We continued to support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society through our dedicated programmes
Every year, we work hard to help tackle some of society’s most important issues. To support Freemasonry in making an even greater impact, we focussed our support through two programmes that are responding to areas that are underfunded or overlooked: tackling loneliness and social isolation in later life and creating the best start in life for disadvantaged children and young people.
Through these two programmes, we are supporting projects such as elderly befriending and youth mental health services, as well as funding core running costs for smaller charities to ensure their services can continue – all of which are making a real difference to thousands of lives across England and Wales.
were awarded to charities tackling social
isolation and loneliness in later life,
at a total cost of
were awarded to charities supporting
disadvantaged children and young people
at a total cost of
Chief ExecutiveWe are very grateful to the Freemasons for their generous grant. Our vital service reduces unnecessary 'bed blocking' in hospitals, removing stress to the person and eases direct pressure on the NHS. Thanks to Freemasonry, we will be able to help more military veterans and the over-65s facing social isolation issues, to live independently in their own homes"
Defence Medical Welfare Service
Over the year, the MCF has continued Freemasonry’s support for pioneering medical research into degenerative diseases through eight new medical research PhD studentships, bring the total number of PhDs awarded to 18. From psychiatry in old age and breast cancer to hearing loss, our medical research funding is not only providing opportunities for the scientists of tomorrow, but playing a pivotal role in ground-breaking discoveries into some of society’s most prevalent degenerative diseases.
were awarded to fund PhD studentships,
at a total cost of
Sarah, University of Cambridge PhD studentI am enormously grateful to the Masonic Charitable Foundation for their support. Understanding how and why memory consolidation changes in Alzheimer’s disease could open the door for future research into targeted treatment of memory-related symptoms."
Our partnership with Hospice UK, established in 2018, built upon its funding for bereavement projects and began a new phase of funding hospice services and projects supporting the homeless and vulnerably-housed community – such as much-needed palliative and end-of-life care. Our hospice grant programme also continued to support core costs in local hospices, strengthening Freemasonry’s impact on the hospice sector across England and Wales.
were awarded to fund bereavement
projects and services for the homeless,
at a total cost of
Dr Carolyn Campbell, Cornwall Hospice CareWe are very grateful to the Freemasons for their generous grant, which will help us work collaboratively with Harbour Housing and St Austell Healthcare to give disadvantaged and vulnerable people, and those with complex needs, access to the same choices for their end of life care as everyone else."