work, the way they
worked was confusing to the applicant. Families faced with financial,
health, educational and care needs could easily be faced with having to
apply for support from all four charities – a potentially daunting and
confusing prospect.
Ultimately the intention is to make it easier for beneficiaries to access the
support they need.
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SLIDE 3: Logo
Just as the logo of the Foundation depicts a charitable heart at the
centre of the new UGLE logo, it is intended that the Foundation will
become firmly established at the heart of Freemasonry.
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SLIDE 4: What the Foundation provides
So, what does the Foundation provide?
Whether advice or financial grants, the Masonic Charitable Foundation is
determined to make support easier to access. Bringing the four charities
together has improved the service offered to Freemasons and their
families by providing a single point of contact and a consistent
application process. As a result it is fully expected that the level of
demand for support will increase.
At the same time, steps are being taken to improve the support provided
to the Masonic community including guidance for Almoners, Charity
Stewards and Festival fundraisers.
Bringing the charities together has created a sizeable organisation within
the UK charity sector – one which should be widely recognised and
which should have a significant voice. There are very few charities that
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operate across such a broad spectrum of support. Many tend to focus
on one area whereas the Foundation provides whole life support to the
Masonic community, from cradle to grave.
I hope you will agree that all in all this is a very exciting time for Masonic
charity and for Freemasonry in general.
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SLIDE 5: Support for Freemasons and their Families
In the last year, over £15 million of support has been provided to over
5,000 Freemasons and family members. This is a significant number of
people, but we know we can still do more. Can anyone here - hand on
heart - say that no one has missed out on support because they were
unaware of the help available? As I have said, the Foundation has been
designed to be simpler and more efficient to make it easier for
Freemasons and their families to access support. But it is down to all of
us to work harder to get the message out about the support that is
available.
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SLIDE 6: Mission Statement
The Foundation’s mission is: “To build better lives by enabling
opportunity, advancing healthcare and education, and promoting
independence for Freemasons, their families and the wider community.”
It pursues its mission in two ways. The first way is the provision of a
wide range of financial grants and practical support for Freemasons and
their families who have a financial, health or family-related need.
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SLIDE 7: Every situation is unique
The Freemasons and families supported by the Foundation have usually
experienced a life-changing event that has adversely impacted their
household income and quality of life. For example redundancy, a
medical diagnosis, family breakdown, a change in care needs or the
death of a spouse. Every person’s situation is unique and all
applications are considered.
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SLIDE 8: Criteria
So, what are the criteria?
To be eligible for a grant, applicants must demonstrate their need for
support along with a strong family connection to a Freemason under the
United Grand Lodge of England. The Freemason does not necessarily
need to be a subscribing member, but he must have joined before the
need for support arose. Eligible family members include the married or
life partners of Freemasons, as well as their children, stepchildren and
grandchildren who are under the age of 25 and in full-time education.
Support can also be provided after the Freemason has passed away.
The primary requirement is that the person for whom help is required
must be financially or physically dependent on a Freemason or his
estate.
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SLIDE 9: Financial Support
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A range of financial support is available.
Daily living grants help those unable to afford essential everyday costs,
for example household bills, food or expenditure related to raising a
child. Grants are provided to top up other sources of income so that
households can afford their essential outgoings. In addition, a
reasonable allowance is added for leisure activities to ensure quality of
life and happiness while also enabled active participation in society.
Following a sudden personal crisis such as an accident or redundancy,
support can be provided to reduce the immediate hardship that follows.
Additionally, grants can be made to cover unexpected costs such as
funeral bills and minor home repairs.
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SLIDE 10: Health
Other specific grants are related to a range of health and care needs.
Where a Freemason or family member with a diagnosed medical or
dental need faces a lengthy wait through the NHS and cannot easily
afford the cost of going private, a grant can be provided to cover some or
all of the cost.
With minor exceptions, any treatment or surgery that is licensed by the
NHS will be considered where there is a diagnosed medical or dental
need.
And to help those with mobility issues to retain their independence,
grants are available for mobility aids such as scooters and powered
wheelchairs, and home adaptations including stairlifts, entry ramps and
car hoists.
Alongside grants for physical needs, the Foundation also provides
access to a Counselling Careline to support the emotional well-being of
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Freemasons and their families. The Careline can support those who are
experiencing depression or anxiety, as well as those who may be simply
going through a difficult time in their life due to workplace pressures,
bereavement, family breakdown, financial hardship or illness. The
Careline is a confidential, free helpline operated by an independent firm
guidance.
