76 year old Elaine retired from banking in the 1980’s with a very small pension. She recently applied for a grant through our support in later years programme to install central heating in her house as she only had two gas fires which did not heat her bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom. We confirmed that Elaine was not eligible for any further grants or statutory support and approved a grant of £2,000 to meet the cost of installing central heating in her house. Now Elaine enjoys a warm home during the cold winter and doesn’t have to worry about repaying the loan as this will happen when she moves house or when she dies.

Alice, aged 72, retired from banking after 32 years in 1992. As she has no savings, she didn’t know how she would cope when her boiler broke down. The Social Fund could not help as she did not have the right benefits package. And, with no family to support her, she was desperate. The Bankers Benevolent Fund gave a grant of £500 to cover the cost of essential repairs.

When we assessed Alice’s income, we discovered that she was existing on an income just above the official UK poverty level. So the Fund was also able to assist with a regular grant of £10 per week to ensure she can afford to go out occasionally to meet friends and so avoid being trapped at home.