The Benevolent Fund of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Trust is a charity that provides support to midwives in times of need.

The Fund is managed by a Committee, which regularly considers requests for help and works throughout the year awarding grants to those in need.  All matters are treated in strict confidence.  Most people who seek help contact the Fund directly, although some are referred by relatives, friends, colleagues, social workers/other charities.  In addition, during the Christmas period, cheques are sent to long-standing elderly midwife members, who it is felt are on low pensions and in some financial need.

Unfortunately, the Fund is not large enough to provide regular financial support, nor can it act as a top-up for low salaries or student midwives’ bursaries, although it is able to advise on other sources of help.  The Fund is designed to assist midwives, many of whom have nowhere else to turn, who find themselves facing critical financial difficulties.   A few examples of the many requests where the Fund has been able to help recently are with house refurbishment costs due to extensive damage caused by a midwife’s partner ; keeping a car taxed/insured to enable a family to visit their terminally ill mother; and helping a midwife avoid home repossession by raising an urgent cheque to be presented at a court appearance.

Funding

The Fund relies totally on the support of midwives and friends of the Trust.  Legacies and donations from RCM branches and individual members go directly to assisting those experiencing hardship.  Some RCM branches consider an annual donation at the time of their AGM, other energetic individuals undertake fund-raising activities such as sponsored runs and walks .  Only with this constant support can the Benevolent Fund continue its vital work.

There are several ways of making a donation to the Fund:

• Cash or cheque made payable to the Benevolent Fund of the RCM Trust

• Gift Aid:  this method is worth more to the Fund as tax can be reclaimed on the amount paid, at no extra cost to the donator.  Individuals can gift aid a regular amount if they wish

• Bequest or legacy:  Individuals can make provision for the Fund within their Will

• Payroll giving Scheme:  Employees can authorise their employers to deduct an amount from their pay and arrange for it to be paid to the Fund.  Again, tax can be reclaimed on this

Further information/help on either applying to the Fund or donating to the Fund:

Please call 0207 312 3535 and ask to be put through to the Administrator to the Benevolent Fund, or write to:

Administrator of the Benevolent Fund of the RCM Trust

Royal College of Midwives Trust

15 Mansfield Street

London

W1G 9NH

Downloadables:

Benevolent Fund Application Form

Further Information and Contacts