We awarded £40,000 to Emmaus UK to help expand their vital work to overcome homelessness and social exclusion.

Emmaus UK supports people to work their way out of homelessness, providing meaningful work as well a stable home for as long as someone needs it.

For many people who have experienced homelessness, losing their self-esteem can be the most damaging part of the experience.

Emmasus UK gives people the opportunity to reflect on their lives, deal with any issue they may have, re-establish relationships and reintegrate into society.

Simon Grainge, Chief Executive at Emmaus UK said:

“The funding that we have received from the Masonic Charitable Foundation is being used to strengthen the support services we offer to local Emmaus communities. We’re very grateful to have received this generous grant and look forward to using it to help more and more people rebuild their lives.”

Emmaus started in France shortly after the Second World War, when homelessness was a big issue. In 1992, the first Emmaus community opened in the UK and there are now 24 communities stretching from Glasgow to Dover.

For more information about the charity, please visit Emmaus UK’s website.

Tommy, was diagnosed with a heart condition but faced a wait of at least six months for surgery

“Dad went for a pre-op assessment for a minor operation. During the tests, the doctors realised he had a heart murmur. He was sent for an emergency scan, but five months of further tests followed before he was told that the condition was the result of a birth defect that hadn’t ever been picked up, and he needed an aortic valve replacement.

 “He was transferred over to the surgeon’s waiting list – he was looking at a 12 week wait to see the surgeon himself, and then at least another five months before operation would be carried out.

“His health was deteriorating before my eyes: he was out of breath all the time and extremely tired – he was plodding along, but struggling.”

“Dad was stubborn, embarrassed even. He felt others were worse off than him and didn’t want to ask, but then he fell ill during a Lodge meeting and his Brethren stepped in.

The Advice & Support Team helped us with the forms and the whole process was plain and simple. Everyone involved was very courteous. Me and Mum burst into tears when we got the letter to say that the grant to fund Dad’s operation had been approved. It was a weight lifted.

“After the operation, the surgeon said that Dad wouldn’t be here if we’d waited six more months. Until then, they hadn’t realised how bad his heart condition truly was.

“Dad’s doing brilliantly now. He’s just going back to work and is looking forward to his first Masonic meeting.

“I want to say ‘thank you’. You’ve not just helped Dad – you’ve  changed our family life for the better. The four of us are the only family we have   and we are now able to do more together.”

When Chloe’s injury threatened to put an end to her dancing dream, we funded surgery to get her back on her feet

“Dancing is all I have ever done. I’ve had many injuries over the years but I never had to stop doing what I love. Then, two years ago, I woke up in agony in my left foot – I tried to walk and fell to the floor. The doctors carried out lots of tests and scans and eventually I was told I needed an operation.

“I went to the GP and was referred for lots of different scans and tests, but nothing was diagnosed. Again, the pain went away so I continued with my dancing training. I joined a specialist performing arts sixth form.

“During a dance competition, I ran across the stage and suddenly heard a loud ‘bang’. I wondered what the sound was, but as they say ‘the show must go on’ so I continued to perform, despite being in agony. After the competition, I had to rest my foot for six weeks – once the swelling had gone down, I discovered I no longer had an arch in my foot. Doctors then realised that the pain I had been experiencing was because my arch had been slowly collapsing.

“It became a serious problem. I could no longer dance properly. I couldn’t jump, I had no balance and couldn’t stand on one leg without falling over. Every time I tried to dance, my foot would swell up.

“I was then granted a full scholarship to Urdang, the best school for dance in the country. The previous year, I had been offered a place without funding which wasn’t an option as I couldn’t afford the fees. After I was offered the scholarship, I went to see the Urdang physiotherapists, but they didn’t know what was wrong and sent me home because I couldn’t dance.

“Finally, a specialist diagnosed that my arch had collapsed and that my spring ligament was overstretched. Unable to dance, I was forced to leave Urdang but, hopeful that I would be able to recover, I deferred my place for a year.

“I waited and waited for a date for the operation but months passed and I heard nothing. The consultant said my best bet would be to go private but we couldn’t afford it.

“My injury took a toll on everything I love. I thought it was the end of my dream.”

“Then, the Almoner from my dad’s Lodge put me in touch with the Masonic Charitable Foundation. I had my operation earlier this year. The prognosis is that I will be able to dance again and I hope to rejoin Urdang next year.”

“I can’t put into words how grateful I am. I wish I could sit down and personally thank everyone who has helped in any way – those who donate, the Almoners, the staff… I am eternally grateful.”

Every year, the Foundation supports hundreds of widows like Gladys. Our offer of support for a Freemason’s family does not end once he has passed away.

“Oh, I am so grateful,” says Gladys, her bright blue eyes crinkling around the edges as she smiles.

