The Annual Charity Stewards and Almoners Conference took place at the Bury St Edmunds Masonic Centre, Ashlar House, Suffolk, on Sunday 13th October 2024. The theme of the conference was ‘Gratefully Received and Faithfully Applied’.
One hundred twenty-three people attended the event, which included representatives from the three charities, Bows and Arrows, Restore and Families Together, who had been awarded grants from the Province and the MCF.
Having received an update from the Provincial Charity Steward Jon Neill and Provincial Almoner Jamie Gwatkin, delegates received a presentation from the MCF Relief Chest Manager Dilhani Jayasinghe on how lodges could efficiently use the Relief Chest and the use of Gift Aid Envelopes.
The conference also received presentations on the valuable work provided by the three charities within their communities and how the funding they had received would allow them to either continue or even expand their offer. Bows and Arrows explained that they provided family support to children and their families of over 1000 children, and their funding of over £40,000 would enable them to employ a family practitioner.
Restore, which provides support to victims of domestic violence, said that the £15,000 they received would enable them to continue to operate satellite offices for victims who could not afford to travel to their main office.
Families Together received £59,000, which they said would support their SEND work, which supports children with special educational needs.
All the charities emphasised that the conference had been very beneficial in helping them to appreciate the valuable contribution Masons make to their local communities.
Mike Urey from St Elizabeth Hospice spoke about Compassionate Conversations, which included useful tips on supporting people experiencing grief or terminal health challenges.
The conference also heard from Brethren about how funding from the Suffolk and then MCF had really helped them with individual health issues, which enabled them to improve their quality of life and allowed them to continue to attend Lodge meetings.
Jamie Gwatkin told the conference that this conference would be his last as Chair, he said he had been privileged to have been appointed to such a valuable role, with assistance from the Group Almoner Team members and Lodge Almoners present and past they had been involved in the following;
- 343 Awards made
- 466 beneficiaries reached
- £1.8M MCF support distributed
- Group Almoner Team developed
- Almoner Recognition (Year of the Almoner 2022)
- Induction Training & Resources
- Mental Wellbeing Awareness
- Emergency Fund started
- Cornwallis Court £16M redevelopment
- Widows Groups started/restarted
- Military Veterans support
- Commendation of Caring Award
- Mobility Equipment (Loan) Scheme
- Very Good Friend
- Suffolk CARE Initiative
One of his proudest projects has been the support to Military Veterans in partnership with The Not Forgotten military charity, in 2024 five military veterans days were held thought the UK. Jamie will continue to work with in the incoming Provincial Almoner and other Provinces to continue to delivery and expand this outstanding project.
