Freemasonry Cares is a gateway to financial, healthcare and family support available from the central Masonic Charities to Freemasons, their families and other dependants. We provide information on the range of support provided by the central Masonic Charities and their eligibility rules. We can also put you in contact with the central Masonic Charity most appropriate to your need.
Freemasonry Cares can be contacted by anyone who has a Masonic connection and a real financial, healthcare or family-related need.
The opening hours of Freemasonry Cares are 9 to 5, Monday to Thursday and 9 to 4 on a Friday. We are closed at weekends and on public holidays. Outside of these times you can leave a message on our answerphone, email us or visit our website for more information.
Some mobile phone operators will charge for calls made to an 0800 number. If you are concerned about this and prefer to contact Freemasonry Cares using a standard phone number you can call using 020 7395 9294.
For more information about Freemasonry Cares you can visit the website freemasonrycares.org or call 0800 035 60 90 (freephone) and request a copy of the Freemasonry Cares leaflet.
People with a Masonic connection include:
A dependant is someone whom the Freemason has the responsibility for looking after. In most cases this will mean that the Freemason supports the person financially, but it may also mean that they are the primary carer for the individual or have another important role in their life. Where the Freemason is deceased, the person may have been supported by the Freemason whilst they were alive or the person may be reliant on the Freemason's estate.
Freemasonry Cares offers guidance on the help available from the central Masonic Charities to individuals. These Charities were established to support Freemasons, their families and other dependants and are primarily funded by donations from Freemasons. Under the guidelines set down by the Charities, to qualify for support an individual will usually require a Masonic connection. In choosing to support a specific group of individuals the Charities are similar to the many occupational and organisational benevolent funds, which provide services based on a common interest. For example, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airforce and Families Association is dedicated to supporting those with a connection to the military. In the case of Freemasonry Cares, the common interest is Freemasonry.
Only members of Lodges under the United Grand Lodge of England are eligible for support. If you are a Freemason or the dependant of a Freemason from another Order you should contact them directly to discuss the assistance that might be available for you. If you do not know the relevant contact details we may be able to advise you.
If you contact Freemasonry Cares, we can advise you on how to find out if there is a Masonic connection. To help identify if the person concerned was a member of a Lodge under United Grand Lodge of England you will usually be required to provide details like their full name and date of birth.
No, Freemasonry Cares is only able to provide information on the help available to individuals. Some Masonic charities do make grants to charities. For information about grants to charities you should visit The Freemasons' Grand Charity's website or contact the Provincial Grand Lodge in your local area.
There is no limit on the number of times you can contact Freemasonry Cares. Even if you are already receiving support, if a new need arises we are happy to provide information on the support which might be available to you.
We will direct you to the Masonic Charity best able to assist with your particular need. They will then advise you on the application process.
The process for submitting an application will depend on which Charity you are applying to. You will be advised by the relevant Charity of its process for applying for the help you require.
Freemasonry Cares aims to respond to all queries within five working days, but you will usually hear sooner than this. If we have not contacted you to discuss your query within five working days then please contact us again.
Any application will be assessed by the Charity to which the application is to be made. The qualification criteria and application processes vary from Charity to Charity and you will be advised of the information relevant to you at the time of your application.
Freemasonry Cares is not involved in the review of applications for support. Once Freemasonry Cares has helped to identify which of the Masonic Charities can assist you, any questions regarding the concern or an application should be made direct to that Charity.
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies. It is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides. For further information about Freemasonry visit http://www.ugle.org.uk/
Not directly. Freemasonry Cares is a service provided by the central Masonic Charities which have a close relationship with United Grand Lodge of England but from which they remain independent.
No Freemasonry Cares is not a charity. It is a service provided by the central Masonic Charities to help people access and understand the range of support they offer. It does not itself provide the assistance and it is not involved in any of the Masonic charities' decision-making.
No. Freemasonry Cares is a service jointly provided by the central Masonic Charities, but it is not intended to replace them. The Charities will continue as independent organisations identifying opportunities for co-operation where it is to the benefit of their beneficiaries.
Freemasonry Cares is intended to support the work of the Almoner in identifying people who require the support of the Masonic Charities. When appropriate, enquiries continue to be directed to the Provincial Grand Almoner or Lodge Almoner for assistance. The Charities will continue to ensure the involvement of Almoners in their work.
Freemasonry Cares is a new service that was launched in 2009. During our initial pilot phase we received hundreds of enquiries, many of which resulted in help for a Freemason or their dependant. The initiative is now being rolled out across the country and the number of people making contact through Freemasonry Cares is growing. Together the central Masonic Charities support over 5,000 people every year at a total cost of more than £15 million.