Health & Wellbeing

Ongoing Support, Local and National Impact

The final words I wrote in the Spring Edition of Leicester Square were, “not forgetting the personal heartache and tragedy which the has befallen many, and which will remain with many of us for many years ahead.”

These few words continue to resonate as the annual MCF case reviews of brethren and their families who have received support, continue to reveal the importance of ongoing assistance, due to the life changing effects of the pandemic. We have also seen a continuing need for support grants for many new non-covid related cases in the last six months similar in number and amount to the same period last year. There are also more positive cases, where the support of the MCF has enabled families to come through the impacts of the pandemic and rebuild their fragile family finances, who no long need the support of the MCF. As we close in on the end of 2021 and head into a new year, which brings the climax of the Leicestershire and Rutland 2022 Festival, we will be in a position to look back over the past five years and appreciate with grateful and caring hearts, that the donations we have made have supported Leicestershire and Rutland brethren and their distressed families with over 350 grants together totalling over £700,000. Please continue to support the festival and the local impact your donations make. Your donations also go to support the wider impact the MCF has, which is detailed in their 2020/2021 Impact Report. In brief the report says: “In 2020/2021 the MCF adapted and developed their range of support to help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society. £20.5m of charitable support, funded entirely through the donations Freemasons, their families and friends, was awarded by the MCF through 6,571 grants. Of these grants, 23% (totalling £4.7m) focused on supporting people across society through Covid19. Including MCF support work, Freemasonry contributed £51m to charitable causes in 2020/21.”

Almoner by office… Welfare Officer by role, actions and nature

The United Grand Lodge of England state in their Almoners Guide, “One of the core values of Freemasonry is to look after the welfare of Freemasons and their family members. As part of a support team, the Provincial and Lodge Almoners make a vital contribution to the realisation of this value. As the main focal point, often in times of stress and high emotion, these are challenging roles, but they are also highly rewarding ones which are truly valued by those who need support.” The significant support role of Lodge Almoners as individuals and as members of the lodge care teams has been brought into sharp focus through the pandemic and is set to continue as they play a significant role in the Members’ Pathway. Leicestershire and Rutland Lodge Almoners regularly access a one-toone Zoom session with the Provincial Grand Almoner every Tuesday morning for any advice, updates or non-urgent Almoners’ matters they wish to discuss. Please contact your Lodge Almoner if you need to discuss a welfare or wellbeing support matter and either drop in or arrange with him to drop in yourself. The Centre Almoner Structure in the Province has been expanded to include a Centre Almoner to support the freemasons and freemasons widows’ community at the RMBI’s Devonshire Court Care Home in Oadby.

David Highton,

Provincial Grand Almoner

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