RMBI Chief Executive - Peter J Gray

"Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master and Brethren. I am pleased to again have an opportunity to address Grand Lodge on our care work and developments at the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

"A great deal has happened over the past 12 months as we have continued to improve the quality of our caring and the environment at our homes, in order to meet life’s ever changing requirements and older peoples’ expectations and aspirations.

"Many of you may recall that our 1,400 employees, that equates to 730 full time posts, are involved in the RMBI’s direct care provision and that a review of each employee’s Terms and Conditions was being undertaken during the year to ensure that they are both relevant and up to date.

"I can report that this massive and at times daunting exercise, has been completed and is assisting in both retaining and recruiting best staff and is moving the RMBI to being “the employer of choice” throughout the care industry. Prior to this review, as with many organisations, we were increasingly reliant upon expensive agency staff, but now each month there has been an encouraging and consistent reduction in their use, which is good for our resident’s quality of life, as well as creating cost savings.

"We have also completed the introduction of fees banded to the level of care being provided, benchmarking our fees to other local homes. This has been well received at all our Homes and makes us more competitive in the market place as well as being fairer to our residents, all of whom need care and half receive your support through an allowance towards their fees. Please remember that even if a resident’s financial circumstances change, and they cannot meet their outgoings, the RMBI guarantees their care and continued occupation for the rest of their life.

"May I remind you that the RMBI provides other services through our care advice visiting team and a free-phone advice line which complement the work of the almoners. We also provide an annual holiday scheme for those in need, and a capital release fund for home improvements to enable older Brethren or their widows to remain in their own homes.

"Moving onto our Care Homes, last year, I mentioned concern about the now inappropriate design of some buildings, and thereby the uneconomic operation of several Homes, referring to the need to modernise or extend some, and to replace a few, preferably on existing sites, in order that we may have up to date environments in which to provide the best care and a very pleasant atmosphere in which our residents should live.

"To this end, a Capital Plan has been developed and finalised, which together with some existing capital works has recently been reported to all Provincial Grand Masters by the RMBI’s President, John Moore. This new Capital Plan is both imaginative and adventurous and the President will shortly provide more detail on this subject.

"To apprise the Craft of progress in all areas more frequent newsletters are to be circulated by the RMBI in the coming year.

"Efficiencies in our management continue to be made without affecting the high quality of standards of care. These have included refining the management structures at our homes and the releasing of the space occupied by the Property Department at Chislehurst, this now provides an additional 4 modern en-suite care rooms. The Property Department has moved into the RMBI offices in London and all of these actions have created financial savings.

"Ever since my appointment in 2001 I have strived to co-locate all my central staff in one office and also to find ways for the Masonic Charities to work much closer together. So far this aspiration has not been totally achieved, but as many of you may be aware, the possibility of locating the Charities within Freemasons Hall is currently being planned and once achieved will create tremendous opportunities for better co-ordinated working and easier accessibility to the Charities, for members of the Craft.

"I referred earlier to all residents needing care and also to half of them requiring charitable support which comes from the Festival System, appeals and your individual donations. The cost of care is rising everywhere in the Country and whilst the Brethren are very generous, the predicted income over the next few years, to meet the Charitable Support to our residents, is unlikely to keep up with those costs. The RMBI is therefore strengthening its campaign for donations from all sources, especially by gift aid. I am very pleased with the support we are receiving from lodges in London and delighted that they are to focus on the RMBI for the next few years.

"Our fundraising campaigns have not fallen on deaf ears and I know that our President, when he speaks to you in a few moments will expand on this area.

"In conclusion this past 12 months has been very successful not only due to the improvements as I have reported, but especially for our residents who from the feedback in letters, telephone conversations and direct discussions that I have had with them and their relatives, confirm that our caring and loving staff ensure that they are able to live with dignity in some of the best quality caring environments in the Country."

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