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Welfare Grants (edited
from article in Journal 157) One
of the functions which ia endeavours to carry out is to provide
financial support when a member is experiencing difficulties in this area,
particularly in the case of new ileostomists. Before
stating the criteria for applicants, I should perhaps mention that our Welfare
Fund has very limited resources, and therefore priorities
have been set as to who may receive assistance. Firstly,
applicants must be full members of ia. A simple application form needs to be completed, on which
brief details of the member’s personal status is required, and full details of
his/her financial situation. The member organisation (ie. local group) to which the applicant
belongs also needs to be stated. Naturally
all of this information is treated in the strictest confidence, and only
goes beyond me when the amount involved requires sanctioning by others.
Permission is sought from the applicant before this happens. As
a general rule, priorities for granting financial assistance are as follows:- 1.
Help immediately following surgery, including convalescence. 2.
Recuperative holidays. 3.
Assistance with expenses not payable by the DSS or
Benefits Agency. Most
members who have received grants in the past have already been in receipt of
State benefit(s). As we all know, amounts paid in benefits are fairly basic, and
ia’s objective is, where possible, to supplement any shortfall,
or pay for essential items which are not covered by the State (eg. clothing, or
bedding etc. where a new ileostomist might be experiencing “accidents” in
the early days after surgery). Normally,
the Association seeks to make single “one-off” grants to help where
necessary, rather than regular on-going financial support. In some cases (eg. for elderly ileostomists) it is
appropriate to refer the applicant on to Kingston Trust, with which organisation
ia has enjoyed a close relationship for many years. Having
given the above information, each case is looked at on its own merits. If,
therefore, you feel you need help from the Fund, do make enquiries from me.
I am aware that many people do not like to ask for charitable help. To
those I would say we are a mutual-aid association with the aim of
helping fellow members in any way we can, which of course includes financial
help in genuine hardship situations. Please contact me if you require an application form to be sent out
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