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SLIDE 11: Family – Children and young people
Children are often the innocent victims of family or other events. The
added pressure on the family can put their quality of life and happiness
at risk, as well as their ability to access opportunities and meet their full
potential.
For families who are receiving daily living grants, the Foundation can
also provide grants to make sure children in full-time education can
continue their education without disruption and meet their full potential
despite difficulties they may be experiencing at home. The full or partial
cost of items such as computers, printers and school uniforms can also
be covered, as well as specialist tuition and extra-curricular activities so
that children have access to the same resources as their peers. If
necessary, support for a child’s education can be provided from nursery
all the way through to university when scholarships and accommodation
grants can be awarded. The Foundation can also enable young people
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to undertake once in a lifetime educational travel or volunteering, and
can support exceptional talent in sport, music or the performing arts.
In very exceptional circumstances, the Foundation will pay private school
fees, but this will only ever be when something significant has happened
to the family and it is important to ensure the child can complete their
education without any further disruption.
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SLIDE 12: Family – Care
The Foundation can also support a wide range of care needs. In cases
where a full-time carer is in need of a break from their duties for their
own physical and mental wellbeing, respite care grants can help meet
the cost of short-term residential breaks, domiciliary care in an
individual’s own home or visits to day centres. Respite is vital to provide
support and relief for those caring for family members. For older
members of the Masonic community, there are also a limited number of
short sea-side breaks to give individuals currently supported by the
charity, or who are nominated by their Province, some time away from
their usual routine.
For those with more permanent care needs, the Foundation provides
Masonic care homes and other services at 17 locations across England
and Wales that offer residential and nursing care. All provide specialist
support for those living with dementia. The Homes care for older
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Freemasons and their families with over 1,000 people currently
supported. Those members of the Masonic community who choose to
live in one of the Homes have the security of knowing that they have a
home for life, even if their financial circumstances change for the worse.
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SLIDE 13: AST and Summary of support
So, the Foundation provides a wide range of grants for Freemasons and
their families experiencing a financial, health or family need. But the
support provided goes far beyond financial grants. Members of the
Masonic family at any age can also draw on the expertise of the Advice
& Support Team who offer confidential, impartial and practical guidance
about the help available and the application process. The Team operate
in the community and work closely with Provinces and Lodge Almoners
and treat every case with sympathy, tact and sensitivity. They can visit
people at home, speak on the telephone and send information by email
or post. They can also help with applications for state and local authority
benefits, provide advice about care and can recommend other
organisations that may be able to provide further assistance.
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SLIDE 14: The Application Process
Application Process
The application process is simple and easy to follow. Any Freemason or
family member in need may either contact their Lodge Almoner or get in
touch with the Foundation directly. After the initial contact, the
Foundation’s response will be to arrange a visit from a member of the
Advice & Support Team or a local Freemason who will help to complete
an application form. An outcome will be decided within a matter of weeks
and communicated to the applicant.
The first part of my talk today was to explain how the Masonic Charitable
Foundation pursues its mission by supporting Freemasons and their
families. I have covered a lot in a short time, but I hope it is clear that
there is a wide range of financial support and practical advice available
and if you or someone you know needs help, I urge you - please contact
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your Lodge Almoner or the charity directly, or visit the charity’s website
(mcf.org.uk) for more information.
I must stress again how important it is that you help the Foundation to
get the message out to the widest possible audience. We are all
assistants to our Lodge Almoners, and you are the eyes and ears of
Masonic charity in this Province and by talking about the Foundation,
you can make a huge difference by encouraging those in need of
support to pick up the phone and get in touch.
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SLIDE 15: Community Support and Research
But let me now refer back to the charity’s mission.
You will recall that the second way that this is achieved is by looking
beyond Freemasonry, making significant financial grants to charitable
projects and services in the wider community which help people to live
happy, fulfilling lives and participate actively in society.
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SLIDE 16: Community and Research Grants awarded
In recent years, Freemasons have provided support amounting to over
£100 million to charities across England and Wales and overseas in
response to natural disasters. The Foundation continues this legacy by
awarding grants to other charities that provide support in several areas,
specifically:
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SLIDE 17: Community and Research Grant types
Financial hardship for those in poverty, debt or unemployment
Health and disability for people experiencing chronic or life-
limiting conditions and disabilities
Education and employability for disadvantaged children and
young people; and
Social exclusion and disadvantage for those facing barriers to
participating in society
Additionally, the Foundation provides funding to advance research into
medical conditions, diseases and disabilities.
