Bro Stan Marut PPrJGD SLGR –Media Team member and editor for the Middlesex Cares team – provides a brief overview of the Middlesex Cares initiative which is fast approaching its third year.
It is almost three years since the launch of the Middlesex Cares initiative. The project, sponsored by R.W. Bro. David Allan, ProProvGM and driven by W. Bro. Ian Ferguson, APGM and W. Bro. Ivan Chu, ProvGAlm who examined the various areas where the Province might make further improvements in the care it could provide its members.
The main purpose of this project is to ensure every individual Mason and their immediate families are aware of and can quickly and easily access a range of proactive benefits and on demand support services.
Clicking on the link will open up a dedicated website that contains more information and practical guidance, enabling individual members to access the Middlesex Cares resources:
To directly support almoners, the team have also created a dedicated Almoners portal which can be accessed here:
https://mcf.pagetiger.com/Middlesex-Cares-Almoners-Hub
SEVEN PILLARS OF WISDOM OR IS THAT EIGHT?
Originally conceived as Seven Pillars there has been an additional very important Pillar which seeks to include the widows and partners of Middlesex Masons. This is the Acacia Club which is the responsibility of W. Bro Hugh Saville.
The Acacia Club recognises the needs of widows and encourages partners to participate in a range of social events. Our recent Middlesex Member survey showed that partners want to learn more and be included. Over one third of partners expressed an interest in joining a centre based hobby or club.
The Pillars provides resources in these eight distinct categories which can be identified as:
- Physical Well Being
- Development and Mental Health
- Financial
- Work and Family Balance
- Network and Friendship
- Travel and Transport
- Outreach
and the Eighth Pillar – The Acacia Club
These categories mirror the needs of our members and provide signposts and other assistance. Each Pillar has an “owner” who will drive the initiative forward. So, if a member of the Province had issues, say, with financial management and planning, or a difficulty with mental health both in a personal capacity or with a family member, there will be someone to provide guidance in how to move forward and resolve matters.
A meeting was held at Twickenham on the 11th of February where members of the Provincial Almoner’s Team including the Group Almoners and the Pillar Owners met to discuss progress of the Middlesex Cares initiative in their specific areas. The new team member Stan Marut was impressed by the knowledge and dedication of the attendees and the work that had been done so far in meeting the individual Pillar responsibilities.
However, the success of any enterprise relies on the participation of individuals in working with the Lodge or Chapter Almoners in highlighting their concerns and asking for help where needed. Therefore, please use the link shown above and find out the support available to you. Middlesex does Care and so does freemasonry in a broader context. Make sure you ask for the help you may need and make the project a continued success not just for you and your families but also for the team members who are dedicated to service on your behalf.
In the first two and half years, the team has:
- Engaged all centre chairpersons in initial discussions and secured their agreement to support the project by providing premises at no cost.
- Provided ongoing support to pillar owners through bimonthly team meetings and weekly individual sessions at Cole Court.
- Secured £10,000 in MPRF funding to establish websites, phone lines, and promotional materials, and to cover essential training and event costs.
- Launched the Middlesex Cares website and a dedicated phone line to connect the public directly with pillar owners.
- Designed and distributed fridge magnets featuring website information to all Craft and RA members via their secretaries.
- Organised annual PSA testing, funded by MMC and MPBF, to identify members at risk and support early intervention.
- Delivered two seminars at Twickenham and Harrow to enhance lodge almoners’ knowledge and skills.
- Delivered additional seminars on will‑writing, Powers of Attorney, fraud prevention, and financial planning, including life insurance, pensions, and retirement readiness.
- Developed an almoner’s hub to provide insight into MCF services and offer signposting for members seeking support.
- Established Gentlemen’s Clubs at all four centres, offering support for members’ mental health, and delivered Mental Health Awareness training at Twickenham and Harrow masonic centres.
- Conducted a survey of members’ hobbies to support the development of activity groups and events across masonic centres, helping increase engagement—particularly for those living alone.
- Hosted zoom seminars with a dementia‑care specialist for carers and members seeking further understanding of the condition.
Regular updates will be posted in Mercury so keep an eye out.
