One of the core charitable foundations that all Freemasons support and contribute to is the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF). One of four central masonic charities that joined together in 2016 to form the MCF was The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company (commonly referred to as RMBI).
Today RMBI Care Co. has 18 care homes in England and Wales and supports older Freemasons, their families and people in the wider community with residential care, nursing and residential dementia support.
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution started life as the Royal Masonic Benevolent Annuity Fund, found bye Grand Lodge, for men in 1842 and for females in 1849. In 1850, the first Home was opened in East Croydon and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) was established. The Home remained in Croydon for over 100 years until 1955 when it was transferred to Harewood Court in Hove after identifying the need for bigger premises.
The RMBI Care home nearest to The Lodge of Dawn is Connaught Court in York. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, Connaught Court is located close to York city and provides residential care, nursing and residential dementia support, and can support up to 94 residents with permanent care or short stay respite breaks.
The RMBI has created a video to showcase Connaught Court, see below. You can meet the staff, residents, and have a snoop around the place;
Residents can benefit from extensive grounds and inner courtyards, including a summer house, vegetable gardens and an area where chickens are kept. Other resident pets include birds, fish, a cat and dog. Ebor is one of the Dementia Support Houses, opening in 2020 and focuses on a holistic approach to dementia care. The specialist area has a sensory room, assistive technology including smart speakers, iPads and memory boxes. Regular activities include outdoor music performances to movie nights, visits from local schoolchildren, gentle sports, gardening, arts and crafts and games. A minibus supports residents to stay connected with their communities, from trips to York city centre to visits to museums, gardens and other areas of interest.
For me information about Connaught Court click here.
Charitable giving is a key part of masonic life. You can read more about The Lodge of Dawn’s charitable activity here.
If you are not a Freemason and would like to find out more read our Seven Reason to Join The Freemasons or our simple ‘What is Freemasonry?’ guide.
And if you would like to join The Lodge of Dawn in Leeds, please feel free to get in touch via our ‘Contact Us’ page.