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SLIDE 18: Other grants
Funding is also provided to hospices throughout England and Wales, air
ambulance and rescue services and worldwide disaster relief appeals.
Alongside the thousands of people helped by Charity Grants, the
Foundation has also positively impacted the lives of around 9,000 life-
limited, disabled children through support for Lifelites, a charity which
provides educational and fun technology packages for every baby and
children’s hospice in the British Isles. The packages include interactive
Magic Carpets, touchscreen computers and adapted iPads that allow
children in the hospices, and their families, to learn, play and
communicate.
Founded as a Masonic initiative, Lifelites has become a well-established
charity in its own right and raises funds from Freemasons and other
sources. The Masonic Charitable Foundation helps by providing office
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premises and other services meaning Lifelites can focus on delivering its
life-enhancing technology.
The charities supported by the Foundation make a significant and lasting
difference to people in need. The Charity Grants seek to benefit as
many people as possible and further those causes about which
Freemasons and their families are most concerned, because without the
generosity of the Masonic community, none of this would be possible.
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SLIDE 19: Festivals and Fundraising
The Provincial Festival system is at the heart of the Masonic Charitable
Foundation’s fundraising. Each year, four Provinces hold a Festival to
celebrate their achievement in raising funds for the charity’s work.
During the years leading up to the Festival, fundraising events and
activities take place that make a significant contribution to the charity’s
income.
There are many ways to fundraise, including sponsored challenges and
social events. It’s important to put the ‘fun’ into ‘fundraising’ – recent
events have included a record breaking drumroll, parachute jumps and
even sponsored weight loss! The Foundation has an excellent team who
can support fundraising endeavours so try to be creative and have fun
while raising money for a great cause.
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Fundraisers are encouraged to make use of the Relief Chest Scheme so
that they can claim back tax paid on eligible donations through Gift Aid.
Additionally, many Freemasons and their families choose to support the
Foundation even if their own Province is not holding a Festival Appeal.
Donations can be made online, via telephone, via text or simply by
sending a cheque.
Legacy gifts also make an important contribution to the funding of the
charity. Every gift, large or small, can help to make a difference to
Freemasons and their families across England and Wales.
As I have said, the Foundation relies exclusively on the generous
donations of Freemasons and their families and the charity is extremely
grateful to those who make their life-changing work possible.
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SLIDE 20: Conclusion
The Masonic Charitable Foundation marks a new era in the long and
proud history of Masonic charity that builds the legacy of the four
predecessor charities over recent years and allows us to go further.:
I hope you agree that the Masonic Charitable Foundation will serve the
needs of the Masonic family well and I would like to finish today by
reminding you all of why the Foundation exists, by reading a letter from
Peter, a Freemason who knows all too well about our work.
“To all at the Foundation,
I would like to thank you for all that you have done for me and my
family. Everything happened at once. My wife was diagnosed
with ovarian cancer and she became so ill she was unable to work.
Soon after, I was made redundant on health grounds due to a
degenerative eye condition.
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We had no jobs, no money coming in at all and my wife was
undergoing chemotherapy. As you can imagine, it was a very
tough, very frightening time for us all and it truly felt like there was
no light at the end of the tunnel. And to add to our worries, our
daughter Katie was starting university and we were anxious that
we wouldn’t be able to support her.
The grants that the Foundation have provided for us have taken
away the financial pressure we were facing so that we can
concentrate on my wife’s fight against cancer. She is still
undergoing treatment but it makes a huge difference to not have to
worry about how we’re going to pay the bills. As for Katie, the
annual scholarship and laptop you have provided for her have
meant that she has been able to focus on her studies at university
and I am proud to tell you she is doing really well.
Thanks to the Masonic Charitable Foundation, we now feel like we
have a future to look forward to. The service has been wonderful
and very professional, and the staff have made sure we are looked
after. I’ve been a Mason for over 20 years and I would definitely
recommend Brethren who are in need of support to apply.
Yours sincerely and fraternally,
Peter
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With your continuing support, the Masonic Charitable Foundation can
build on the legacy established by the separate charities and transform
the lives of even more people like Peter and his family. Thank you again
for inviting me to speak to you all.
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SLIDE 21: Closing slide
END
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