RMBI Care Co.’s support scheme helps 100 people fulfil their care needs

Launched as a pilot in 2022, RMBI Care Co.’s advice and grant scheme provides north-west Freemasons and their families guidance and support when navigating the different options and challenges around care needs. The service has now officially provided support to 100 people. Hazel Salter, Older Persons’ Support Adviser, leads this service by offering advice and assistance on:

• Understanding the type of care a person may need and how to access it
• selecting a care home
• what to look for when someone visits a care home
• understanding Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) reports
• financial assessments and care home fees
• financial support that may be available if they are paying third-party top-ups towards the cost of care for a loved one.

Living in Sandbach, Cheshire, Hazel previously worked for both Citizens Advice and Age UK. As a Support Adviser, Hazel is well-placed to support Freemasons and their families through their care journey. Commenting on the milestone achievement, she says:

One of the great strengths of the service is that we are not ‘numbers driven’. This means that I can provide personalised support to every person that gets in touch and continue to for as long as they need me.

Supporting north-west Freemasons and their families

One of the scheme’s first beneficiaries, was a woman who was seeking support for her husband’s care needs. This included working with their Local Authority to seek financial assistance.

She says:

Over the last few months, my husband and I have had to make decisions about his future care. Having an Older Persons Support Adviser has made the whole process so much easier. Even if it’s a small concern, Hazel is always ready to help.

My husband now lives at an RMBI Care Co. Home and is very happy as a result of the caring staff there.

Hazel says:

I am so pleased that the gentleman has now moved in to one of our Homes. His wife now spends quality time with him, as care staff are on hand to support his needs.

Hazel remembers another case in which an older woman, associated with a north-west Province, wanted to move closer to her daughter, who lives in the south of England. Hazel says:

The higher cost of care in that area and liaising with the Local Authority made this person’s case quite lengthy.

I managed to work with the Local Authority to obtain the necessary assessments and, once they confirmed funding would support her in her chosen care home in the south-west, we approved a grant towards the cost of the third-party top-ups to support the family.

The daughter says:

We finally managed to get mum moved closer to us. Thank you for all you did pushing the council!

Contact details

If you have connections to the Cheshire, Lancashire or Cumberland & Westmorland Provinces and need information or support and guidance regarding care, please call Hazel Salter on 07717 019752 or email hsalter@rmbi.org.uk.

[Summary: RMBI Care Co.’s advice and grant scheme provides north-west Freemasons and their families guidance and support when navigating the different options and challenges around care needs. The service has now officially provided support to 100 people. Launched as a pilot, the service is currently relevant to the Provinces of Cheshire, Lancashire or Cumberland & Westmorland.]