We are in a care home, sat in the bright and airy bedroom that Gladys calls her own. A comfortable-looking green armchair takes pride of place in the centre of the room. The chair is positioned facing a window which overlooks the London skyline.

“In my nineties, I wasn’t able to go upstairs in my house anymore,” says Gladys, who recently celebrated her 103rd birthday. “After my husband died, I lived in the kitchen. I had terrible back trouble and used an easy chair, but eventually it wore out. I didn’t have enough money to heat the house, let alone buy a new chair.”

Gladys’ husband was a Freemason. He was introduced to the Craft by the owner of the company at which he worked for his whole life.

It was Gladys’ nephew, Ron – also a Freemason – that took the first step in seeking help when Gladys needed it.

He contacted his Lodge Almoner who visited Gladys and put her in touch with the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

Gladys talks fondly of her Almoner, Sassoon. She says: “He is a lovely, friendly man. He made a big fuss of me on my recent birthday!”

Initially, Gladys was reluctant to ask for help. She and her husband had always been self-sufficient and she felt that there were more deserving cases. But Gladys was told that the Foundation exists for cases just like hers and once she understood that her mobility needs and financial situation made her eligible for support, she agreed to apply.

“The application process was so simple,” says Gladys.

“I was never made to feel that I was asking for help.”

We provided Gladys with a rise and recline chair within a few weeks. When she moved into the care home she took it with her.

“I spend part of most evenings in my chair and sleep in it every night,” says Gladys. “I honestly don’t know what I’d do without it. It has made all the difference to my later years.”

Every year, the Foundation supports hundreds of widows like Gladys. Our offer of support for a Freemason’s family does not end once he has passed away.

Davies Family

When Clare’s marriage ended, she was left alone to care for her children, Henry, Polly, Flora and Oscar, who were all under the age of eight at the time. With an unexpectedly reduced income and sole responsibility for childcare, Clare wasn’t sure how they would manage. It was a very stressful time for the whole family, made worse when they lost their house soon after.

“I had no home, no husband and no money. I truly did not know how I was going to cope. But then my local Lodge Almoner got in touch and told me about the Masonic Charitable Foundation.”

We provided a package of support to alleviate the financial pressure the family was facing and reduce the negative impact on the children’s education. The package included grants towards daily living costs and specific grants for school trips, computers and extra-curricular activities. Our support meant Clare’s children had access to the same opportunities as their friends.

Clare’s voice emanates pride when she talks about all that her children have achieved.

“Who knows how life would have turned out without the Foundation’s  support? We had nothing, but despite the odds and having had such a tough time, they’ve all done so well! Henry and Polly have both graduated from university; Henry hopes to be an Olympic Standard Coach by the time he is 25 and Polly is pursuing a career in mental health nursing. Flora is currently studying in Bournemouth and Oscar hopes to attend university this year.”

We have supported the Davies family for 15 years and our support will continue until they no longer need us.

Inspire foundation

We awarded £65,000 to the INSPIRE Foundation to fund research which aims to improve the quality of life and independence of those living with spinal cord injuries.

The project will be led by research scientist Sean Doherty who broke his neck in a mountain bike accident in 2008. Sean and his team hope to develop wearable stimulation devices to control bladder and bowel as an alternative to pharmaceutical therapies.

While the inability to walk is often considered the most challenging consequence of spinal cord injury, the loss of control of bladder and bowel is often the most difficult to manage, and can have a persistent and detrimental effect on health, welfare and quality of life.

Throughout the UK, there are around 40,000 people living with a spinal cord injury and it is hoped that this project will have a huge impact on the lives of those affected.

Bill’s story

“I had trouble with my eyes for a long, long time. I saw a specialist at the hospital and they told me that I had cataracts, but there was a very long waiting list for treatment at the hospital – the specialist said it would be at least six months and to be honest at the age of 85 I wasn’t sure I would last that long.

“Since my wife, Nancy, died, I’m on my own which I find very difficult. My computer is my way of keeping in touch with the outside world but eventually my cataracts meant I was unable to use it. I also use my computer to run a website featuring stories about my 39 years in the British Army.

“I was Almoner of my Lodge for many years so when I realised I needed support, I got in touch with the Foundation directly. The application process was absolutely brilliant. The Advice and Support Team helped me to fill out the forms and the Grants team took it from there.

“I have been overwhelmed with the help I have received. My operation was earlier this year, almost straight away after I applied. I made a contribution towards the cost from my savings and the Foundation paid the rest.

“I’m getting on brilliantly now. I can go all day without wearing glasses except when I’m reading. It has made a huge difference and I feel a lot more comfortable. Being on my own, my computer is very important to me for my hobbies and keeping in touch with the outside world.

“If I could say anything to the Masonic Charitable Foundation I would say ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you!’ The help they have given me is without equal.”