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The French Benevolent Society is mostly concerned with older French people. It helps a number financially on a regular monthly basis, and also allocates extra funds in winter to contribute to the heating bills. It also gives one-off payments to help those in temporary difficulty.

The Society, in association with ‘Londres Accueil’ has set up a group of volunteers who regularly visit elderly, isolated people.

The Society is also involved with prisoners and pays for subscriptions to French magazines for the libraries of eight prisons where French nationals are detained. The financing of this project is shared by the Society and the Federation of French Associations in London.

Other recent examples of the Society’s services include:

• taking an elderly handicapped lady to see her family in Paris
• organising the celebrations of a 100th birthday
• helping a homeless man with clothes, food, means of transport and assistance in dealing with social services and employment agencies.

Resources

The Society is funded by membership from individuals and companies; a grant from the French Government; donations from individuals, companies and charitable trusts; and income from its investments.

Statutes

The Society is a Friendly Society, registration BEN no 21. It is under the control of the Registrar of Friendly Societies and the Financial Services Authority.

Management

An Executive Committee of eight members and three Trustees supervise the activities of the French Benevolent Society. It is organised on a daily basis by an administrator.