Grants available up to £750
A new drive to give financial support to people who have become unable to work because of a long-term medical condition has been launched by the Royal Society for Home Support (RSHS).
Founded in 1805, the charity was known as the Royal Society for Home Relief to Incurables but last month was awarded a new royal charter to renew its first charter granted by King Edward VII in 1903.
Now, the newly renamed organisation is pledging to provide one-off grants of up to £750 or annuities of £750 per year to people unable to work due to chronic ill-health or disability.
“Our original royal charter pre-dated welfare state benefits and pension. The new charter allows us to focus our resources on those with long-term conditions in a modern 21st century context,” commented Barbara Finlayson, chair of RSHS.
“At the heart of our mission is the belief that everyone deserves to experience the comfort and security of home, regardless of health challenges. We understand that facing such conditions can be overwhelming, so we’re here to help and provide tailored financial solutions.”
RSHS is hopeful health and social care professionals will encourage people in their care to apply for financial support. Potential beneficiaries must meet certain criteria: applicants must be living in their own home in the EH postcode area, should be under state retirement age and will be mainly dependent on state benefits.
“Our focus is on the prevention or relief of poverty and to help those with ill-health or disability through grants or donations, so we are keen to attract suitable grant applications, added Mrs Finlayson.”
Welfare officer for RSHS, Averil Douglas, said: “We provided a grant to a person who had been forced to stop working so they could purchase essential household items such as a bed, wardrobe and TV.
“These might seem like small things but to someone who is suffering, as this person was, they can bring some comfort and much needed stability to an otherwise uncertain future.”
To help raise awareness of the charity’s activities a new website – www.rshs.org.uk – has been launched where applications can be submitted and donations made.
