3 minute read
Health & Wellbeing
Scrip, Purse and Caring Heart
When thinking what to contribute to this edition of Leicester Square, my mind went back to the Spring 2019 edition which featured an article on my role as Provincial Grand Almoner.
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What I, and none of us knew at that time, was how our lives would be so significantly impacted by a global pandemic. Indeed, two years on from that feature article, I can reflect on how fulfilling the role of Provincial Grand Almoner is, not despite of, but because of the pandemic. Yes, it comes with some situations which really tug at the heart strings. Conversely, like all pastoral and welfare roles, seeing brethren and dependents benefit from support is a welcome compensation. Also, with the role of Association Secretary of the LRMCA, we have further dealings with other tragic and distressing situations. It was in November 2018 that the then Provincial Grand Master, David Hagger, appointed me as Provincial Grand Almoner (PGA). In the Spring 2019 edition of Leicester Square, I shared a flavour of the development and activities of the role. From then on through 2019 into early 2020, a pattern of normality emerged, including reappointment as PGA by the current Provincial Grand Master Peter Kinder.
Regular Tuesday and Thursday morning visits to the charity office at Freemasons Hall, Leicester, supporting and advising our lodge almoners, our local team of MCF visiting volunteers, liaising with the MCF’s Enquiries and Grants team, dealing with our petitioners’ applications and reviews, attending the MCF regional group meetings and LRCMA Committee meetings, and also arranging almoners update meetings are just a sample of my activities. From the very announcement of the lockdown restrictions, it was clear individual and family separation, isolation and potential loneliness would bring into sharp focus the need to establish on-going communications. Lodge Almoners and other brethren were mobilised through emails and phone-calls. The establishment of the Communications Team, which I was asked to join, supplemented, and enhanced our ability to communicate with those in need of support. One of the highlights for me has been the fantastic support provided by the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) for our brethren, dependants and widows, who found themselves in distressed circumstances, either as a direct or indirect result of the impact of Covid19. Despite moving to home working in March 2020 (which is still the case), the MCF Enquires and Grants team, and Advice and Support teams have been doing a superb job. It is well reported that we have received grants exceeding £200,000 since April 2020, double that of previous years. But it’s not the amount, it is also the diversity, impact and often complexity of support provided. This has also significantly broadened my knowledge as your PGA, as well as the almoners involved.
Whilst forty-seven beneficiaries have been provided with support, including financial assistance due to redundancy, IT support for children home schooling, and an interest free property improvement loan from the Victor Donaldson Fund; even more significant has been the referrals to the counselling care line. These support teams have enabled personal visits and carried out annual review assessments by telephone. The MCF support and updating of PGA’s has not suffered either, in fact without the introduction of video conferencing, six monthly update meetings would have carried on, instead of the now monthly update zoom meetings. These calls provide grant policy updates, and other useful information, which I am able to pass on through the Almoner’s Surgeries. This has been a significant feature of
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