ROH Benevolent Fund

What It Is

The Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund provides confidential advice, support and financial assistance to those past and present employees of the Royal Opera House (and their dependants) who need help.

Many have given a lifetime of service to the House and have contributed to bringing pleasure to millions. If, for whatever reason, they face hard times and find it difficult to manage, the Fund can come to their aid.

An Independent Charity

The Fund is an independent charity (number 200002).

It is neither funded by nor managed by the Royal Opera House, but governed by Trustees, all of whom have relevant specialist knowledge and an interest in the Royal Opera House. It is administered from an office within the Royal Opera House by a Secretary and a Welfare Office. They work in close co-operation with the House's Occupational Health Advisor.

Who We Help

The Benevolent Fund is able to provide financial or other assistance to people who are in need and deserve help - usually in circumstances where someone cannot afford the things in life that most people take for granted.

Those eligible are:

• Employees, past or present, of either the Royal Opera House Covent Garden or the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

• Spouses, widows, widowers, partners, children, parents or dependants of any such employees or former employees.
(Please note that there is no requirement to have contributed to the Fund to receive help)

How We Help

Help might take the form of a monthly allowance, an interest-free loan or a one-off grant towards essential house maintenance, domestic equipment, urgent medical costs or even educational fees in preparing for a new start in life.

Each case is treated on its merits and involves the applicant submitting a confidential application for help, together with a statement of income and expenditure.Some eligible individuals are understandably reluctant to ask for help and the Benevolent Fund is happy to receive confidential initial approaches from friends or colleagues.

The Trustees of the Fund carefully consider each case according to an approved set of charitable guidelines designed to ensure consistency in the help provided.

How You Can Help

 There are a number of ways in which you could help the work of the Fund:

• Make a one-off donation.
• Make a regular donation.
• Make a regular donation by Give-As-You-Earn.
• Complete a Gift Aid declaration
• Leave a legacy to the Fund in your will.

All donations and legacies will be allocated to the Investment Funds.

General Donations

A donation to the Fund of any amount would be most welcome. Cheques should be made payable to "The Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund". You can also make a regular donation by standing order or direct debit. Please contact the Fund for the necessary forms.

Give-As-You-Earn

Through the Payroll Giving Scheme, you can ask your employer to deduct a specific amount from your pay to give to a charity or charities as a donation. This is treated as a pre-tax deduction. In other words, if you are a standard rate taxpayer and wish to give the Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund £10, it will only cost you £8.00. This can be set up as a regular monthly deduction.

Gift Aid

Provided you are a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid allows the Fund to reclaim any tax paid on your contribution. A donation of £10 could be increased to £12.50 at no extra cost to yourself. If you would like to boost your donation in this way, please click on the link below and email or post the completed form.

Legacies, both large and small, make a real difference. Did you know that seven out of ten people in the UK have not made a Will? If you die without having a Will it can often lead to difficulties and distress for those left behind.With rising house prices, most people have greater assets than they imagine and leaving gifts to charities in your Will can help reduce any tax liability. It also gives you an opportunity to give help which, perhaps, you could not afford during your lifetime.

Testimonials

"I was a cleaner at the Opera House for over eight years. The Fund has really changed my life! From home comforts to personal care and clothing - without this help and kindness I would not be where I am today. And not just material things, but a better health routine - being able to buy better quality food along with vitamins for body health. The Fund has been very important to me and I hope it is able to continue its great work in helping others."
Betty Mathieson (Betty died on 25 February 2006)

"I am a member of the Royal Opera House costume department. My son has hearing problems and so had difficulties acquiring speech and language. The Benevolent Fund helped me with the cost of speech therapy at just the right time. It was very important that help was given as early as possible as it was a crucial time for learning, making friends and acquiring social skills. The Fund's help during this period was invaluable and its support enabled us to help close the gap between him and his classmates. The result is a happy boy who can now communicate what he wants, thinks and feels. Without the Fund's help we would not have been able to finance the level of speech therapy needed. We will always be grateful for their help and support."
Anonymous

"I have worked at the Royal Opera House most of my life. Unhappily, I suffered frequent, debilitating episodes of clinical depression culminating in three unsuccessful attempts on my life. Thankfully I found the treatment that completely turned my life around which The Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund helped me to pay for. Thank God for this assistance."
Anonymous

"I have been a member of the Royal Opera House props department for 22 years but retired for health reasons in December 2004. In October 2003 I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which is cancer of the bone marrow.  When you are diagnosed with a terminal illness it's a huge shock, as you never imagine it could happen to you. Obviously you don't worry about finances initially - until your sick pay ends! Without the help and support of the Benevolent Fund, everyday living would have been very difficult indeed. I would like to thank all concerned for their continued support - they do a fantastic job!"
Phil Dovey (Phil died on 5 January 2008